# Highland Copper Announces Updated Process Plant Flow Sheet Demonstrating Increased Copper Recoveries of 87.6% and Reduced Processing Costs

Canonical Atlas analysis: https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--a783aca5-2995-4d7f-95ef-4314d6b7bd20

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, Gold

- Document categories: Metallurgy

- Extracted: 2026-09-12 07:25:46 UTC

Narrative sentiment: 0.80 · 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 anticipated to deliver increased copper recoveries of 87.6% at a 25% concentrate grade. The redesigned plant incorporates an MF2 circuit with Jameson cell ultrafine flotation technology and an optimized reagent scheme, which is expected to reduce processing costs by up to $1.00 per tonne milled. Glencore Technologies is prepared to offer a performance guarantee for the improved recovery estimate, providing strong confidence in the results.

Reasoning: The announcement details significant metallurgical improvements for the Copperwood Project, including higher copper recoveries, lower operating costs, and a more efficient process flowsheet validated by pilot-scale and locked-cycle tests, with a performance guarantee from a major technology provider. This de-risks the project and enhances its economics.

- Positive factor: Significant increase in projected copper recovery to 87.6% from 86% in 2023 FS, with a performance guarantee from Glencore Technologies.

- Positive factor: Reduced processing costs by up to $1.00 per tonne milled due to optimized reagent scheme.

- Positive factor: Implementation of a more efficient MF2 flowsheet and Jameson cell ultrafine flotation technology.

- Positive factor: Locked-cycle tests confirm improved concentrate grade \(32.9% Cu vs 25.1% Cu\) at comparable recovery.

- Positive factor: Pilot-scale testing with Jameson L150 cell shows improved rougher performance and higher concentrate grade \(5.4% Cu vs 4.5% Cu baseline\).

- Positive factor: Comprehensive testing program including kinetic, locked-cycle, and pilot-scale tests.

- Positive factor: Reduced comminution power requirements \(10-13.7% reduction\).

Low confidence — this extraction should be reviewed alongside the original source.

Facts used in scoring: 20

## Classification and evidence

**High Recovery**

Polarity: positive

Definition: Recovery at or above the exceptional band for the commodity and processing route.

Why it applies: Projected copper recovery of 87.6% is above the exceptional band for flotation \(92% for strong, 88% for moderate, 85% for weak\). While not exceptional, it is strong and a significant improvement.

Evidence · text

> average copper recovery of 87.6%

**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 projected copper recovery of 87.6% is an improvement over the 86% reported in the 2023 Feasibility Study.

Evidence · text

> average copper recovery of 87.6%... This marks a significant step-change from the 2023 Feasibility Study 1 , which reported 86% recovery

**Pilot Scale Complete**

Polarity: positive

Definition: Pilot or demonstration plant testing completed under continuous operation.

Why it applies: Pilot-scale testing was conducted using a Jameson L150 laboratory unit for ultrafine flotation technology.

Evidence · text

> the program advanced to the pilot application of ultrafine flotation using a Jameson L150 laboratory unit at Base Met Labs.

**Mill Route**

Polarity: neutral

Definition: Processing via mill or concentrator \(CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation\).

Why it applies: The processing route involves a mill-float-mill-float \(MF2\) flowsheet, indicating a mill/concentrator route.

Evidence · text

> Adopted a mill-float-mill-float \(“MF2”\) flowsheet

**Multi-Domain Tested**

Polarity: positive

Definition: Variability across ore domains \(oxide, transition, fresh\) has been addressed.

Why it applies: 4 distinct composites were tested

## Extracted facts

Stored fact records: 20. Some facts used in scoring do not have a stored record.

## Metallurgical Results (20)

### pilot plant

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--a783aca5-2995-4d7f-95ef-4314d6b7bd20#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: mill-float-mill-float \(MF2\) with Jameson cell ultrafine flotation
- 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: This is the headline result, indicating a substantial improvement in copper recovery with a strong concentrate grade, backed by a performance guarantee.

- Positive factor: Significant increase in projected recovery compared to previous studies.

- Positive factor: Performance guarantee from Glencore Technologies adds high confidence.

- Positive factor: Achieved at a high concentrate grade.

- Positive factor: Based on pilot-scale testing and simulation.

Evidence · text

> Copperwood is now expected to achieve average copper recovery of 87.6% at a concentrate grade of 25% copper

#### Tags used in scoring

**Mill Route**

Polarity: neutral

Definition: Processing via mill or concentrator \(CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation\).

Why it applies: processing\_route matches the flotation signal

**Pilot Scale Complete**

Polarity: positive

Definition: Pilot or demonstration plant testing completed under continuous operation.

Why it applies: test\_type names pilot-scale work

### feasibility study

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--a783aca5-2995-4d7f-95ef-4314d6b7bd20#fact-metallurgical-facts-1)

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: feasibility study
- Processing Route: unspecified

#### Recovery

- Recovery: 86 %
- Recovery Basis: unspecified
- Conc. Grade: 25
- Conc. Grade Unit: %

#### 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 is a historical benchmark used for comparison, showing the previous recovery and concentrate grade from the 2023 Feasibility Study.

Evidence · text

> This marks a significant step-change from the 2023 Feasibility Study 1 , which reported 86% recovery at 25% copper grade

### kinetic flotation

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--a783aca5-2995-4d7f-95ef-4314d6b7bd20#fact-metallurgical-facts-2)

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: optimization
- Test Type: kinetic flotation
- Processing Route: mill-float-mill-float \(MF2\) with optimized reagent scheme
- Sample: Composite sample

#### Recovery

- Recovery: 92.4 %
- Recovery Basis: actual\_test
- Conc. Grade: 4.5
- 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: High kinetic rougher recovery indicates strong initial performance of the new circuit and reagent scheme.

- Positive factor: High rougher recovery achieved.

- Positive factor: Statistically significant improvement over 2018 baseline.

- Positive factor: Demonstrates effectiveness of new flowsheet and reagents.

Evidence · text

> Test work with the MF2 circuit and optimized reagent scheme delivered kinetic rougher copper recoveries of up to 92.4% at the target rougher concentrate grade of 4.5% copper

#### Tags used in scoring

**Mill Route**

Polarity: neutral

Definition: Processing via mill or concentrator \(CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation\).

Why it applies: processing\_route matches the flotation signal

**High Recovery**

Polarity: positive

Definition: Recovery at or above the exceptional band for the commodity and processing route.

Why it applies: 92.4% is at or above the exceptional band \(92%\)

### locked-cycle

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--a783aca5-2995-4d7f-95ef-4314d6b7bd20#fact-metallurgical-facts-3)

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 circuit, optimized reagent scheme, closed-circuit cleaners
- Sample: Test C52, 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 results confirm robust performance with a substantial improvement in concentrate grade, which is highly positive for project economics.

- Positive factor: High concentrate grade achieved \(32.9% Cu\).

- Positive factor: Comparable recovery to 2023 FSU but with significantly higher grade.

- Positive factor: Locked-cycle tests provide a more realistic measure of performance.

Evidence · table

> 85.4

Context: 5.9

#### Tags used in scoring

**Mill Route**

Polarity: neutral

Definition: Processing via mill or concentrator \(CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation\).

Why it applies: processing\_route matches the flotation signal

### locked-cycle

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--a783aca5-2995-4d7f-95ef-4314d6b7bd20#fact-metallurgical-facts-4)

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 circuit, optimized reagent scheme, closed-circuit cleaners
- Sample: Test C52, 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: Iron recovery and grade from locked-cycle test, provided as part of polymetallic results.

Evidence · table

> 7.1

Context: 5.9

#### Tags used in scoring

**Mill Route**

Polarity: neutral

Definition: Processing via mill or concentrator \(CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation\).

Why it applies: processing\_route matches the flotation signal

### locked-cycle

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--a783aca5-2995-4d7f-95ef-4314d6b7bd20#fact-metallurgical-facts-5)

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 circuit, optimized reagent scheme, closed-circuit cleaners
- Sample: Test C52, 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: Silver recovery and grade from locked-cycle test, indicating good byproduct recovery.

- Positive factor: Good silver recovery as a byproduct.

Evidence · table

> 75.1

Context: 5.9

#### Tags used in scoring

**Mill Route**

Polarity: neutral

Definition: Processing via mill or concentrator \(CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation\).

Why it applies: processing\_route matches the flotation signal

### locked-cycle

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--a783aca5-2995-4d7f-95ef-4314d6b7bd20#fact-metallurgical-facts-6)

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 circuit, optimized reagent scheme, closed-circuit cleaners
- Sample: Test C52, 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: Sulfur recovery and grade from locked-cycle test, provided as part of polymetallic results.

Evidence · table

> 88.3

Context: 5.9

#### Tags used in scoring

**Mill Route**

Polarity: neutral

Definition: Processing via mill or concentrator \(CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation\).

Why it applies: processing\_route matches the flotation signal

### locked-cycle

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--a783aca5-2995-4d7f-95ef-4314d6b7bd20#fact-metallurgical-facts-7)

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: unspecified
- Sample: 2023 FSU Table 13.29

#### Recovery

- Recovery: 85.8 %
- Recovery Basis: unspecified
- 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: Historical locked-cycle test results from the 2023 FSU, used as a baseline for comparison.

Evidence · table

> 85.8

Context: 7.3

#### Tags used in scoring

**Mill Route**

Polarity: neutral

Definition: Processing via mill or concentrator \(CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation\).

Why it applies: processing\_route matches the flotation signal

### locked-cycle

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--a783aca5-2995-4d7f-95ef-4314d6b7bd20#fact-metallurgical-facts-8)

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: unspecified
- Sample: 2023 FSU Table 13.29

#### Recovery

- Recovery: 78.8 %
- Recovery Basis: unspecified
- 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: Historical silver recovery and grade from locked-cycle test in 2023 FSU, used for comparison.

Evidence · table

> 78.8

Context: 7.3

#### Tags used in scoring

**Mill Route**

Polarity: neutral

Definition: Processing via mill or concentrator \(CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation\).

Why it applies: processing\_route matches the flotation signal

### pilot plant

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--a783aca5-2995-4d7f-95ef-4314d6b7bd20#fact-metallurgical-facts-9)

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 circuit with Jameson L150 cell
- Sample: BL1847-38 Jamo L150

#### Recovery

- Recovery: 90 %
- Recovery Basis: actual\_test
- Head Grade: 2.25
- Head Grade Unit: %
- Conc. Grade: 5.4
- 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: Pilot-scale Jameson cell testing shows improved rougher concentrate grade, indicating enhanced performance of the ultrafine flotation technology.

- Positive factor: Higher concentrate grade \(5.4% Cu\) compared to bench-test baseline \(4.5% Cu\) at comparable recovery.

- Positive factor: Demonstrates improved selectivity and performance of Jameson cell technology.

Evidence · table

> 90.0

Context: 37.3

#### Tags used in scoring

**Pilot Scale Complete**

Polarity: positive

Definition: Pilot or demonstration plant testing completed under continuous operation.

Why it applies: test\_type names pilot-scale work

### grind optimization

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--a783aca5-2995-4d7f-95ef-4314d6b7bd20#fact-metallurgical-facts-10)

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: optimization
- Test Type: grind optimization
- Processing Route: primary milling circuit
- Grind P80: 80 µm

#### 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: Extraction of optimized primary grind size, a key process parameter.

- Positive factor: Optimized grind size for primary circuit.

Evidence · text

> Primary circuit grind P80: 80 µm

### grind optimization

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--a783aca5-2995-4d7f-95ef-4314d6b7bd20#fact-metallurgical-facts-11)

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: optimization
- Test Type: grind optimization
- Processing Route: secondary milling circuit
- Grind P80: 38 µm

#### 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: Extraction of optimized secondary grind size, a key process parameter.

- Positive factor: Optimized grind size for secondary circuit.

Evidence · text

> Secondary circuit grind P80: 38 µm

### grind optimization

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--a783aca5-2995-4d7f-95ef-4314d6b7bd20#fact-metallurgical-facts-12)

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: optimization
- Test Type: grind optimization
- Processing Route: regrind mill
- Grind P80: 10 µm

#### 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: Extraction of optimized regrind size for rougher concentrate, a key process parameter.

- Positive factor: Optimized regrind size for rougher concentrate.

Evidence · text

> a 1.5 MW regrind mill \(1.4 MW projected draw\) will regrind the rougher concentrate to a target P80 of 10 µm

### reagent scheme optimization

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--a783aca5-2995-4d7f-95ef-4314d6b7bd20#fact-metallurgical-facts-13)

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: optimization
- Test Type: reagent scheme optimization

#### Reagents

- Reagent Notes: Flotation reagents accounted for $6.50 per tonne milled in operating costs in 2023 FSU.

#### 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: Historical reagent cost from 2023 FSU for comparison.

Evidence · table

> $ 6.50

Context: Contribution to operating cost \($/t milled\)

### reagent scheme optimization

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--a783aca5-2995-4d7f-95ef-4314d6b7bd20#fact-metallurgical-facts-14)

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: optimization
- Test Type: reagent scheme optimization

#### Reagents

- Reagent Notes: Revised 2025 reagent suite projected to reduce cost to $5.49 per tonne milled.

#### 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: Optimized reagent scheme leads to substantial cost savings and improved EH&S profile, positively impacting project economics.

- Positive factor: Significant reduction in reagent operating costs.

- Positive factor: Improved environmental, health, and safety \(EH&S\) profile.

Evidence · table

> $ 5.49

Context: Contribution to operating cost \($/t milled\)

### sample assay

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--a783aca5-2995-4d7f-95ef-4314d6b7bd20#fact-metallurgical-facts-15)

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: scoping
- Test Type: sample assay
- Sample: Composite sample

#### Recovery

- Head Grade: 2.14
- Head 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: Head grade of the composite sample used for metallurgical testing.

Evidence · table

> 2.14

Context: 404.0

### sample assay

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--a783aca5-2995-4d7f-95ef-4314d6b7bd20#fact-metallurgical-facts-16)

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: scoping
- Test Type: sample assay
- Sample: Composite sample

#### Recovery

- Head Grade: 6.04
- Head 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: Head grade of iron in the composite sample used for metallurgical testing.

Evidence · table

> 6.04

Context: 404.0

### sample assay

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--a783aca5-2995-4d7f-95ef-4314d6b7bd20#fact-metallurgical-facts-17)

Copperwood Project · gold

#### Identity

- Project: Copperwood Project
- Commodity: gold
- Region: michigan’s upper peninsula
- Reported Region: Michigan’s Upper Peninsula
- Ticker: HI

#### Test Work

- Program Status: scoping
- Test Type: sample assay
- Sample: Composite sample

#### Recovery

- Head Grade: 0.02
- Head Grade Unit: g/t

#### 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: Head grade of gold in the composite sample used for metallurgical testing.

Evidence · table

> 0.02

Context: 404.0

### sample assay

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--a783aca5-2995-4d7f-95ef-4314d6b7bd20#fact-metallurgical-facts-18)

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: scoping
- Test Type: sample assay
- Sample: Composite sample

#### Recovery

- Head Grade: 5.7
- Head Grade Unit: g/t

#### 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: Head grade of silver in the composite sample used for metallurgical testing.

Evidence · table

> 5.70

Context: 404.0

### sample assay

[Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/highland-copper-announces-updated-process-plant-flow-sheet-demonstrating-increas--a783aca5-2995-4d7f-95ef-4314d6b7bd20#fact-metallurgical-facts-19)

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: scoping
- Test Type: sample assay
- Sample: Composite sample

#### Recovery

- Head Grade: 0.61
- Head 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: Head grade of sulfur in the composite sample used for metallurgical testing.

Evidence · table

> 0.61

Context: 404.0

## 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.