Huckleberry Mine
Huckleberry's mill feed continues to come from the Main Zone Extension pit, and a further expansion (the "Pushback Plan) of this pit will provide feed for milling operations to January 2014. This plan includes low grade stockpiles providing a significant portion of the mill feed, and as a result, 2011 copper production will decline to about 39 million pounds.
| Huckleberry Production | Planned 2011* | 2010 | 2009 |
| Copper (lbs) | 39,000,000 | 45,510,000 | 45,931,532 |
| Gold (oz) | 2,800 | 3,195 | 3,482 |
| Silver (oz) | 188,000 | 223,557 | 266,940 |
| Molybdenum (lbs) | n/a | 84,027 | 14,467 |
A new mine plan for extending the mine life by expanding the Main Zone pit is currently being developed. A study, which includes the construction of a new tailings storage facility, is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2011. The mine plan will include the mining of the resource located below the Main Zone pit.
The current reserve estimate incorporates open pit mining of the Main Zone Extension, including the Pushback Plan, and reflects twelve months of mine production since the December 31, 2009 estimate.
Main Zone Extension Pushback as at December 31, 2010:
Proven/Probable Mineral Reserves: 11.75 million tonnes grading 0.359% copper
The Huckleberry mine is 123 kilometres southwest of Houston, British Columbia. The property consists of a mining lease covering approximately 1,911 hectares, and 37 mineral claims encompassing approximately 19,366 hectares. The claims and mineral leases are contiguous.
For additional information, refer to the Company's Quarter Reports, or Annual Information Form, or the following technical report:
- Huckleberry Mine - Technical Report on the Main Zone Optimization NEW