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History
During the period 1987 to 1993, Cyprus Minerals ("Cyprus") operated a 2,500 ton per day open-pit mine at Copperstone that produced 500,000 ounces of gold from the Copperstone fault. The mine was closed at the economic limit of open-pit mining in 1993.
Cyprus' total mine production was 6,000,000 tons at a grade of 0.11 ounces/ton (3.8 g/t) gold with gold recovery for the life of mine of 89%. The strip ratio of the pit was 10:1. Cyprus drilled 496 reverse circulation and 73 core holes for a total of 569 holes.
Following the mine closure in 1993, Cyprus reclaimed the tailings pond and removed the Carbon-in-Pulp mill. The office, shop and warehouse facilities remain at the site. Furthermore, the 69 kv power line and substation remains in service, together with the three water wells with a 200 hp pumping capacity.
Aerial site view showing old Cyprus open-pit, waste dumps, old tailings site & remaining site facilities
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