The Copper Mountain (CM) deposit is an example of an alkalic porphyry deposit, in which copper–gold mineralization is spatially and genetically associated with multiple pulses of volumetrically restricted, and compositionally varied, alkaline porphyry intrusions.

Mineralization
The bulk of the known copper mineralization at Copper Mountain occurs in a northwesterly trending belt of Nicola Group rocks, approximately 5 km long and 2 km wide, that is bounded in the south by the CMS and in the west side by the northernly trending Boundary Fault system. Here copper mineralization occurs as structurally controlled, multidirectional veins and vein stockworks, with peripheral disseminations. Mineralization had been subdivided into four types, as follows: 1) disseminated and stockwork chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcocite, and pyrite in altered Nicola Group volcanic rocks and LHIC rocks; 2) bornite-chalcopyrite associated with pegmatite-like veins (coarse masses of orthoclase, calcite, and biotite; 3) magnetite-(±hematite)-chalcopyrite replacements and/or veins); and 4) chalcopyrite-bearing magnetite breccias (Fahrni et al., 1976; Klue et al., 2020; Preto, 1972; and Stanley et al., 1995). All mineralization types can be found in each pit area, but each pit is unique with respect to the relative quantities and character of mineralization type.

Disseminated and stockwork chalcopyrite–bornite–chalcocite-(±pyrite) mineralization formed much of the core of the depos ........

Copper Mountain Mine (BC) Ltd. (CMML) employs conventional open pit mining methods composed of blasthole drilling, blasting, shovel loading, and rigid-frame, rear-dump truck haulage. Blastholes (270 mm or 311 mm diameter) are drilled on a grid pattern, with blasthole spacing between 7 m and 9 m depending on hole diameter, rock hardness, and whether material is anticipated to be ore or non-economic rock (NER). The blasthole cuttings are mapped and sampled, with samples transported to the on-site analytical laboratory. Samples are pulverized and analyzed for copper. Assays are uploaded to the ore control department and combined with the exploration drill database, which is then interpolated onto bench plans together with blasthole grades and geological information. Grade boundaries are selected manually, and depending on the material, the blasting details are determined. Following blasting, the dig plans are uploaded to the shovels and dispatch system to direct mining and haulage.

Mining at the Copper Mountain Mine (CMM) is by conventional open pit methods, using a 15-m bench height. The major components of this mining method are blasthole drilling, blasting, loading, and hauling. Pit walls are designed to geotechnical specifications and vary in slope angle depending on lithology, alteration, and local ground conditions, with bench face angles of 70 degrees to 73 degrees, and berms of 9 m to 14 m, resulting in inter-ramp pit wall angles that range from 37 degrees to ........

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