Schaft Creek will eventually replace Highland Valley.

I know that's what Teck is saying, probably a little optimistic. They're really strteching it. (for the workers out there).

Not that I think CUU will be around anyway since I think someone will secure the 25% and let Teck build the mine. And if Teck split sthe costs with partners they probably won't be paying any capital costs.

I do think many workers will be moving up to Schaft Creek and so will the new equipment.

http://www.infomine.com/minesite/minesite.asp?site=hvc

The mine has approximately 431 million tonnes of reserves grading 0.38% copper and 0.007% molybdenum. Highland Valley Copper is executing a two-phase mine life extension that requires pushbacks of the east and west walls of the Valley pit, which will permit mining until 2019.

Production to 2013 is expected to average 142,000 tonnes of copper per year and production from 2014 to 2019 is expected to average 125,000 tonnes of copper per year. Life of mine copper and molybdenum grades are expected to decline by approximately 10% as a result of the inclusion of lower grade ore in the mine plan.

http://www.mining-technology.com/projects/highland/

The future

Waste stripping for Highland Valley's $C300m mine life extension is continuing with the pushback of the east wall in the Valley pit progressing well despite a minor geotechnical failure in the third quarter which is currently being rectified.

All the equipment is on site, permits received and contractors arranged. The pushback of the west wall necessary to extend the mine life to 2019 is scheduled to commence in early 2009 after the mine permit amendment received.

http://www.kamloopsnews.ca/article/20110209/KAMLOOPS0101/110209903/-1/KAMLOOPS/six-more-years-of-life-for-copper-mine

“It gives us more flexibility. We have been putting away money for the shutdown. Now we can use some of that to benefit the community.”

Mine spokesman Mark Freberg said the extended mine life will come from expansion of the historic Lornex pit.

“We’re going back and expanding that to get at ore we can’t get at with our current configuration. We’ll make it bigger and create access to mineralization we can’t get at with our current configuration.”

“As we go forward we’re into more marginal ore. The future of Highland Valley Copper is more of a low-grade operation than we have been.”