Antofagasta approves second Centinela concentrator

Copper miner Antofagasta has approved, after extensive review, a multi billion-dollar expansion of its Centinela operation in Chile, including a second concentrator that will add an estimated 170,000 copper equivalent tonnes annually. Initial construction and critical path works for the Centinela Second Concentrator project will begin immediately, with full construction expected to commence after definitive project finance documents have been…

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Antofagasta, workers union begin mediation

Chilean copper miner Antofagasta and a union representing workers at its Centinela mine began a government mediation process on December 5 to avoid a potential strike, reported Reuters. Last month, the workers union, which represents nearly 400 employees, overwhelmingly rejected a contract proposal from Antofagasta, causing the miner to request mediation from the Chilean government. The mediation process will last…

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Galan Lithium kicks off pond construction at Argentine project

Australian-based Galan Lithium has commenced full phase 1 pond construction at its flagship Hombre Muerto West (HMW) lithium brine project in Catamarca Province, Argentina, with the goal to deliver lithium chloride production in the first half of 2025. The first milestone is to build, line and fill with brine the first pond of the system by Q1 2024. The pond…

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Mitsubishi invests C$20 million in Marimaca Copper

Marimaca Copper said Mitsubishi has made a C$20 million equity investment into the company by way of non-brokered private placement. Proceeds will be used to advance and accelerate the development of Marimaca’s flagship project in the Antofagasta region of northern Chile. “We are pleased that Mitsubishi shares our view that the Marimaca Copper project is a unique, very high quality,…

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Codelco’s El Teniente mine earns Copper Mark

Chile state-owned copper producer Codelco has received the highly sought-after Copper Mark sustainability certification for its El Teniente operation. A Reuters report said the news comes after Codelco confirmed last year it would seek the certification for all of its mines by the end of this year, with El Teniente, south of Santiago, being first. Chile’s largest global copper producer,…

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Thiess inks Chile copper contract

Thiess, as it grows its footprint in Chile, has been retained by Minera Centinela for a A$155 million full-service mining contract at the Llano project in the Sierra Gorda District of Antofagasta. Under the letter of agreement (LOA), work will begin this month. The scope of work includes mining operations, maintenance and asset management services for the greenfield copper mine,…

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Five new electric Liebherrs roll in at Encuentro

Thiess has confirmed that a fleet of five new electric-drive Liebherr T 264s have made their entrance, decked out in Thiess blue, at Antofagasto’s Encuentro copper operation in northern Chile. The arrival, which is an expansion to Thiess’ 240-tonne fleet range, underscores its dedication to expansion in the region, Thiess officials said, allowing for increased productivity and efficiency through faster…

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Escondida goes big, moves to renew entire fleet

BHP, owner of the Escondida copper operation in the Antofagasta region of northern Chile, is collaborating with Caterpillar and Finning International to replace Escondida’s entire haul truck fleet. Under the agreement, which the group jointly confirmed is part of a strategic equipment renewal process developed by Escondida, the mine will take delivery of new Caterpillar 798 AC electric-drive trucks with…

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Codelco names Sougarret CEO

Chilean copper producer Codelco has named a new CEO: Andre Sougarret. According to a Reuters report citing a company statement, he replaces Octavio Areneda, who is stepping down for personal reasons effective 29 August. Sougarret was most recently vice president for the company’s northern operations. He is currently on medical leave, Reuters noted, so his appointment will be effective once…

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