Project's Optimization at Mantoverde Site Affirmed by Capstone Copper
The mining company, Capstone Copper Corp., has announced the sanctioning of its Mantoverde Optimized project for construction. This capital-efficient brownfield expansion of Mantoverde's sulphide concentrator is expected to increase throughput from 32,000 to 45,000 ore tonnes per day (tpd).
The timeline for the MV Optimized project is as follows:
- Construction period: Approximately one year starting shortly after sanctioning in August 2025.
- Ramp-up period: Begins in Q4 2026.
- Sustainable increased throughput of 45,000 tpd: Expected by early 2027.
- Full production capabilities: Expected by early 2027.
The expansion is expected to provide incremental copper and gold production of approximately 20,000 tonnes and 6,000 ounces per annum, respectively. The construction of the MV Optimized sulphide concentrator expansion is expected to require approximately one year.
Regarding expansionary capital costs, the project is mainly focused on debottlenecking existing infrastructure rather than building new facilities. Approximately $20 million in long lead items were approved in Q2 2025, indicating significant early capital expenditure already underway. Further 2025 expansionary capital guidance and overall capital cost estimates are to be provided after formal project sanctioning and Board approvals in Q3 2025.
The updated total expansionary capital cost for MV Optimized has been estimated at $176 million. The construction and ramp-up of the oxide leach optimization is expected to require an additional quarter, with higher cathode production starting in Q2 2027.
Capstone Copper owns and operates the Pinto Valley copper mine located in Arizona, USA, the Cozamin copper-silver mine located in Zacatecas, Mexico, the Mantos Blancos copper-silver mine located in the Antofagasta region, Chile, and 70% of the Mantoverde copper-gold mine, located in the Atacama region, Chile.
The Company has advanced the level of detailed engineering to approximately 40% completion. Capstone Copper Corp. is an Americas-focused copper mining company headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.
The MV Optimized project is expected to extend the mine life from 19 to 25 years. However, it's important to note that the press release contains forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Readers are advised not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
For more information about Capstone Copper, visit www.capstonecopper.com.
[1] Capstone Copper Corp. Press Release, August 2025. [2] Capstone Copper Corp. Investor Presentation, Q2 2025. [3] Capstone Copper Corp. Technical Report, Mantoverde Optimized Feasibility Study, July 2025. [4] Capstone Copper Corp. DIA Environmental Permit, July 2025. [5] Capstone Copper Corp. Sanctioning Announcement, August 2025.
The MV Optimized project, a capital-efficient expansion of Capstone Copper Corp.'s Mantoverde mine, aims to increase business operations, specifically increasing throughput from 32,000 to 45,000 ore tonnes per day. This project, expected to be completed by early 2027, is also predicted to provide additional copper and gold production for the company's portfolio, amounting to approximately 20,000 tonnes and 6,000 ounces per annum, respectively. The expansion's finance details are underway, with approximately $20 million already allocated for long lead items in Q2 2025.
