London’s largest pure-play copper mining company, Antofagasta PLC, recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of its largest copper mine, Los Pelambres. As one of the largest copper mines in the world, Los Pelambres has produced more than 8.5 Mt of copper to date, including 320,000 t of copper in 2024, and the mine continues to create value for investors, local stakeholders and Chile.
Alongside this, the mine’s major projects underway today will help to deliver another 25 years of production and value creation. Following the completion of the Phase 1 Expansion project in 2024, Antofagasta is progressing with two new projects: a new concentrate pipeline which will follow a less populated route, and the expansion of the desalination plant which will substantially move Antofagasta towards its target of 90% of water use coming from either sea water or recirculated water sources. Both projects are advancing on budget and on schedule, supported by over 3,000 contractors deployed across the two projects.
Landmark innovation, such as the ongoing trial of trolley-assist technology, will ensure that the mine stays competitive well into the future. The trolley-assist system, powered entirely by renewable energy, is expected to help reduce the mine’s diesel consumption by haul trucks, providing savings both in terms of costs and Scope 1 emissions. The trial, which includes feasibility studies, is expected to take place over the next 2-3 years.
The miner adds that ensuring best-in-class community engagement has always been, and will continue to be, critical to the success of the operations at Los Pelambres. “Our Somos Choapa programme, supporting various initiatives in our host communities in the Choapa Valley, implemented over 150 projects in its first ten-year cycle (which finished in 2024). The next cycle of engagement for Somos Choapa is now being planned, with a focus on resilience to climate change and fostering social improvement.”
The company adds: “Los Pelambres is a copper mine with an exciting future. Having recently submitted an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Development Options Project, which outlines an extension of the mine life to 2051. Approval would mean that Los Pelambres could continue to create value for all stakeholders. Copper markets are facing a structural shortage due to supply-side constraints, coupled with rising demand from global economic growth, electrification, the rise in the digital economy and energy security.
Over at the Minera Centinela mine, Antofagasta is expecting the arrival of 3,600 t of equipment from around the world for the various areas of its expansion project, Nueva Centinela. Imports are projected through the end of this year. Cargoes from China, Europe, Vietnam, Brazil, and Canada are moving toward Puerto Angamos with key inputs for the company’s new concentrator and material handling Plant.
Following the arrival of the first shipment containing sections of ball mills No. 1 and No. 2, the high-pressure roller mills (HGPR) began their entry into the second concentrator section, currently under construction to expand Centinela’s processing capacity in the Antofagasta Region. Meanwhile, the gearless mill drive system (GMD) is in transit from Spain.
Most of this equipment will arrive at the ports of Antofagasta and Angamos (Mejillones), and from there, the logistical operations will begin. These operations require permits, coordination, and the transportation of more than 400 trucks to the operation located in the Sierra Gorda commune.