First new Southeast copper mine since 1998 opens near Princeton

Mining is returnikaolin mining business planng to the Princeton region as the Copper Mountain Mine celebrated its grand opening Friday. The mine brings jobs to the area and benefits the entire province.

Having started production in June 2011, Copper Mountain is the third-largest copper mine in Canada and the first major-metals mine to open in British Columbia since 1998. The 7,285-hectare (18,000-acre) site is located 20 km south of the town of Princeton and is expected to produce approximately 2.27 billion kilograms (five billion pounds) of copper over its life. When fully operating, the mine will provide about 270 mining jobs in the Princeton area. The B.C. mining sector hit $7.9 billion in gross revenues in 2010, returning to 2008 historic levels after rebounding in recent years. The Province granted Copper Mountain an operating permit in April 2010. The mine life is estimated to be about...