BHP has submitted a multibillion-dollar expansion project at its Escondida mine to Chile’s environmental authorities, as part of a long-term plan to sustain production at the world’s largest copper operation.
The company this week lodged the “Escondida New Concentrator” project with the Environmental Assessment System, outlining an investment of between $4.4-billion and $5.9-billion to replace ageing infrastructure and maintain output levels over the coming decades.
The proposed development will replace the existing Los Colorados processing plant, which is nearing the end of its operating life, with a new concentrator designed to produce between 220 000 t/y and 260 000 t/y of copper.
Los Colorados is expected to be decommissioned and demolished once the new facility is operational.
The project forms part of BHP’s investment strategy for Escondida, aimed at sustaining processing capacity at about 460 000 t/d of ore and maintaining production within currently approved limits.
Subject to environmental approval, construction is expected to span several years, with first production targeted between 2031 and 2032.
BHP said the development would also have a significant impact on employment and supplier activity during the construction phase, with an average workforce of about 2 500 people a month and peak labour demand of up to 6 000 workers.