Rio2 advancing Fenix gold mine

Canadian-based Rio2 Limited is making strides at its Fenix gold mine in the Maricunga Gold Belt of the Atacama region of Chile. Pre-construction activities first commenced in 2022, prior to the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project being rejected by the Chilean environmental regulators. Those activities included ordering and securing of long lead items for the construction of the…

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Rio2 receives key Fenix permits

Miner Rio2 said its Chilean subsidiary, Fenix Gold, has received the principal sectorial permits it requires to begin construction at its Fenix gold project in the Maricunga Gold Belt of the Atacama Region, Chile.  “The team at both Rio2 and Fenix Gold have done a great job in obtaining these permits, which will allow the company to complete its debt…

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First gold at Salares Norte in Chile

Gold Fields has started production at its Salares Norte mine in Chile’s Atacama province with the pouring of its first gold-silver doré on 28 March. “Salares Norte’s construction is credit to the innovation, experience, commitment, and persistence of the teams that worked on the project. To build a remote mine at 4,500m above sea level with winter temperatures as low…

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Codelco makes deal with supervisors union

Chile’s state-owned Codelco has reached an agreement on a new contract with the union representing supervisors at its Chuquicamata copper mine, reported Reuters. “Codelco appreciates and values ​​the dialogue and shared vision of the reality experienced by the company and, in particular, Chuquicamata,” said the miner, who did not specify the financial details of the contract. The agreement, noted Codelco,…

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Commissioning kicks off at Capstone’s Mantoverde

Canadian copper-focused developer Capstone Copper has confirmed the start of commissioning activities at its Mantoverde development project (MDP) in Chile. First ore was introduced to the primary crusher on 29 November. Mantoverde said it will continue to systematically commission the concentrator plant and is on track to reach nameplate production levels of 32,000 tonnes per day by mid-2024. “We just…

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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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Williams named Chile mining minister

Chilean president Gabriel Boric has reportedly appointed Aurora Williams as the new mining minister for the country. Williams, according to Reuters, was placed after a reshuffle of cabinet members as the government seeks to advance key reforms, and replaces Marcela Hernando. She last served in the same seat from 2014-2018 under previous president Michelle Bachelet. “I invite the ministers to…

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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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BHP embraces digital tech at Escondida

BHP and Microsoft have teamed up to improve the performance of the concentrator at the Escondida operation in Chile using advanced digital technology. The companies hope to boost copper recovery at the world’s largest copper mine. BHP Chief Technical Officer Laura Tyler said by augmenting digital technology capabilities with new ways of working, the team at Escondida is well-positioned to…

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