Overview
The Blue Moon mineral processing facility is designed to treat 657,000 tonnes per year (1,800 tonnes/day) of mineralized material through a sequential flotation process. The plant produces primary copper and zinc concentrates, with an optional pyrite concentrate as a secondary product. The circuit features crushing, grinding, and selective flotation stages followed by concentrate dewatering and tailings management systems.
Key Process Stages
- Crushing Plant: Primary jaw crusher reduces ROM material to 80% passing 5 inches (127 mm)
- Grinding Circuit: SAG mill (13.8′ dia x 6.9′ EGL) open circuit + ball mill (11.8′ dia x 17.7′ EGL) closed circuit with cyclones to achieve P80 of 74 µm
- Copper Flotation: 5 rougher cells (10 m³ each) + 3-stage cleaning circuit with regrind to 20 µm
- Zinc Flotation: 5 rougher cells (10 m³ each) + 3-stage cleaning circuit with regrind to 20 µm
- Pyrite Flotation (Optional): 5 rougher cells (10 m³ each)
- Concentrate Handling: Dedicated thickeners and filter presses for each product (8% moisture copper/zinc, 15% moisture pyrite)
- Tailings Management: Thickening to 60% solids, filtration to 15% moisture, with options for dry stack storage or paste backfill
Critical Data
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual Throughput | 657,000 t/year |
| Daily Throughput | 1,800 t/day |
| Head Grade (Cu) | 0.56% |
| Head Grade (Zn) | 5.65% |
| Copper Recovery | 93.1% |
| Zinc Recovery | 95.3% |
| Final Grind Size (P80) | 74 µm |
| SAG Mill Power | 927 HP |
| Ball Mill Power | 855 HP |
| Copper Concentrate Grade | 26.5% Cu |
| Zinc Concentrate Grade | 62.3% Zn |
Circuit Highlights
The plant features several innovative design elements including sequential flotation to optimize copper and zinc recovery separately, vertical regrind mills for both concentrates, and flexible tailings management with options for either dry stack storage or paste backfill for underground operations. The optional pyrite circuit provides potential future value through sulphur removal from tailings.
Equipment Summary
- Crushing: JC106 jaw crusher with 115t live capacity bin
- Grinding: 13.8’x6.9′ SAG mill + 11.8’x17.7′ ball mill in closed circuit with cyclones
- Flotation: 10 m³ forced air tank cells for all rougher stages
- Filtration: Tower filter presses for copper/zinc (95 ft² and 363 ft² respectively)
- Tailings: 52.5′ diameter thickener + 1,754 ft² filter press
Technical report and processing history
The following archived source profiles have been consolidated here to preserve the project’s processing history and study context.
Blue Moon Mine — 2025 Technical Report
Blue Moon Mine — 2025 Technical Report
| Company | Blue Moon Metals Inc. |
| Mine | Blue Moon Mine |
| Date | March 2025 |
| Commodities | Copper, Zinc, Lead, Gold, Silver |
| Throughput | 1,800 tpd |
| Status | Development |
Executive Summary
The Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the Blue Moon Mine outlines a process design focused on treating mineralized material from the Blue Moon deposit via a sequential flotation process. The facility is designed to treat 657,000 tonnes per year (1,800 tonnes/day) of underground ore, producing copper and zinc concentrates as primary products. The process includes crushing, SAG and ball mill grinding, and dedicated flotation circuits for copper, zinc, and optional pyrite recovery.
Dewatering is achieved through thickeners and filter presses, with concentrates loaded into shipping containers. Tailings are processed for either dry stack storage or paste backfill into the underground mine. The design incorporates a paste backfill plant using cement and filtered tailings to support underground mining operations.
Testwork was completed by SGS Lakefield. The base case excludes pyrite concentrate sales but includes infrastructure for it. The plant operates 24/7 with specific availability rates for crushing (65%) and grinding/flotation (92%).
Website: https://bluemoonmetals.com/
Report Date: March 2025
Region:
Project Status: Development
Commodity: Copper, Zinc, Lead, Gold, Silver
Throughput: 1,800 tpd
Mine Life:
Mine Type:
Ore type:
