87422 092ISW012 092I6 Cu7 Kamloops HIGHLAND VALLEY COPPER, VALLEY, VALLEY COPPER, VALLEY MINE, BETHSAIDA, LAKE, HIGHLAND VALLEY, HVC 092I045 092I06E Producer 50° 29' 08'' 121° 02' 54'' 50.485556 -121.048333 10 5594207 638547 Copper, Molybdenum, Silver, Gold, Lead, Zinc Intermontane Quesnel L04 : Porphyry Cu +/- Mo +/- Au The Valley deposit lies within the Late Triassic to Early Jurassic Guichon Creek batholith and is hosted by Bethsaida phase porphyritic quartz monzonite and granodiorite. Feldspar porphyry and quartz feldspar porphyry dykes 0.6 to 35 metres wide dip steeply eastward in the western and central areas, and northward in the southern area of the deposit. These dykes are cut by mineralized fractures and quartz veinlets, and have been dated at 204 Ma +/- 4 Ma. The Bethsaida granodiorite is also intruded by aplite dykes up to 30 centimetres wide, tan-coloured felsite dykes up to 4.5 metres wide, and three types of lamprophyre dykes (spessartite, hornblende vogesite, vogesite). The most prominent structural features are the north trending, west dipping Lornex fault and the east trending Highland Valley fault. Faults and fractures in the deposit comprise four main sets. Quartz veinlets are subparallel to two of the earlier formed fault and fracture sets. Silicic, potassic, phyllic, argillic and propylitic alteration are intimately associated. Stockworks of quartz veinlets 1 to 2 centimetres in width are common. Vuggy veinlets have envelopes of medium-grained sericite and/or potassic feldspar, and contain minor amounts of sericite, plagioclase, potassium feldspar, calcite, hematite, bornite, chalcopyrite, molybdenite, digenite and covellite. These veinlets are moderately abundant within the 0.3 per cent copper isopleth. An area of well-developed barren quartz veinlets, generally 0.5 to 1.3 millimetres wide, without alteration envelopes, occurs in the southeastern part of the deposit. In the west-central part of the deposit, potassium feldspar is associated with vein sericite in some replacement zones, as veinlet envelopes along fractures, and disseminated in quartz veinlets. Hydrothermal biotite occurs in small amounts. Flaky sericite and quartz, both as replacement zones and as envelopes around quartz veinlets, constitute the most common type of alteration associated with copper mineralization. Strong phyllic alteration coincides with the 0.5 per cent copper isopleth. Phyllic alteration is closely associated with pervasive argillization, which is strongest where fractures are most closely-spaced. Feldspars are altered to sericite, kaolinite, quartz and calcite. The phyllic-argillic zone grades outward to a peripheral zone of weak to moderate propylitization, characterized by clay, sericite, epidote, clinozoisite and calcite replacing plagioclase, and chlorite and epidote replacing biotite. The age of hydrothermal alteration is approximately 191 Ma. At the Valley deposit, gypsum is interpreted to be secondary and post-ore. It is commonly fibrous and white to orange but locally it forms large platy crystals or may be massive. Anhydrite, which is also present, provide indirect evidence for the secondary nature of the gypsum. It is apparently the same age as and associated with sericitic and potassic alteration. Quartz-gypsum veins and quartz-potash feldspar veins in which gypsum fills interstices provide more direct evidence for its secondary nature. Gypsum is believed to have formed at the expense of anhydrite which was deposited from the ore-forming fluids. Gypsum veins are common in the lower portion of the orebody (Open File 1991-15). Sulphides occur chiefly as disseminations in quartz veinlets, and in phyllic (bornite) and potassic (chalcopyrite) alteration zones. Mineralization includes bornite and chalcopyrite, with minor digenite, covellite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, molybdenite, sphalerite and galena. The oxide zone averages 4.5 metres in thickness, and contains limonite, malachite, pyrolusite, digenite, native copper, and tenorite(?). Production from the Lornex mine (092ISW045) was combined with the Valley operations in 1987. Highland Valley Copper was created in mid-1986 by bringing together the Highland Valley mining operations of Lornex Mining Corporation Ltd. and Cominco Ltd. into a new single entity, structured as a partnership. On the south side of the valley was the Lornex mine which started mining in 1972. In 1981, the Lornex concentrator had been expanded to become one of the largest in the industry. On the north side was Bethlehem Copper (092ISE001) which started mining in 1963. In 1981, this operation was absorbed by Cominco who already owned the Valley orebody (092ISW012) located west of the Lornex pit on the south side of the valley. Mining of the original Bethlehem Copper pits ceased in 1982. The Highmont mill on the south side of the valley was acquired in 1988 when Highmont Mining Company joined the partnership. This mill had been closed down in 1984 when the Highmont deposit (092ISE013) became uneconomical. Lornex Mining Corporation Ltd. was wound up at the end of 1988 with the result that Rio Algom Limited, Teck Corporation and Highmont Mining Company obtained direct participation in the cash flow from the partnership. Today's participation in the cash flow is: _____________________________________________________________________ 50. per cent-Cominco Ltd. 33.6 per cent-Rio Algom Limited 13.9 per cent-Teck Corporation (including 2.5 per cent from Highmont) 2.5 per cent-Highmont Mining Company (excluding Teck's 2.5 per cent) _____________________________________________________________________ Highland Valley Copper operates two distinct mines, the Valley mine and the Lornex mine, and between the two has measured and indicated ore reserves of 761 million tonnes of 0.408 per cent copper and 0.0072 molybdenum. The ore reserves of each mine are: Valley mine - 627 million tonnes at 0.418 per cent copper and 0.0056 per cent molybdenum; Lornex mine - 135 million tonnes at 0.364 per cent copper and 0.0144 per cent molybdenum. The individual mine reserves are calculated at an equivalent cutoff grade of 0.25 per cent copper using a molybdenum multiplying factor of 3.5 (CIM Bulletin July/August 1992, pages 73,74). Mining is carried out in the two mines simultaneously at a proportion of 80 per cent in the Valley mine and 20 per cent in the Lornex mine, and the ratio is projected to remain much the same over mine life. Based on current plans, the property has a life of approximately 18 years at conservative metal prices and an average stripping ratio of 0.8 (CIM Bulletin July/August 1992, pages 71-73). Published reserves at January 1, 1995 were 539.7 million tonnes grading 0.42 per cent copper and 0.0073 per cent molybdenum. The mine life is estimated to be about fourteen more years (Information Circular 1995-9, page 6). In 1995, with Explore B.C. Program support, Highland Valley Copper carried out 197 line kilometres of high-powered induced polarization surveys for very deep penetration, and drilled 1701 metres in 4 holes. This work was done on the Lornex SW Extension, Roscoe Lake and JA zones. No anomalies of merit were detected in Lornex SW Extension, and Roscoe Lake gave only limited encouragement. IP work on the JA zone detected an anomaly extending to the south, well beyond the limits of known mineralization, and another anomaly 2000 by 1500 metres in size at the east end of the grid. Both anomalies warrant drill testing (Explore B.C. Program 95/96 - M80). Reserves estimated by the partnership as of January 1, 1996, were 504 million tonnes grading 0.42 per cent copper, 4.8 grams per tonne silver, 0.032 gram per tonne gold and 0.0076 per cent molybdnum (Information Circular 1997-1, page 8). In order to reach the credit limit for gold production, small amounts of gold from the Snip mine were added to the concentrate. Reserves were estimated, as of January 1, 1997, at 495 million tonnes grading 0.42 per cent copper and 0.006 per cent molybdenum. Mining takes place in the Valley (95 per cent) and Lornex (5 per cent) pits (Information Circular 1998-1, page 8; Northern Miner, April 28, 1997). A possible resource of 200 million tonnes grading 0.4 per cent copper at depth (beneath the current Valley pit design) was identified as a result of exploration in 1995. This resource was further examined in 1996 and resulted in the indentification of 350 million tonnes grading 0.384 per cent copper (Information Circular 1997-1; Northern Miner, April 28, 1997). At the end of 1996, mine plans called for another 200 metres in depth in the Valley pit to the 2008. In addition, the partnership may consider mining the remaining 120 million tonnes grading 0.33 per cent copper estimated to exist in the Lornex pit (Information Circular 1997-1, page 8). Ore reserves remaining at the beginning of 1998 are 457.1 million tonnes grading 0.419 per cent copper and 0.0085 per cent molybdenum (Exploration in BC 1997, page 34). Ore reserves at the beginning of 1999 are 416.8 million tonnes grading 0.418 per cent copper and 0.0087 per cent molybdenum (Lorne Bond, pers. comm.; Exploration and Mining in BC 1998, page 60). Highland Valley Copper suspended mining on May 15, 1999; they resumed August 30, 1999. Ore reserves at the beginning of 2000 are 387 million tonnes grading 0.42 per cent copper and 0.008 per cent molybdenum (Information Circular 2001-1, page 6). Ore reserves at the beginning of 2002 were 292.5 million tonnes proven and 52.6 milltion tonnes probable, totalling 345.1 million tonnes, grading 0.41 per cent copper (Teck Cominco Annual Report 2001). At November 24, 2003 Highland Valley Copper contained approximately 296,000,000 tonnes of reserves grading 0.42 per cent copper (www.teckcominco.com, November 24, 2003). The molybdenum grade is reported to be 0.007 per cent (The Northern Miner, December 15, 2003). Mineral reserves as of December 31, 2005 are 260,200,000 tonnes in the Proven reserve category grading 0.43 per cent copper and 0.008 per cent molybdenum; 58,500,000 tonnes in the Probable reserve category grading 0.44 per cent copper and 0.007 per cent molybdenum; and 318,700,000 tonnes Total combined reserve grading 0.43 per cent copper and 0.008 per cent molybdenum (TeckCominco Annual Report 2005). In September 2005, Highland Valley announced that mine life would be extended by five years to 2013. Very late in the year, Teck Cominco also announced that it is considering building a modern hydrometallurgical refinery on site. Most ore comes from the Valley pit, augmented by a small amount from the Lornex pit. Following a successful 300,000 tonne bulk sample test, the Highmont East pit, closed since the mid-1980s, was re-opened in the fall of 2005 to take advantage of higher molybdenum prices. In addition, exploration drilling was conducted nearby in the Highmont South area and results are being evaluated. Teck completed a new life of mine plan which extended the mine life until 2027. Reserves and Resources as of December 31, 2014 were: (Teck Annual Information Form, March 2, 2015) _________________________________________________________ Category Amount (tonnes) Cu (%) Mo (%) Proven 375,000,000 0.34 0.007 Probable 232,800,000 0.24 0.009 Combined Proven & Probable 608,000,000 0.30 0.008 Measured 395,300,000 0.32 0.009 Indicated 612,900,000 0.22 0.011 Inferred 303,000,000 0.20 0.009 Calculated at 0.11 per cent Cu equivalent cut-off _________________________________________________________ Reserves and Resources as of December 31, 2017 were: (Teck Annual Information Form, March 2, 2015) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Category Amount (tonnes) Cu (%) Mo (%) Proven 372,100,000 0.32 0.007 Probable 217,400,000 0.27 0.009 Combined Proven & Probable 589,500,000 0.30 0.007 Measured 488,400,000 0.31 0.009 Indicated 822,600,000 0.23 0.009 Inferred 382,400,000 0.23 0.007 Calculated at 0.10 per cent Cu equivalent cut-off. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Production for 2018 (system currently will not accept) Teck Annual Information Form February 26, 2018 Mined: 112,037,000 tonnes Milled: 51,888,000 tonnes Cu: 100,800,000 kilograms Mo 3,950,000 kilograms EMPR AR 1968-180,181 EMPR ASS RPT *10690, 13850 EMPR BC METAL MM00006, MM00039 EMPR BULL 56; 62 EMPR ENG INSP Annual Report 1989, 1990 EMPR Explore B.C. Program 95/96 - M80 EMPR EXPL 1980-225; 1982-201; 1984-206; 1985-C194; 1986-A37; 1987-A37; 1988-A4; 1989-3; 1996-A8,D6; 1997-34; 1998-60; 2003-50,51; 2004-51; 2005-56 EMPR GEM 1969-245,259,266; *1970-354-369; 1971-341 EMPR INF CIRC 1994-1, p. 4; 1994-19, p. 4; 1995-1, p. 4; 1995-9, p. 6; 1996-1, p. 6; 1997-1, p. 8; 1998-1, p. 8; 2000-1, p. 6 EMPR MAP *30; 65 (1989) EMPR MIN STATS 1985, pp. 47,48; 1987, pp. 35,37,65,66; 1990, pp. 26, 30,33,68,69,70; 1992, pp. 7,10; 1993, pp. 16,20; 1994, pp. 20,24 EMPR MINING 1981-1985; 1986-1987; 1988 EMPR OF 1991-15, p. 37; 1992-1; 1994-1; 1998-8-F, pp. 1-60; 1998-10 EMPR PF (Drillhole location map; Mining Technology Website (Apr.1999): Highland Valley Copper, 4 p.; Highland Valley Copper, 1994 The Year in Summary; Copper Mining and 2001 Mineral Reserves Report) EMR MIN BULL MR 166 EMR MP CORPFILE (Valley Copper Mines Ltd.; Cominco Ltd.; Bethlehem Copper Corp.) EMR MP RESFILE (Valley Copper) GSC MAP 1010A; 42-1989 GSC MEM 262 GSC OF 980; *2167, pp. 99-114 GSC P 46-8; 47-10; 77-12 CANMET RPT 93; 592 CIM '97 Vancouver Program, April 27-30, 1997, pp. 103-104 CIM Bulletin *July/August 1992, pp. 71-88; Vol. 92, No. 1032, July/August 1999, pp. 71-75 CIM Special Volume *15 (1976), *46, pp. 161-191 CMH *1990, p. 120 CMJ Nov. 1981 GCNL Apr.23, May 13, Aug.27, 1976; May 23, Jun.16, 1978; #110, Jun.6, 1979; #123, 1980; #122, 1981; #78(Apr.24), 1989; #23(Feb.3), #80 (Apr.26), #145(Jul.28), #207(Oct.30), 2000 N MINER Apr.6, Dec.7, 1978; Jun.28, 1979; Nov.27, 1980; Jan.15, 1981; May 6,27, Jun.3, 1982; Apr.28, May 12,19, Jul.28, 1983; Apr.19,26, 1984; Apr.11, 1985; May 1, 1989; Mar.(Anniversary Issue),19, 1990; Apr.27, 1992; Apr.28, 1997; Nov.2, 1998; Jan.25, May 3,24, Aug.9, Sept.6, Nov.1, 1999; May 8, 2000; Aug.6, 2001; Feb.11, Sept.2, 2002; May 4, Dec.3,15, 2003; Jan.19, Feb.9, 2004 N MINER MAG July 1989 PR REL Cominco Ltd., July 23, Oct.25, 1999; Highland Valley Copper, Jan.18, 1999; Teck Cominco Ltd., Jan. 29, 2004; Teck, Feb.9,2012, Feb.7,2013, Feb.13,2014, Feb.12,2015, Feb.11,2016 W MINER Dec. 1979; Dec. 1980; Jul. 1982; May,June, 1983 WWW http://www.teckcominco.com; http://www.mining-technology.com/projects/highland/index.html; http://www.infomine.com/index/properties/HIGHLAND_VALLEY_MINE.html Cominco Ltd., 1991 Annual Report Falconbridge File Hansen, Poul (1992): A temporary use of the land at Highland Valley Copper, CIM Bulletin, Vol. 85, No. 962, pp. 71-88. Northcote, K.E. (1968): Geology and Geochronology of the Guichon Creek Batholith, British Columbia, Unpublished Ph.D. Thesis, The University of British Columbia Placer Dome File Teck Annual Information Form, Mar.2,2015; Feb.26,2018 Teck Cominco Limited Annual Reports Times Colonist, Jan.20,C4; Jan.27,p.D6, 1999 EMPR PFD 900059, 1691, 1826, 901258, 901465, 901466, 901504, 901626, 10836, 10837, 10838, 10842, 10845, 10847, 10848, 10849, 10850, 810718, 810719, 810752, 750747, 750748, 750749, 7511, 822327, 822398, 812970, 820307, 820314, 820318, 820341, 820931, 820932, 820933, 883953, 889265, 889266, 883960, 883961, 883962, 883963, 883964, 883965, 883966, 883967, 883968, 883969, 883970, 883972, 883973, 883974, 883975, 883976, 883977, 883978, 883979, 883980, 883981, 883982, 883984, 883985, 883986, 883988, 883989, 883991, 883992, 883993, 883995, 883999, 884002, 884004, 884005, 884006, 884007, 884008, 884010, 884012, 884015, 884017, 884018, 884019, 884021, 884022, 884023, 884024, 884025, 884026, 884027, 813041, 20673, 20688, 20689, 20693, 20694, 20695, 20696, 20697, 20699, 20709, 20712, 20714, 20715, 20716, 20717, 826939, 826930, 801514, 827130, 802036, 802052, 802053, 802054, 802271, 802383, 802412, 802413, 802415, 802416, 802417, 802418, 801734, 801809, 861983, 671923, 502966, 502987, 502988, 502989, 502990, 502992, 502993, 502995, 502999, 503076, 503077, 503083, 504370, 504540, 504562, 504563, 504564, 504565, 504566, 504567, 504568, 504570, 504571, 504572, 504573, 505286, 505297, 505298, 505607, 505609, 505627, 505630, 505632, 505633, 505635, 505636, 505637, 505638, 505639, 505645, 505646, 505647, 505648, 505649, 505650, 505651, 505652, 505653, 505654, 505655, 505656, 505659, 675640, 675656, 675657, 675658, 676886, 676887, 676888, 676889, 676890, 676893, 676894, 896102, 896105, 896106, 896107, 896108, 896109, 896113, 896117, 896232, 896233, 896234, 896235, 896236, 896238, 896239, 896240, 896241, 896242, 896243, 896244, 896245, 896246, 896249, 896250, 896251, 896252, 896253, 896254, 896255, 896256, 896257, 896258, 896282, 896283, 896306, 896307, 896308, 896309, 896310, 896311, 896312, 896313, 896315, 896316, 896322, 896323, 896324, 896328, 896337, 896338, 896339, 896340, 896341, 896342, 896343, 896344, 896345, 896346, 896347, 896348, 896349, 896350, 896351, 896352, 896353, 896354, 896355, 896356, 896357, 896358, 896359, 896360, 896361, 896362, 896369, 896370, 896371, 896374, 896375, 896377, 896378, 896379, 896380, 896381, 896382, 896383, 896384, 896385, 896386, 896387, 896388, 896390, 896391, 896392, 896393, 896394, 896395, 896396, 896397, 896398, 896399, 896400, 896401, 896403, 896404, 896405, 896406, 896407, 896408, 896409, 896410, 896411, 896412, 896413, 896414, 896415, 896416, 896417, 896421, 896433, 896437, 896505, 896525, 896526, 896527, 896528, 896529, 896530, 896531, 896535, 896536, 896537, 896538, 896539, 896540, 896541, 896542, 896543, 896544, 896545, 896546, 896547, 896548, 896549, 896550, 896551, 896552, 896553, 896554