Rio Tinto has approved construction of a new 25-megawatt solar plant at its Kennecott copper operation in Utah, bringing the mine’s total solar capacity to 30 MW. It will be located next to an existing 5-MW solar plant. Full story.
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Marcobre’s Ina Justa earns Copper Mark
Miner Marcobre, owner of the Mine Justa copper operation in the Ica region of Peru, has received certification from The Copper Mark. The company said in a social media posting that the certification is good for three years. It is just the third mine, aside from Cerro Verde and Condestable, in Peru to earn recognition for its environmental, social and…
Read MoreKennecott moves to renewable diesel
Rio Tinto said it will transition its fleet of 90 haul trucks and all heavy machinery to renewable diesel at its Kennecott copper operation in Utah next year. The decision comes after a successful seven-month trial at Kennecott’s Bingham Canyon mine. Full story.
Read MoreLomas Bayas begins autonomous operations
Glencore has announced that, through Lomas Lab, it is seeking to become a world leader in the development of technologies associated with Mining 4.0, centered from its Minera Lomas Bayas copper operation in Sierra Gorda within the Antofagasta region. After its launch on the 25th anniversary, Minera Lomas Bayas has continued to develop the Lomas Lab, the technology creation initiative…
Read MoreFive 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…
Read MoreLeaching technology in action at Freeport’s El Abra
Jetti Resources has inked a deal with Freeport-McMoRan for its leaching technology deployment at the El Abra copper operation in Chile. The deal for the placement, which is between Jetti and Sociedad Contractual Minera El Abra, is the first in Chile, and the second for Jetti at a Freeport mine. The first was the Bagdad mine in Arizona last year.…
Read MorePeru copper mine hit by vandals
A Glencore copper operation in Peru has been targeted by vandals amid a rash of protests in the southern Andes, according to reports. Reuters said on 12 January that political protestors attacked the Antapaccay copper mine that day, citing a statement from a top mining official. The country is currently in the throes of its worst civil unrest in several…
Read MoreEscondida 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…
Read MorePumpkin Hollow gets restart plan
A restart of operations and ramp-up of production is in the future of Nevada Copper’s Pumpkin Hollow complex in Yerington, Nev., after the company came to an agreement with lenders for a US$93 million infusion of funding for the underground mine. Read full article.
Read MoreAntamina owners seeking 2023 approval for expansion project
Peru’s largest copper operation Antamina is hoping to get the green light for an extension of its mine life to 2036 from environmental authorities by early next year, the company’s chief executive officer has reportedly said. Antamina CEO Victor Gobitz told Reuters that it is hoping to get that approval by early next year for an expansion project it first…
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