Antofagasta marks 25 years of Los Pelambres
London-listed Antofagasta has marked the twenty-fifth anniversary of its flagship Los Pelambres copper mine, celebrating more than 8.5-million tonnes of copper production to date and setting the stage for decades more of output through expansion and sustainability initiatives.
The Chile-based Los Pelambres mine, which produced 320 000 t of copper in 2024, is one of the world’s largest copper operations.
Following the completion of its Phase 1 Expansion project in 2024, Antofagasta is pressing ahead with two key developments: a new concentrate pipeline rerouted to avoid densely populated areas, and an expansion of the desalination plant to help the company reach its goal of sourcing 90% of water from seawater or recirculated sources. More than 3 000 contractors are currently working on the two projects, which remain on budget and on schedule.
The company is also trialling trolley-assist technology powered entirely by renewable energy, aimed at cutting diesel use and Scope 1 emissions from haul trucks. The feasibility study and trial period are expected to span the next two to three years.
Community engagement remains central to operations, with Antofagasta highlighting its Somos Choapa programme, which has implemented more than 150 projects in Chile’s Choapa Valley during its first ten-year cycle, completed in 2024. The next phase will focus on climate resilience and social development.
Antofagasta has also submitted an environmental-impact assessment for its Development Options project, which could extend the mine’s life to 2051 if approved. “Los Pelambres is a copper mine with an exciting future,” the company said.
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