File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

New Afton Mine

New C-zone capabilities push New Afton mine life forward

Feb 12, 2025 | 4:07 PM

KAMLOOPS — The company behind the New Afton copper-gold mine just west of Kamloops says it feels it can keep the mine running slightly longer than its most recent estimate.

New Gold says it has been able to increase its draw height in the massive C-zone block cave, which came into production last fall.

With that increased draw height, the company now believes the mine will continue operating until 2031. That is one year longer than New Gold estimated when the province approved development of the C-zone in 2022.

Production from the C-zone is still ramping up, with the company projecting total mine production of 16,000 tonnes per day by 2026.

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In a news release distributed Wednesday (Feb. 12), New Gold President and CEO Patrick Godin says the mine’s fortunes are also bolstered by the so-called East Extension.

The company concluded a technical study on the East Extension last year and now predicts the ore provided will be at a grade more than double that being produced in the C-zone.

Godin says further mine life extension is being pursued. The mine expects to spend $17 million on exploration in 2025.