YUKON - Production from Phase Two of the Minto copper-gold project, the first new metal mine and mill in a decade in this territory, has exceeded its 2,400-t/d design capacity several times since completion. Owner SHERWOOD COPPER of Vancouver says the Phase Two commissioning was completed less than three months after construction was complete, and Phase Three of the mill expansion is around the corner.
During the four weeks leading up to April 12, the mill throughput averaged 2,336 t/d with average head grades of 4.5% Cu and 20 g/t Ag. Copper recoveries of 93.5% and concentrate grades, at 42.8% Cu, were above design targets. Individual day highs during this period include mill throughput of 2,642 tonnes, copper recoveries of 97% and concentrate grades of 47% Cu, showing that there is still room to fully optimize plant performance by achieving a higher level of performance on a sustained basis, says Sherwood.
The company says that because the gold content of the concentrates is assayed offsite, those results are not yet available.
Sherwood aims to produce about 55 million lb of copper and 244,000 oz of gold from the Minto mine during 2008. The company's website at www.SherwoodCopper.com contains both photo and map galleries for the Minto project.
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