Mine D is a project to develop the reserves at the Kidd mine below the 6,800 foot level. This will extend the life of the Kidd mine to at least 2013 by developing the deepest base metals orebody in the world. The resources to be accessed are estimated at 24.4 million tonnes of 2.90% copper, 5.77% zinc, 0.25% lead and 75 grade per tonne silver.

The development of Mine D was approved in July 2000 and is on schedule for production to commence on Blocks 2 and 3 in late 2005 and late 2006, respectively. Once in full production, Mine D will contribute 1.8 million metric tonnes per year to the total mine production of 2.4 million metric tonnes per year.

The Mine D Project entails development of mineral reserves below the 6,800 foot level at Falconbridge's Kidd mine, thereby extending the mine life through 2013. Upon completion, Kidd Creek will become the deepest base metals mine in the world. Mine D contains proven plus probable reserves of 9.1 metric tonnes grading 1.74% copper, 6.45% zinc and 44 grams per tonne silver. The lower part of the deposit consists of 15.4 metric tonnes of inferred resources grading 3.0% copper, 4.6% zinc and 86 grams per tonne silver. Diamond drilling is currently underway to upgrade the resources. The project was approved by the Board of Directors in July 2000, with production from Block 1 commencing in Q3 2004. Blocks 2 and 3 are presently on schedule to enter production in Q4 2005 and Q4 2006 respectively. Once in full production, Mine D will contribute approximately 1.8 metric tonnes per year to the total mine production of 2.4 metric tonnes per year.

For more information, please contact projectsengineering@falconbridge.com.