Highland Copper is accelerating development of its Copperwood Project in Michigan ahead of an updated feasibility study targeted for the first quarter of 2027. The company said the work is supported by rising long-term copper prices, ongoing engineering improvements, and new processing technologies. Highland Copper described the project as moving into a critical phase intended to strengthen its economics and position among undeveloped copper projects in the United States.
The company also linked its development schedule to copper demand driven by electrification, renewable energy infrastructure, electric vehicles, and expanding power grids. Highland Copper said projects capable of supplying domestic copper are becoming increasingly important. It further stated that it views Copperwood as potentially relevant to future US critical mineral supply chains.
Copperwood resource base and updated price assumptions
Highland Copper reported that the Copperwood Project hosts measured and indicated resources totalling 54.2 million tonnes grading 1.51% copper. The company said this resource base provides a foundation for mine development and supports optimization of production plans ahead of a construction decision. As part of the updated feasibility work, Highland Copper is reassessing mine planning assumptions using a long-term copper price of approximately $4.80 per pound.
Management is evaluating whether lower cut-off grades could expand the mineable resource inventory. Highland Copper said such an adjustment could unlock additional copper-bearing material and potentially increase the project’s overall production profile and mine life.
Upper Copper Bearing Sequence expansion review
One area under review is the Upper Copper Bearing Sequence (UCBS), described as a mineralized zone outside the current reserve estimate. Highland Copper said the UCBS contains approximately 10.2 million tonnes grading 1.1% copper in the measured and indicated category. The company stated that this material is not currently included in mine reserves.
Highland Copper said it is examining whether emerging technologies and revised economic assumptions could make the UCBS viable for future extraction. The company is focused on evaluating bulk ore sorting technologies to improve resource utilization and reduce processing costs. If successful, it said ore sorting could enable inclusion of the UCBS in future mine plans.
Underground design refinements from geotechnical studies
Geotechnical investigations are underway as Highland Copper refines its underground mining design for Copperwood. Current studies are aimed at optimizing mining heights, pillar dimensions, ground stability, and sources of dilution. The company reported early findings indicating dilution may originate primarily from the mineralized hanging wall rather than the mine floor.
Highland Copper said these refinements are expected to improve resource recovery and support more efficient mining operations across the life of the project.
Processing changes targeting higher life-of-mine recovery
In parallel with mine design work, Highland Copper is pursuing processing enhancements intended to maximize copper recovery while reducing operating costs. Metallurgical testing completed in late 2025 evaluated an alternative mill-float-mill-float processing flowsheet. The company said results were encouraging.
According to Highland Copper, projected life-of-mine copper recovery could increase to approximately 87.6%, compared with 86% outlined in the 2023 feasibility study. It added that reduced secondary milling requirements, lower reagent consumption, and decreased energy usage could follow from the revised approach.
The company noted that these projections are based on laboratory testing and engineering assumptions and require validation under actual operating conditions.
Thickened tailings test work for storage facility design
Highland Copper said environmental and operational efficiency considerations are part of its development strategy for Copperwood. Test work conducted by Responsible Mining Solutions in Sudbury, Ontario demonstrated thickened tailings containing approximately 55% solids by mass can be produced for the project. Highland Copper is now evaluating how thickened tailings technology could be integrated into its tailings storage facility design.
If implemented, Highland Copper said thickened tailings could reduce the footprint of the storage facility, lower initial construction costs, improve water recovery rates, and decrease long-term pumping requirements.
FEED progress and integration into updated feasibility study
The company said its technical program is intended to support both project economics and future financing discussions. Highland Copper is targeting completion of approximately 40% of Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) by the end of 2026. It said this milestone would provide technical input for detailed due diligence with potential lenders, investors, and strategic partners.
The updated feasibility study scheduled for early 2027 is expected to integrate recent engineering, metallurgical, geotechnical, and processing improvements into a comprehensive development plan.
Copperwood’s role amid limited US large-scale projects
Highland Copper stated that Copperwood is advancing as few large-scale copper projects in the United States are nearing production. It cited demand growth from renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, battery infrastructure, data centers, and grid modernization projects as factors expected to increase pressure on domestic copper supply. Industry analysts referenced by Highland Copper continue to forecast long-term deficits as global consumption outpaces new mine development.
The company said that against this backdrop, Copperwood represents a potentially important source of future US copper production. Highland Copper CEO Barry O’Shea noted that stronger copper price forecasts, engineering enhancements, and resource optimization opportunities could improve the project’s value proposition as construction planning progresses.
