Selkirk Copper Sets Sights on Rapid Minto Mine Restart

Selkirk Copper Mines Inc. (TSXV:SCMI) is planning to restart its Minto mine in Yukon, Canada, with an initial capital cost of C$186 million. The Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the copper-gold-silver project returns a 47.8% internal rate of return and a 1.9-year payback from first production.

The mine plan draws on only around 18.4 million tonnes of the 47.8 million tonne Measured and Indicated resource, which contains 940 million pounds of copper, 530,000 ounces of gold, and 4.97 million ounces of silver. The company aims to produce a clean 38% copper concentrate with gold and silver credits in the second half of 2028.

The project's economics are sensitive to copper price, the CAD:USD exchange rate, and copper recovery. Selkirk Copper has a partnership with the Selkirk First Nation, its largest shareholder with around 18%, which holds two board seats and receives a 1.5% net smelter return (NSR) royalty on payable metals.

The company is awaiting government authorisation to start a five-month dewatering programme, which is the main constraint on timing. Once completed, Selkirk Copper will move straight into feasibility without an interim PEA, with completion targeted for mid-2027.