07:24 AM EDT, 04/24/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Imperial Metals ( IPMLF ) reported lower copper and gold production for the first quarter 2026 from Red Chris mine, the company said after markets closed on Thursday.

Red Chris metal production for the first quarter of 2026 was 18.982 million pounds copper and 20,108 ounces gold, compared to 23.126 million pounds copper and 21,663 ounces gold produced during the same quarter of 2025. Both copper and gold production were down compared with the first quarter of 2025, with copper production down 18% and gold production down 7%, said the company.

The copper production fell as a result of a 16% decrease in copper grade, with higher recovery and lower throughput, said the company and added that the decrease in gold production was a result of lower gold grade in the mill feed and lower throughput, offset by better gold recovery compared to the same quarter last year.

"Imperial's 30% share of Red Chris mine production was 5.695 million pounds copper and 6,032 ounces gold," said the company.

Both copper and gold production were however in line with the budgeted 2026 production, said the company and added that the guidance for 2026 Red Chris production (100%) remains 60 - 66 million pounds of copper and 47,500 - 52,500 ounces of gold.