The Endako Mine is a primary, surface molybdenum mine located near Fraser Lake, 100 miles northwest of Prince George, British Columbia. The mine is operated as a joint venture with Thompson Creek holding a 75% interest and Sojitz Corporation, a Japanese company, holding a 25% interest.
The Endako Mine is a fully integrated facility that began operations in 1965. It includes a concentrator that processes ore through crushing, grinding, and flotation circuits into molybdenum disulfide concentrate, and a multiple-hearth roasting facility that converts the concentrate into technical grade molybdenum oxide.
The Endako Mine consists of three pits; the Endako, Denak West and Denako East. The Endako Pit was the focus of mining activity for many years. In January 2008, mining activity shifted entirely to the Denak West pit and during 2008 the Corporation moved the in-pit crusher from the Endako Pit to an area between the Denak West and Denak East pits and began installing an overland conveyor from that location to the mill. The conveyor commenced transporting ore to the mill in March 2009. Plans call for the creation of a single pit by mining the walls between the three existing pits.
MILL EXPANSION
In March 2012, the Company completed the mill expansion project at its Endako mine. The Endako mill expansion project included the construction of a new mill, replacing the existing mill constructed in the 1960's. The new mill is designed to meet ore-processing capacity of 55,000 tons per day. Commissioning of the new SAG/Ball mill and rougher flotation circuit was completed in early January, followed by ramp-up to commercial production beginning February 1, 2012. The remaining construction work on the regrind circuit and the pebble crusher was completed in late March. The existing 45-year old mill at the site has been shut down and will be left on care and maintenance.
ENDAKO RESERVE AND RESOURCE INFORMATION¹
The reserve and resource information are as of September 12, 2011. Click here to view the 43-101 technical report dated September 12, 2011
Endako Mine - Mineral Reserves
| Category | Tons (millions) |
Grade (%Mo) |
Contained Mo (millions lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proven Reserves | 139.7 | 0.047 | 130.8 |
| Probable Reserves | 193.4 | 0.044 | 173.1 |
| Proven and Probable - Total | 331.1 | 0.046 | 303.9 |
Endako Mine - Mineral Resources
(Resources are in addition to the Reserves in the chart above)
| Category | Tons (millions) |
Grade (%Mo) |
Contained Mo (millions lbs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Measured Resources | 18.9 | 0.029 | 10.9 |
| Indicated Resources | 44.3 | 0.031 | 27.1 |
| Measured and Indicated - Total | 63.2 | 0.030 | 38.0 |
| Additional Inferred Resources | 54.1 | 0.035 | 37.8 |
