Imperial Metals says B.C. copper-gold mine on track to hit 2026 targets
Imperial Metals Corp. (III-TSX) has released its copper and gold production results for the second quarter of 2026 from the Red Chris mine in British Columbia.
Imperial is a Vancouver-based exploration, development and operating company with a portfolio of B.C. mines that includes Mount Polley (100%), the Huckleberry mine (100%), and the Red Chris mine 30%. Newmont Corp. [NEM-NYSE] holds a 70% stake in the Red Chris mine, which is located 80 kilometres south of Dease Lake in northwest B.C.
The company said Red Chris metal production (100%) for the second quarter of 2026 was 17.9 million pounds of copper and 14,591 ounces of gold. Both gold and copper production were down compared with the second quarter of 2025, with copper production down 24% and gold production down 36%. Imperial’s 30% share of Red Chris mine production was 5.37 million pounds of copper and 4,377 ounces of gold.
The decrease in copper production from 23.5 million pounds in the second quarter of 2025 was as a result of an 18% decrease in the copper grade (0.45% versus 0.55%) with higher recovery and lower throughput. The decrease in gold production from 22,624 ounces in the second quarter of 2025 was a result of lower gold grade in the mill feed (0.35 g/t gold, versus 0.49 g/t) and lower throughput, with similar gold recovery (59.4% versus 60%) compared with the same quarter last year.
The company said that both copper and gold production remain on track to achieve the budgeted 2026 production, and the guidance for Red Chris production (100%) remains at 60 million to 66 million pounds of copper and 47,500 to 52,500 ounces of gold.
Imperial said the Red Chris feasibility study for a block cave expansion operation is advancing. It said the key permits are in hand with approval from both the Province of British Columbia and Tahltan First Nation. Completion of the feasibility study and, subject to the study outcome, joint venture approval are expected in the second half of 2026. The company has said Canadian
government has pledged to contribute $500 million to support the Red Chris Block Cave project.
Imperial Metals shares edged higher on the news, rising 0.42% or $0.03 to $7.25. The shares trade in a 52-week range of $14.01 and $3.88.
Meanwhile, Imperial has previously reported copper and gold production for the second quarter of 2026 from the Mount Polley mine. Production was 3.38 million pounds of copper and 6,848 ounces of gold, compared to year ago production of 9.49 million pounds of copper and 11,061 ounces of gold. Throughput in the quarter was 18,498 tonnes per day, compared to 19,331 tonnes per day in the second quarter of 2025.