Brenda Copper/Molybdenum Mine

 mine, mining

 Upload a photo

The Brenda copper-molybdenum mine operated from the late 1960s until 1990. During this period, approximately 200 million tonnes of ore were mined and milled. The mine produced 278,000 tonnes of copper and 66,000 tonnes of molybdenum in concentrate form, and employed between 350 and 400 people during the operation. The mine site, at 1460 metres altitude, occupies a divide between the headwaters of Trepanier Creek and Peachland Creek, both tributaries to Okanagan Lake.

The orebody was discovered by the Sandberg family while searching for gold and silver in the 1930’s. There was little activity until 1954, when Bob Bechtel, a Penticton prospector, staked a claim. He contacted Noranda, but although there were showings of molybdenum, the low grade of copper found, and the lack of a market for molybdenum, made it impractical to proceed.

In 1967, Noranda assumed management control and undertook a feasibility study. By this time, technological advances had made the mine economically viable. Copper-molybdenum production began in early 1970, at a volume of 24,000 tons per day. Gradually, daily production increased to 33,000 tons.

Noranda Inc. assumed 100% ownership of Brenda in 1996. Falconbridge Limited and Noranda Inc. merged in June 2005, and the merged company continued under the name Falconbridge Limited. In August 2006, Xstrata PLC purchased all outstanding shares of Falconbridge Limited and is now the owner of the property.

As reclamation of the mine site was completed, water filled the open pit. The company built a water treatment facility in 1998 and continues to treat the pit and tailings pond water to reduce the metal content (molybdenum) before it is discharged into Trepanier Creek community watershed. Treatment will likely be necessary for the next 150-200 years.

www.brendamines.ca/EN/Pages/default.aspx