VANCOUVER – A major milestone is being reported for Eldorado Gold Corporation for their McIlvenna Bay Project in northeast Saskatchewan.
The company has announced Tuesday in a news release that the first copper concentrate has been produced at their recently completed processing plant.
Eldorado Gold says in a statement that this “represents a significant addition to Eldorado's already diversified portfolio and further strengthens the Company's Canadian operating platform.”
"Achieving first concentrate at McIlvenna Bay is a significant milestone, not just for Eldorado but for Canadian mining,” said George Burns, Chief Executive Officer, in a statement.
“This project is a compelling example of Canada's ability to advance critical mineral assets responsibly and with conviction. McIlvenna Bay diversifies our revenue base with substantial copper and zinc production, and alongside our Skouries project in Greece, will transform Eldorado into a high-margin, free cash flow generating business. We are proud to become part of the Saskatchewan mining community and look forward to building lasting relationships with our employees, Indigenous rightsholders and local communities and all levels of government as we advance this exceptional asset together."
The company says their operating team is now focused on ramp-up toward its design capacity, also called its nameplate capacity, of 4,900 tonnes per day, with commercial production at McIlvenna Bay expected to happen in the third quarter of 2026.
"First concentrate at McIlvenna Bay is great news for Saskatchewan and for Canada,” said Premier Scott Moe in a statement.
“This project is a testament to what is possible when responsible resource development, strong Indigenous partnerships, and committed investors come together in a premier mining jurisdiction. McIlvenna Bay will generate jobs, economic activity, and long-term prosperity for communities across Saskatchewan for decades to come. We congratulate Eldorado Gold on reaching this important milestone and look forward to the project's continued success."
The McIllvenna Bay project had been one of the initial five major projects that had been selected for the Major Projects Office in 2025 by the federal government.
"This milestone at McIlvenna Bay demonstrates how Canada is seizing this moment, and the momentum of this project following its referral to the Major Projects Office by the Prime Minister in 2025," said Tim Hodgson, federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, in a statement.
“It is a perfect example of how we are moving quickly, responsibly, and in partnership with provinces and Indigenous Peoples to become an energy and mining superpower. Copper and zinc underpin clean energy, national security, and industrial supply chains – and now, Canada is delivering them, for ourselves and our allies. I congratulate Eldorado Gold, the Province of Saskatchewan, and all the partners who made this milestone possible. This is how we build Canada Strong for all."
