Management confirms the installation is the first stage of its expansion project, which will bring its plant capacity from 40,000 tonnes per day to 45,000t/d.

"The installation of the DFRs increases the efficiency and the capacity of the current cleaner circuit, which is expected to increase copper concentrate grade from about 25% to 28%, resulting in lower concentrate transportation, smelting and refining costs," the company said.

"The next stage for the mill expansion project is the installation of the third ball mill. With [that], we expect production to increase by 15% to 18% as a result of higher throughput and improved recoveries."

President and CEO Gil Clausen said the addition of the DFRs was a low capital, high return project, and the mine is already seeing improved concentrate grades.

Copper Mountain, which owns 75% of the mine near Princeton, produces about 90 million pounds of copper equivalent annually there. It also has the permitted, development-stage Eva copper project in Queensland, Australia.