Antamina mine

The Antamina mine in the Andes Mountains of Peru is one of the largest copper/zinc mines in the world. It is an open pit mine which had an estimated life of mine at 15 years. It also produced molybdenum. The mine is jointly owned by Teck Resources, BHP, Glencore, and Mitsubishi Corporation^[2] and independently operated by Compañía Minera Antamina S.A.^[1] It produced 390,800 tons of copper concentrate in 2006, 461,000 tons^[4] in 2013. The total capital expenditure of the mine by 2013 was US$2.3 billion. İt is located at an altitude of 4,300 meters above sea level.^[5]

Antamina mine

Tailings pond at the Antamina mine
Location
Antamina mine
Department	Ancash[1]
Country	Peru
Coordinates	9.5372°S 77.0611°W / -9.5372; -77.0611
Production
Products	Copper, zinc, molybdenum
Type	Open-pit[2]
History
Opened	October 1, 2001 (2001-10-01)[3]
Owner
Company	Teck Resources (22.5%), BHP (33.75%), Glencore (33.75%), Mitsubishi Corporation (10%)[2]
Website	www.antamina.com

In 2014, unionized mine workers went on strike over pay and benefits.^[6][7]

History

At the time of its development, the mine was Peru's largest investment project at $2.3 billion. Part of the country's dependence on mining, it was expected to raise exports by $900 million.^[8]

In 2010, the mine underwent an expansion program that increased its processing capacity by 31%.^[3]

As of March 2023^[update], the mine is expected to shut down in 2028. A $2 billion investment to extend the lifespan to 2036 is underway pending approval of an environmental impact study.^[9]

Local relations

Many residents of land that is now the mine sold their property in the hopes that the mine would uplift the local economy, but there was little effect to jobs or infrastructure. Villagers living nearby complain that dust thrown up by the mine is toxic. Mine officials, along with President Ollanta Humala, denied that the mine was unsafe.^[10]

In November 2021, the rural Aquia community blockaded the mine's operations. Protestors alleged that the mine had not fully paid the community for the land, which the company disputed.^[11]

The company launched an initiative, FOGEL, with the stated aim of strengthening the capacities of local governments and communities.^[12]

See also

• Antamina Tailings Dam
• Zinc mining
• List of mines in Peru
• Copper mining

References

1. BHP. "Peru". BHP. Archived from the original on 15 March 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
2. Teck Resources. "Antamina". Teck. Archived from the original on 5 April 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
3. Antamina. "Nuestra historia". Antamina (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 7 March 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
4. "Antamina Copper Mine, Peru". Digiscend. 2 November 2014. Archived from the original on 14 December 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
5. "Antamina Copper-Zinc Mine".
6. Dube, Ryan (10 November 2014). "Peru's Antamina Says Workers Begin Strike at Copper Mine". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 9 September 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
7. Dube, Ryan (15 December 2014). "Peru Workers' Strike at Antamina Mine Has Ended". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 29 March 2018. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
8. Crabtree, John (2002). Peru. Oxfam Professional. p. 35. ISBN 978-0855984823.
9. Aquino, Marco (29 March 2023). "EXCLUSIVE-Peru's Antamina mine life extension cost hiked to $2 bln, CEO says". Reuters. Archived from the original on 6 May 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
10. Bajak, Frank (7 June 2014). "Peru mining boom leaves highlanders behind". The Associated Press. Archived from the original on 6 May 2023. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
11. Rochabrun, Marcelo; Aquino, Marco (2 November 2021). "Peru community to suspend Antamina protest that rattled markets". Reuters. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
12. Antamina. "Fortalecimiento de la gestión local". Antamina (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 7 May 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2023.

External links

• Official website
• Gurmendi, Alfredo C. (August 2006). "The Mineral Industry of Peru" (PDF). U.S. Geological Survey 2006 Minerals Yearbook: 15.4. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
• "Peru's Antamina to produce 450,000 tons of copper in 2013 -CEO". Reuters. 18 September 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.