Antamina Plans to Invest US$2 Billion to Extend Peru Copper-Zinc Mine Life to 2036

Written by Amir Richani for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The Antamina mine in Peru aims to expand its operations from 2024 through 2036, with plans to increase production and develop more efficient mining processes over these eight years.

Mine operator Antamina has announced US$2 billion in investments from 2028 to extend its life-of-mine operations through 2036, as detailed by Claudia Cooper, the company's Vice President for Sustainability and External Affairs, in a recent interview with Peru21.

The company received approval for its environmental impact study for the expansion of its mine in February 2024, enabling it to proceed with the project.

The mine's project includes a pit expansion with in-pit waste crushing and conveying systems to reduce haulage demands as the pit deepens. It also contemplates a 30-meter rise of the existing tailings dam to create additional tailings, new mining equipment, and an expanded truck shop.

"We're going to expand the installed capacity of the current operation. This means expanding the dumps, tailings dams, and mining components to be able to continue operating for another eight years. The construction permits have already been granted, and we're beginning that process," mentioned Cooper in the interview with Peru21.

With these developments, the company forecasts annual copper production of 430,000 tons between 2028 and 2036, when the current expansion phase is expected to end. However, opportunities to extend the mine's life beyond 2038 are currently being explored.

Subscribers to Industrial Info's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) Metals & Minerals Project and Plant databases can click here for project reports related to the Antamina mine expansion, and click here for the plant profile.

Located in the Ancash Province region of Peru, the Antamina mine has been in operation for 25 years. It is owned by a consortium composed of BHP and Glencore (33.75% each), Teck (22.5%) and Mitsubishi Corporation (10%).

Last year, the Antamina mine produced 427,000 tons of copper and 268,000 tons of zinc, making it one of Peru's key assets.

The South American nation hosted PERUMIN 37, a conference held between September 22 and September 26, aimed at attracting investors and companies to the development of Peru's mineral resources. New announcements and projects are expected to emerge from the event.

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