Capstone explores Minto mine expansion

Exploratory drilling results at Capstone Mining Corp.'s Minto mine could lead to an expansion of the central Yukon copper mine.

Capstone president Stephen Quin said drilling results from an area known as Minto North confirmed earlier results from the summer, paving the way for the Vancouver-based company to work on the mine's next phase.

"It should add life and potential for additional throughput — not significantly different from where we are today, but, you know, potentially another modest expansion," Quin said Monday.

Quin said the company will be applying to the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment board for amendments to its existing permits.

"That will trigger a review process and an assessment process on the implications of mining, you know, [a] larger area, more material, et cetera," he said.

Quin said he hopes to file a permit amendment application to the assessment board later this year.

Expanding the Pelly Crossing-area mine, which began commercial production in October 2007, would not necessarily mean more jobs, but existing jobs would last longer, Quin said.