VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 26, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Imperial Metals Corporation (the enterprise”) III reports that Red Chris (100%) metals production for the third quarter of 2022 was 19.2 million pounds of copper and 17,513 ounces of gold, down 13% and 10% respectively from 22.0 million pounds of copper and 19,540 ounces of gold corresponds to those produced in the second quarter of 2022.
Gold production of 17,513 ounces was lower than the previous period due to lower recovery and throughput. Recovery is expected to improve in the December quarter of 2022 as various improvement initiatives are nearing completion, including the purification column expansion project. Gold grade was consistent with the previous period. Copper production decreased 13% due to lower throughput and grade. Mined copper and gold grades are expected to decrease as phase 5 mining is now complete.
Imperial’s 30% share of second quarter production was 5.75 million pounds of copper and 5,254 ounces of gold.
Production at Mount Polley was 2.4 million pounds of copper and 5,084 ounces of gold in the third quarter. 984,814 tons were ground in the third quarter. Throughput increased steadily from 7,268 tpd in July to 11,079 tpd in August and 13,868 tpd in September. Further increases in throughput were hampered by the tenon machining required to repair the Pebble Mill 3. This work has been completed and Pebble Mill 3 was commissioned in early October. All eight mills in the milling circuit are now operational and we look forward to increasing mill throughput.
Red Chris Exploration Update
Up to seven diamond drill rigs were operational during the quarter. An additional 20,926 meters was drilled in 27 holes with all holes intersecting mineralization. Approximately 50,000 meters of drilling from eight drill rigs is planned for the second half of 2022. Two of the drill rigs are drilling from underground stations along exploration…
