COPPER MINING: Improvements steady at Copper Mountain

BRITISH COLUMBIA – Operations are improving steadily since the opening of the Copper Mountain mine 20 km south of Princeton, reports owner Copper Mountain Mining of Vancouver. The official opening ceremony was held on Sept. 1, 2012, and during the last quarter of this year, the company expects to increase copper production to 20 million lb thanks to milling improvements.

The mill is averaging 35,000 t/d with a head grade of 0.35% Cu. New SAG mill grates, changes to the ball mill motor, and repairs to the tailings line all played a part in boosting throughput. As well, improved blasting techniques, finer crushing, improved ore blending and modified operation procedures, coupled with the more favorable operating time have allowed the mill to operate at 97% availability. The average throughput for the last five days of August was 37,210 t/d.

Watch the entire Copper Mountain project take shape in a five-minute video at CuMtn.com.