translated from Spanish: The mining projects that will boost the economy in 2019

mining adjusts their binoculars toward a large portfolio of projects in the North of the country. This thanks to the Chilean copper Commission (Cochilco) maintained projections of US $3.05 copper price the pound to 2019, and $3.08 lb 2020. These figures are far from boom periods, although the environment is more conducive for investment after five years of a cycle downward which had forced companies to reduce their production costs and challenged the Government to a fall of tax revenue. However, the director of studies and public policies of Cochilco, Jorge Cantallopts underlines that the main challenges of the mining industry in Chile for this year are to maintain stable production processes in a way such can overcome the 5.7 million of tons of annual copper production; increasing investment; control costs and increase productivity. In regulatory matters, also Executive President of the mining Council, Joaquín Villarino, points out that the year will be characterized by the high number of relevant reforms which will be discussed at the Congress and which are of importance for the mining sector. For example, tax reform, glaciers, energy efficiency, and the early modernization of the labour market. In particular as regards projects, is Quebrada Blanca phase II initiative, 240 km from Iquique and has an investment estimated at $4,700 million, whose property in its highest percentage belongs to Teck. Note that this project of exploitation of copper extracted material hypogene, that is the mineral that is deeper than the one currently obtained in the operation of Quebrada Blanca, which – according to Teck Resources Chile – will allow you to produce copper concentrate and further extend the life of the mine for 25 years. In the Region of Antofagasta, in both, Chuquicamata underground (US $ 4.962 billion) and whose implementation is scheduled for July this year, will transform the centuries-old mine open pit the world’s largest in a deal that seeks to extend the Division Chuquicamata at least in 40 more years of life. The structural project located in the Antofagasta Region (20 km from Calama) contemplates the exploitation of mineral resources under the current open pit mine, so it “has estimated reserves of 1. 760Mt of copper, equivalent to 60% of the total extracted in 100 years of” operations at the mine”, requires the BNamericas website. Meanwhile, the Radomiro Tomic sulfide phase II project, according to Codelco, aims to extract and process sulphide mineral reserves, estimated approximately 2,800 million tonnes with an average grade of 0.51% copper. For his part, BHP aims to extend the life of Spence across the project Growth Option in 50 years. Initiative that considers the commissioning 2021 of a conventional sulfur concentrator plant located on a large scale for copper and molybdenum, 162 km northeast of Antofagasta.Ya in the Region of Atacama, the project with a total investment of US $2,460 million Mantles copper Development Division, whose investment amounts to US $832 million, it will aim the exploitation of new reserves of sulphide ore from a greater depth of the current pit of Mantoverde operation, in order to be processed and producing copper concentrate. Now, this year, Candelaria 2030 of Lundin Mining project has planned its launch. Likewise, its main objective is the extend the life of the mine and optimize production.

Original source in Spanish