Empire Metals Company (Third-TSX) Q2 2026 copper and gold production results from the Red Chris mine in British Columbia.
Imperial is a Vancouver-based exploration, development and operating company with a portfolio of British Columbia mines that includes Mount Polley (100%), Huckleberry Mine (100%), and Red Cress Mine 30%. Newmont Company (no-NYSE) owns a 70% interest in the Red Cress mine, located 80 kilometers south of Dyess Lake in northwestern British Columbia.
The company said that Red Cress metal production (100%) for the second quarter of 2026 amounted to 17.9 million pounds of copper and 14,591 ounces of gold. Gold and copper production declined compared to the second quarter of 2025, with copper production down 24% and gold production down 36%. Imperial’s 30% share of Red Cres 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 the result of a decrease in copper grade by 18% (0.45% vs. 0.55%) with a higher recovery rate and lower productivity. The decline in gold production from 22,624 ounces in Q2 2025 was the result of lower mill feed gold grade (0.35 g/t gold, vs. 0.49 g/t) and lower productivity, with a similar recovery for gold (59.4% vs. 60%) compared to the same quarter last year.
The company said copper and gold production remains on track to achieve budgeted 2026 production, and Red Chris’s production guidance (100%) remains at 60 million to 66 million pounds of copper and 47,500 to 52,500 ounces of gold.
Imperial said Red Cress’ feasibility study for the cave expansion was progressing. She said key permits are in hand with approval from both the Province of British Columbia and the Tahltan First Nation. The feasibility study is expected to be completed and, subject to the results of the study, approval of the joint venture in the second half of 2026. The Canadian company said
The government has pledged to contribute $500 million to support the Red Chris Block Cave project.
Imperial Metals shares rose on the news, rising 0.42%, or $0.03, to $7.25. Shares are trading in a 52-week range of $14.01 to $3.88.
Meanwhile, Imperial previously announced second-quarter 2026 copper and gold production from its Mount Polley mine. Production was 3.38 million pounds of copper and 6,848 ounces of gold, compared to last year’s production of 9.49 million pounds of copper and 11,061 ounces of gold. Productivity in this quarter reached 18,498 tons per day, compared to 19,331 tons per day in the second quarter of 2025.
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