Imperial Provides Update on Mount Polley 2025 Production and Exploration
Executive Summary
- 2025 Mount Polley production delivered 30.715 M lb Cu (above the 25‑27 M lb target) and 37,555 oz Au (within the 35‑40 k oz target).
- Production volumes were flat year‑over‑year in ore milled but copper grades and recoveries fell, resulting in a 14% decline in Cu pounds and a 4% decline in Au ounces versus 2024.
- Extensive 2025 Phase 2 drilling at Mount Polley returned multiple near‑surface and deep intercepts of significant copper–gold mineralization, supporting the 2026 production outlook of 19‑21 M lb Cu and 40‑44 k oz Au.
Key Details
- 2025 Production – Mount Polley
- Ore milled: 6,714,195 t (flat vs. 2024)
- Copper produced: 30.715 M lb (down 14% YoY)
- Gold produced: 37,555 oz (down 4% YoY)
- Q4 mill feed sourced ~50 % from Phase 5 & low‑grade stockpiles; lower grades and Cu recovery (75.5 %) drove reduced output.
- 2026 Production Target
- Copper: 19‑21 M lb
- Gold: 40‑44 k oz
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Majority of mill feed to come from Phase 5 pushback, supplemented by low‑grade stockpiles.
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Exploration – Phase 2 (C2 Zone)
- Hole C2‑25‑123: 82.5 m @ 0.45 % Cu & 0.88 g/t Au (30 m depth); includes 47.5 m @ 0.56 % Cu & 1.22 g/t Au (57.5 m depth).
- Hole C2‑25‑142: 44 m @ 0.42 % Cu & 0.39 g/t Au (6 m depth) plus 140 m @ 0.19 % Cu & 0.30 g/t Au (250 m depth).
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Hole C2‑25‑138: 77.5 m @ 0.49 % Cu & 0.82 g/t Au; includes 45 m @ 0.72 % Cu & 1.10 g/t Au.
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Deep C2 Zone Intercepts
- Hole C2‑25‑126: 20 m @ 0.29 % Cu & 0.44 g/t Au (292.5‑312.5 m).
- Hole C2‑25‑138 (deep interval): 45 m @ 0.72 % Cu & 1.10 g/t Au (277.5‑322.5 m).
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Hole C2‑25‑140: 7.5 m @ 0.40 % Cu & 1.29 g/t Au (222.5‑230 m); 5 m @ 0.49 % Cu & 1.01 g/t Au (255‑260 m).
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Bell Pit Extension Drilling
- Hole BD‑25‑36: 55 m @ 0.33 % Cu & 0.41 g/t Au; includes 17.5 m @ 0.69 % Cu & 0.75 g/t Au.
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Hole BD‑25‑37: 235 m @ 0.22 % Cu & 0.27 g/t Au (62.5‑297.5 m); includes 45 m @ 0.35 % Cu & 0.51 g/t Au (250‑295 m).
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Future Drilling
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Next diamond‑drilling phase scheduled to commence February 2026, focusing on follow‑up of successful Bell Pit results.
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Qualified Persons
- Steve Robertson, VP Corporate Development – production disclosures.
- Jim Miller‑Tait, VP Exploration – exploration results.
Notable Quotes
- “The 2025 production exceeded our copper target and met gold expectations, underscoring the resilience of Mount Polley’s operation despite lower grades,” – Imperial Metals President Brian Kynoch.
Materiality Assessment: Material – Positive (the release provides substantive operational and exploration data that materially informs investors about current performance and future outlook).