Chilean state-run copper producer Codelco started production from the expansion to its El Teniente division on Thursday January 23, 10 months ahead of schedule, the company said on the day.
The expansion is the first step in a project that will increase mine life by 50 years by 2023, Codelco added.
The miner has invested $759 million in phase 1 of the expansion, called the Recursos Norte project, whose operations were expected to begin in November this year. The next steps toward extending the life of the mine will be the Diamante and Andesita projects, both of which are already under construction, and the future Andes Norte project.
Located at...