# Highland Copper Announces Updated Process Plant Flow Sheet Demonstrating Increased Copper Recoveries of 87.6% and Reduced Processing Costs Canonical Atlas analysis: https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--0a516a00-6901-4f15-9ea7-eb2260f8f2ca Original source: https://money.tmx.com/en/quote/HI/news/7850992175096172/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas Publisher: tmx Original announcement: 2025-09-04T18:56:36.000Z Analysis by Minestarters Atlas Atlas analysis published: Unknown date Atlas analysis updated: Unknown date - Company: Highland Copper Company Inc. - Ticker: HI - Exchange: TSX - Region: Michigan’s Upper Peninsula - Primary commodity: Copper - Secondary commodities: Silver, Iron ore, Sulfur - Document categories: Metallurgy - Extracted: 2026-08-21 07:09:27 UTC Narrative sentiment: 0.90 · Bullish ## Minestarters Atlas summary Highland Copper announced positive results from its 2025 metallurgical test work program for the Copperwood Project, demonstrating an updated process plant flowsheet that is expected to increase copper recoveries to 87.6% and reduce processing costs by up to $1.00 per tonne milled. The redesigned flowsheet incorporates ultrafine flotation technology and an optimized reagent scheme, with Glencore Technologies prepared to offer a performance guarantee for the improved recovery estimate. These results are an important component of Phase 1 detailed engineering, aiming to enhance project economics and reduce technical risk. Reasoning: The updated process plant flowsheet, incorporating ultrafine flotation and an optimized reagent scheme, demonstrates increased copper recoveries and reduced operating costs, backed by a performance guarantee from Glencore Technologies. While variability testing is a next step, the current results are highly positive. - Positive factor: Increased copper recovery \(87.6% vs 86% in 2023 FS\) - Positive factor: Reduced processing costs \(up to $1.00/tonne milled\) - Positive factor: Optimized process flowsheet \(MF2, de-sliming, ultrafine flotation\) - Positive factor: Glencore Technologies performance guarantee - Positive factor: QP sign-off - Positive factor: Accredited lab \(Base Met Labs\) - Positive factor: Locked-cycle tests confirmed performance - Positive factor: Reduced comminution power requirements \(10-13.7%\) - Positive factor: Improved EH&S profile from new reagent scheme - Negative factor: Single Domain Only Facts used in scoring: 7 ## Classification and evidence **High Recovery** Polarity: positive Definition: Recovery at or above the exceptional band for the commodity and processing route. Why it applies: The projected copper recovery of 87.6% is at or above the exceptional band for flotation processing. Evidence · text > average copper recovery of 87.6% **Pilot Scale Complete** Polarity: positive Definition: Pilot or demonstration plant testing completed under continuous operation. Why it applies: Pilot-scale flotation tests were conducted using a Jameson L150 laboratory unit. Evidence · text > pilot application of ultrafine flotation using a Jameson L150 laboratory unit **Recovery Improving** Polarity: positive Definition: Recovery improved versus a like-for-like prior test program on the same domain and route. Why it applies: The new projected recovery of 87.6% copper is an increase from the 86% reported in the 2023 Feasibility Study. Evidence · text > increase in copper recoveries to 87.6% **QP/CP Signed** Polarity: positive Story-specific tag Definition: Qualified Person \(QP\) or Competent Person \(CP\) named and signed off — a member of a recognized professional association \(e.g., AusIMM, SME, AIG, P.Geo\) with relevant experience. Why it applies: Dr. Aghil Ojaghi, P.Eng., and Dr. Wynand van Dyk, QP, reviewed and approved the technical content. Evidence · text > Dr. Aghil Ojaghi, P.Eng., Senior Process Engineer at DRA for the Copperwood Project and independent from the Company. Dr. Ojaghi is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 **Mill Route** Polarity: neutral Definition: Processing via mill or concentrator \(CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation\). Why it applies: The redesigned flowsheet is a mill-float-mill-float \(MF2\) configuration, indicating a mill-based processing route. Evidence · text > mill-float-mill-float \(“MF2”\) flowsheet **Single Domain Only** Polarity: negative Definition: Testing limited to one composite or domain — representativeness not established. Why it applies: The current test work was conducted on a composite sample, with variability testing planned as a next step, indicating limited domain coverage for the reported results. Evidence · text > used to prepare the composite sample for the current phase of test work, as well as to prepare variability samples for the forthcoming lock-cycle variability testing. ## Extracted facts Stored fact records: 7. Some facts used in scoring do not have a stored record. ## Metallurgical Results (7) ### pilot plant [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--0a516a00-6901-4f15-9ea7-eb2260f8f2ca#fact-metallurgical-facts-0) Copperwood Project · copper #### Identity - Project: Copperwood Project - Commodity: copper - Region: michigan’s upper peninsula - Reported Region: Michigan’s Upper Peninsula - Ticker: HI #### Test Work - Program Status: detailed - Test Type: pilot plant - Processing Route: MF2 flotation with ultrafine flotation and optimized reagent scheme - Sample: composite sample #### Recovery - Recovery: 87.6 % - Recovery Basis: actual\_test - Conc. Grade: 25 - Conc. Grade Unit: % #### Lab - Laboratory: Base Metallurgical Laboratories Ltd. - Consultant: DRA Americas Inc. #### Review - Needs Review: No - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2025-09-04T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Projected copper recovery of 87.6% represents a significant improvement over the prior 86% and is backed by Glencore's performance guarantee, indicating high confidence in the optimized MF2 flotation circuit with ultrafine technology. - Positive factor: High Recovery - Positive factor: Recovery Improving - Positive factor: Pilot Scale Complete - Positive factor: QP/CP Signed - Positive factor: Glencore Performance Guarantee - Negative factor: Single Domain Only Evidence · text > Copperwood is now expected to achieve average copper recovery of 87.6% at a concentrate grade of 25% copper ### locked-cycle [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--0a516a00-6901-4f15-9ea7-eb2260f8f2ca#fact-metallurgical-facts-1) Copperwood Project · copper #### Identity - Project: Copperwood Project - Commodity: copper - Region: michigan’s upper peninsula - Reported Region: Michigan’s Upper Peninsula - Ticker: HI #### Test Work - Program Status: detailed - Test Type: locked-cycle - Processing Route: MF2 flotation with ultrafine flotation and optimized reagent scheme - Sample: Cycle E+F Average #### Recovery - Recovery: 85.4 % - Recovery Basis: actual\_test - Conc. Grade: 32.9 - Conc. Grade Unit: % - Mass Pull: 5.9 % #### Lab - Laboratory: Base Metallurgical Laboratories Ltd. - Consultant: DRA Americas Inc. #### Review - Needs Review: No - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2025-09-04T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Locked-cycle test C52 confirmed a high copper concentrate grade of 32.9% at 85.4% recovery, demonstrating the effectiveness of the new MF2 flotation circuit and optimized reagent scheme. - Positive factor: High Concentrate Grade - Positive factor: Locked-Cycle Test - Positive factor: QP/CP Signed - Negative factor: Single Domain Only Evidence · table > 85.4 Context: 5.9 ### locked-cycle [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--0a516a00-6901-4f15-9ea7-eb2260f8f2ca#fact-metallurgical-facts-2) Copperwood Project · iron\_ore #### Identity - Project: Copperwood Project - Commodity: iron\_ore - Region: michigan’s upper peninsula - Reported Region: Michigan’s Upper Peninsula - Ticker: HI #### Test Work - Program Status: detailed - Test Type: locked-cycle - Processing Route: MF2 flotation with ultrafine flotation and optimized reagent scheme - Sample: Cycle E+F Average #### Recovery - Recovery: 7.1 % - Recovery Basis: actual\_test - Conc. Grade: 6.6 - Conc. Grade Unit: % - Mass Pull: 5.9 % #### Lab - Laboratory: Base Metallurgical Laboratories Ltd. - Consultant: DRA Americas Inc. #### Review - Needs Review: No - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2025-09-04T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Locked-cycle test C52 also reported recoveries and concentrate grades for iron, providing a comprehensive view of the concentrate composition from the new MF2 flotation circuit. - Positive factor: Locked-Cycle Test - Positive factor: QP/CP Signed - Negative factor: Single Domain Only Evidence · table > 7.1 Context: 5.9 ### locked-cycle [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--0a516a00-6901-4f15-9ea7-eb2260f8f2ca#fact-metallurgical-facts-3) Copperwood Project · silver #### Identity - Project: Copperwood Project - Commodity: silver - Region: michigan’s upper peninsula - Reported Region: Michigan’s Upper Peninsula - Ticker: HI #### Test Work - Program Status: detailed - Test Type: locked-cycle - Processing Route: MF2 flotation with ultrafine flotation and optimized reagent scheme - Sample: Cycle E+F Average #### Recovery - Recovery: 75.1 % - Recovery Basis: actual\_test - Conc. Grade: 62.5 - Conc. Grade Unit: g/t - Mass Pull: 5.9 % #### Lab - Laboratory: Base Metallurgical Laboratories Ltd. - Consultant: DRA Americas Inc. #### Review - Needs Review: No - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2025-09-04T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Locked-cycle test C52 also reported recoveries and concentrate grades for silver, providing a comprehensive view of the concentrate composition from the new MF2 flotation circuit. - Positive factor: Locked-Cycle Test - Positive factor: QP/CP Signed - Negative factor: Single Domain Only Evidence · table > 75.1 Context: 5.9 ### locked-cycle [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--0a516a00-6901-4f15-9ea7-eb2260f8f2ca#fact-metallurgical-facts-4) Copperwood Project · sulfur #### Identity - Project: Copperwood Project - Commodity: sulfur - Region: michigan’s upper peninsula - Reported Region: Michigan’s Upper Peninsula - Ticker: HI #### Test Work - Program Status: detailed - Test Type: locked-cycle - Processing Route: MF2 flotation with ultrafine flotation and optimized reagent scheme - Sample: Cycle E+F Average #### Recovery - Recovery: 88.3 % - Recovery Basis: actual\_test - Conc. Grade: 9.4 - Conc. Grade Unit: % - Mass Pull: 5.9 % #### Lab - Laboratory: Base Metallurgical Laboratories Ltd. - Consultant: DRA Americas Inc. #### Review - Needs Review: No - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2025-09-04T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Locked-cycle test C52 also reported recoveries and concentrate grades for sulfur, providing a comprehensive view of the concentrate composition from the new MF2 flotation circuit. - Positive factor: Locked-Cycle Test - Positive factor: QP/CP Signed - Negative factor: Single Domain Only Evidence · table > 88.3 Context: 5.9 ### locked-cycle [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--0a516a00-6901-4f15-9ea7-eb2260f8f2ca#fact-metallurgical-facts-5) Copperwood Project · copper Historical result Needs review: historical\_restatement #### Identity - Project: Copperwood Project - Commodity: copper - Region: michigan’s upper peninsula - Reported Region: Michigan’s Upper Peninsula - Ticker: HI #### Test Work - Program Status: detailed - Test Type: locked-cycle - Processing Route: previous design - Sample: FSU Table 13.29 #### Recovery - Recovery: 85.8 % - Recovery Basis: actual\_test - Conc. Grade: 25.1 - Conc. Grade Unit: % - Mass Pull: 7.3 % #### Lab - Laboratory: Base Metallurgical Laboratories Ltd. - Consultant: DRA Americas Inc. #### Review - Needs Review: Yes - Review Reason: historical\_restatement - Historical: Yes - Historical Source Date: 2023-03-06T00:00:00.000Z #### Dates - Event date: 2025-09-04T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: This fact represents the historical copper recovery baseline from the 2023 Feasibility Study, used for comparison with the new metallurgical test work results. - Negative factor: Historical Estimate Only Evidence · table > 85.8 Context: 7.3 ### locked-cycle [Link to this fact](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--0a516a00-6901-4f15-9ea7-eb2260f8f2ca#fact-metallurgical-facts-6) Copperwood Project · silver Historical result Needs review: historical\_restatement #### Identity - Project: Copperwood Project - Commodity: silver - Region: michigan’s upper peninsula - Reported Region: Michigan’s Upper Peninsula - Ticker: HI #### Test Work - Program Status: detailed - Test Type: locked-cycle - Processing Route: previous design - Sample: FSU Table 13.29 #### Recovery - Recovery: 78.8 % - Recovery Basis: actual\_test - Conc. Grade: 61.2 - Conc. Grade Unit: g/t - Mass Pull: 7.3 % #### Lab - Laboratory: Base Metallurgical Laboratories Ltd. - Consultant: DRA Americas Inc. #### Review - Needs Review: Yes - Review Reason: historical\_restatement - Historical: Yes - Historical Source Date: 2023-03-06T00:00:00.000Z #### Dates - Event date: 2025-09-04T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: This fact represents the historical silver recovery baseline from the 2023 Feasibility Study, used for comparison with the new metallurgical test work results. - Negative factor: Historical Estimate Only Evidence · table > 78.8 Context: 7.3 ## How Atlas produces this analysis Minestarters Atlas uses automated extraction to summarize mining announcements, identify reported measurements, and classify supporting evidence. Sentiment reflects the extracted narrative and classification rules; it is an interpretation, not a reported measurement. Evidence quotes and context are provided where available. Missing data, low-confidence results, and review flags indicate limitations. Check the original publisher announcement before relying on an interpretation.