BHP Disclosed Ambitious Plans to Boost Copper Output

The above investments are aimed at offsetting decline in pore grades and the anticipated closure of the Los Colorados plant.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): In order to increase copper production at its Chilean mines, BHP has laid out ambitious plans. The company wants to increase its output from current mines by 430,000 to 540,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) in addition to concentrating on new projects.

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The company's long-term output is anticipated to stabilize at about 1.4 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa), with a minor rise of 100,000 tonnes from present levels, according to Brandon Craig, president, Minerals Americas at BHP. The corporation will need to invest between $10 and $14 billion to accomplish its expansion objectives. Beginning in 2028, BHP intends to invest between $7.3 billion and $9.8 billion in new projects at the massive Escondida copper mine in Chile.

The aforementioned investments are intended to counteract the expected closure of the Los Colorados plant and the fall in ore grades. 

With the installation of a new concentrator, production will increase to between 220,000 and 260,000 tons annually starting in 2031–2032. A capital investment of $4.4 billion to $5.9 billion will be needed for this. With an estimated $2–2.6 billion investment, the proposed Laguna Seca expansion would increase production by 50,000–70,000 tpa starting in 2030–31. Furthermore, starting in 2030–32, the additional contribution from the planned leaching facilities will range from 35,000 to 55,000 tpa.

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