COPPER: Capstone increases reserves and planned production at Mexican copper project

MEXICO – Capstone Mining released today positive results of an updated technical report for its Cozamin mine, located north-northwest of Zacatecas City in the Mexican north-central state of the same name. Cozamin is a polymetallic underground mine with a surface milling facility. According to the updated report on the operation, proven and probable mineral reserves increased significantly compared to what was reported by the end of 2017. The reported growth is of 89%, to 6.2 million tonnes grading 1.60% copper. On the other hand, results of a materials handing study show a 30% increase in expected throughput to 3,780 t/d by the end of 2020, with an estimated investment of less than $5 million. The anticipated result is an increase in annual production to between 40 million to 45 million pounds of copper. The document prepared by the Vancouver-based miner shows that inferred mineral resource grew to 17 million tonnes at a copper grade of 1.11%, including 9.5 million tonnes at 1.61% in the Mala Noche Footwall zone. “The Cozamin mine continues to be a valuable asset for Capstone and formed the foundation upon which we built our company,” said Darren Pylot, president and CEO of Capstone, in a press brief. “Since commencing production at 1,000 t/d in 2006, Cozamin has demonstrated a remarkable ability to continue to discover and define new reserves. Today, more than 12 years and approximately 12 million milled tonnes later, we announce the next step in Cozamin’s evolution. The combination of the new reserves, as well as the significantly increased inferred resources, give us the confidence to make additional investment to increase Cozamin’s production profile,” he added. This story first appeared on www.Mining.com.