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Page 9 of 30 (705 total)
Rock Creek

Montana, United States · Underground

Under Development
SilverCopper
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2025Silver1.49 oz/t148291000 oz
2025Copper0.66 %656060
Overview
The Rock Creek project, located in Sanders County, Montana, is a silver and copper project held by Hecla Mining Company. As of early 2026, the company is not actively seeking permits to construct the mine. This follows a 2021 federal court decision that invalidated the project's approvals from the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The court ruled that the agencies had violated the Endangered Species Act by not fully considering the impacts of the entire proposed mine on grizzly bears and bull trout. Consequently, the Rock Creek project currently has no federal authorisation to proceed, and new environmental analyses would be required for any future permit applications. Hecla Mining Company's current focus in the region is on its Libby Exploration Project. The company acquired the Rock Creek project in June 2015 through the acquisition of Revett Mining Company. As of 31 December 2025, the project's inferred mineral resources were reported based on a minimum thickness of 15 feet and a Net Smelter Return cut-off value of $35.10 per ton. The estimated metallurgical recoveries are 88% for silver and 92% for copper. The resources are adjusted based on mining restrictions defined by the U.S. Forest Service in a June 2003 'Record of Decision'.
Production
The mine is not in production.
Companies & ownership
  • Hecla Mining Company
    NYSE:HL
Libby Exploration Project

Montana, United States · Underground

Under Development
SilverCopper
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2025Silver1.49 oz/t-
2025Copper0.66 %-
2024Silver1.6 oz/t-
2024Copper0.7 %-
Mine life
16 years
Workforce
30
Overview
The Libby Exploration Project, formerly known as Montanore, is a silver and copper deposit owned by Hecla Mining Company through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Montanore Minerals Corporation (MMC). The project is located approximately 20 miles south of Libby in Lincoln County, Montana. As of early 2026, the project is in an exploration and evaluation phase, with the environmental review and permitting process estimated to be completed by 10 June 2026. On 3 October 2025, the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) issued a final Environmental Assessment and a Decision Notice with a finding of no significant impact, authorising Hecla to proceed with its Plan of Operations. The plan involves underground exploration to gather data to inform project engineering, environmental requirements, and overall feasibility. As of 31 December 2024, the project had an Inferred Resource of 112.2 million tons. On 31 March 2026, a coalition of environmental organisations filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The lawsuit challenges the project's approvals, citing an inadequate environmental review process and potential impacts on the Cabinet Mountains Wilderness, water quality, and species protected under the Endangered Species Act, such as bull trout and grizzly bears.
Expansion
The authorised Plan of Operations includes dewatering and rehabilitating an existing 7,000-foot adit. The company then proposes to extend the tunnel by 4,200 feet and construct additional tunnels to facilitate exploration drilling and data collection.
Companies & ownership
  • Hecla Mining Company
    NYSE:HL
Kinskuch

British Columbia, Canada · Open Pit

Under Development
SilverGoldCopperZinc
Overview
The Kinskuch property is located in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia and is now part of Dolly Varden Silver's larger Kitsault Valley Project. The property is contiguous to the east and south of the existing Kitsault Valley Project. The acquisition of the Kinskuch property by Dolly Varden Silver has significantly increased the size of their Kitsault Valley Project to approximately 77,000 hectares. The addition of the Kinskuch property has tripled the total strike length of the favourable Jurassic-age Hazelton Group volcanic rocks. The Kinskuch property is considered underexplored, with limited modern exploration work. Dolly Varden Silver has indicated that initial plans for the property, following the acquisition in 2025, would include geological mapping and reconnaissance. There is potential for porphyry and skarn-style copper and gold mineralisation on the Kinskuch Project, which is on trend with the Big Bulk property.
Companies & ownership
  • Hecla Mining Company
    NYSE:HL
Greens Creek

Alaska, United States · Underground

Operating
SilverGoldZincLeadCopper
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2025Silver-8.7 Moz
2025Gold-59349 oz
2025Zinc-51.3 kt
2025Lead-18.2 kt
2024Silver-8.5 Moz
2024Gold-55275 oz
2024Zinc-51288 t
2024Lead-18424 t
2023Silver-9.7 Moz
2023Gold-60896 oz
2023Zinc-51500 t
2023Lead-19600 t
Opened
1989-01-01
End year
2043
Workforce
512 in 2024, 530 in 2025
Production
Production overview - 2025: silver 8.7 Moz, gold 59349 oz, zinc 51.3 kt, lead 18.2 kt; 2024: silver 8.5 Moz, gold 55275 oz, zinc 51288 t, lead 18424 t.
Processing
The mine uses a conventional flotation concentrator that produces a gravity gold concentrate, a silver concentrate, a zinc concentrate, and a precious metals concentrate. The primary mining methods are cut and fill and longhole stoping.
Expansion
The U.S. Forest Service has approved an expansion of the tailings disposal facility to accommodate the extended mine life. This involves increasing the storage capacity for tailings and waste rock. The first phase will add approximately 1.9 million cubic yards of capacity over three years, with a second phase planned to add a further 2.7 million cubic yards. Capital investment at Greens Creek is primarily directed towards mine development and the engineering and construction of this tailings facility expansion.
Companies & ownership
  • Hecla Mining Company
    NYSE:HL
Rock Creek

Montana, United States · Underground

Under Development
SilverCopper
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2025Silver1.49 oz/t148291000 oz
2025Copper0.66 %656060
Overview
The Rock Creek project is an underground silver and copper mine located in Sanders County, Montana, United States. It is owned and operated by Hecla Mining Company, which acquired the project in June 2015. Currently, Hecla is not actively pursuing permits for the construction of the Rock Creek mine and has withdrawn the Plan of Operations from consideration by the United States Forest Service. The company is instead focusing on the Libby Exploration Project at the nearby Montanore site. Legal and environmental challenges have played a significant role in the project's status, with court rulings revoking previous authorisations for the mine. A 2021 court ruling invalidated the U.S. Forest Service's approval for the mine's evaluation phase, citing violations of the Endangered Species Act. As a result, the Rock Creek mine currently has no federal authorisation to proceed.
Production
Production overview - 2025: silver 148291000 oz, copper 595167.5 t.
Companies & ownership
  • Hecla Mining Company
    NYSE:HL
Kinskuch

British Columbia, Canada · Underground

Under Development
SilverGoldCopper
Overview
The Kinskuch property is now part of Dolly Varden Silver's larger Kitsault Valley Project, located in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia. The acquisition increased the total size of the Kitsault Valley Project to approximately 77,000 hectares. The project is considered to be prospective for hosting precious metal deposits. Dolly Varden Silver has indicated plans for geological mapping and reconnaissance to generate drill targets.
Expansion
Dolly Varden Silver Corporation acquired 100% ownership of the Kinskuch property from Hecla Mining Company in May 2025.
Companies & ownership
  • Hecla Mining Company
    NYSE:HL
  • Dolly Varden Silver Corporation
Connaught

Yukon, Canada · Open Pit

Under Development
CopperMolybdenumGoldSilverLead
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2022Copper0.1 %-
2022Molybdenum114 ppm-
1966Gold2.1 g/t-
1966Silver2297 g/t-
1966Lead67.3 %-
Overview
The Connaught project is located in the Dawson area of the Yukon. It is situated at the head of the Sixty Mile placer camp near Dawson City and is road-accessible. It hosts 26 distinct silver-lead-gold-copper epithermal veins and four copper-molybdenum porphyry targets.
Expansion
Hecla Mining acquired the Connaught project as part of its acquisition of ATAC Resources, which also included the Rackla project. Hecla has stated that the acquisition of these large land packages in a favourable mining jurisdiction is part of its ongoing strategy. In a February 2026 announcement, Hecla reported it would be significantly increasing its overall exploration budget, with a focus on assets including those in the Yukon. Prior to the acquisition, in January 2023, ATAC Resources announced results from an exploration program that included 8 RC holes totalling 2,164.08 metres, which confirmed the presence of multiple porphyry targets.
Companies & ownership
  • Hecla Mining Company
    NYSE:HL
Cosmos Project

Western Australia, Australia · Underground

Care And Maintenance
NickelCopperCobalt
Capex (est.)
USD 180.00M
Workforce
179 people (contractor Barminco)
Overview
The Cosmos Project, wholly owned by IGO Limited, is located 30 kilometres north of Leinster in Western Australia. Following a review that showed a reduced expected mine life, delays, and increased costs, coupled with a significant deterioration in commodity prices, IGO made the decision to transition the project into care and maintenance. This transition was completed in June 2024. The company intends to maintain the project's assets to preserve the option for a restart if market conditions improve. The primary focus of development before the suspension was the Odysseus underground mine. As of 30 June 2025, all previously reported JORC Code reportable Ore Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates for the Cosmos Project have been declassified.
Production
The first saleable nickel sulphide concentrates were produced during the 2024 fiscal year. Nearly 295,000 tonnes of ore from the Odysseus mine were processed between 6 November 2023 and 22 May 2024, after which processing ceased.
Processing
The on-site concentrator was upgraded to a throughput capacity of 1.1 Mtpa, with commissioning commencing in October 2023. Wet commissioning of the plant was being finalised as part of the transition to care and maintenance.
Equipment
processing plant, concentrator. The processing circuit includes primary, secondary, and tertiary crushing and screening, a primary mill, refurbished secondary and regrind mills, flotation circuits, and concentrate and tailings thickeners.
Expansion
IGO is assessing exploration programs to potentially increase the mineral resource, particularly the AM5 and AM6 orebodies. The company is also exploring options to rationalise the Cosmos assets and infrastructure, noting the region is prospective for gold and other minerals. Exploration activities in FY25 and FY26 include drill testing for surface lithium and underground nickel targets, as well as a review of gold opportunities.
Companies & ownership
  • IGO Limited
    ASX:IGO
Nova Operation

Western Australia, Australia · Underground

Operating
NickelCopperCobalt
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2025Nickel-16371 t
2025Copper-7324 t
2025Cobalt-581 t
2024Nickel-20806 t
2024Copper-9922 t
2024Cobalt-735 t
2023Nickel1.85 %26675 t
2023Copper0.75 %11483 t
2023Cobalt0.07 %982 t
Opened
2017-01-01
End year
2026
Mine life
10 years
Workforce
Approximately 400 people are employed on site, including IGO employees and contractors.
Production
Production overview - 2025: nickel 16371 t, copper 7324 t, cobalt 581 t; 2024: nickel 20806 t, copper 9922 t, cobalt 735 t.
Processing
The processing plant uses differential flotation to produce separate copper and nickel concentrates.
Equipment
In July 2023, the mine commissioned a Sandvik DL422iE battery-electric longhole drill, the first of its kind to be used in Australia. Following a fire in December 2022 that damaged the power station, 14.9MW of new generation capacity was installed to resume operations. The site also has a solar farm that was expanded in FY24, allowing the operation to run on solar power for up to nine hours during spring and summer months.
Expansion
In October 2024, IGO Limited extended its underground mining contract with Barminco for 29 months, valued at $157 million. IGO is progressing with closure planning to ensure a smooth transition from operations to closure at the end of the mine's life.
Power sources
Solar
Companies & ownership
  • IGO Limited
    ASX:IGO
Lake Mackay Project

Northern Territory, Australia · Open Pit

Under Development
CopperZincSilverGoldLeadCobalt
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2023Copper0.42 %-
2023Zinc0.57 %-
2023Silver3.7 g/t-
2023Gold0.26 g/t-
2022Copper0.23 %-
2022Zinc0.35 %-
2022Silver1.2 g/t-
2022Gold0.18 g/t-
2021Copper2.13 %-
2021Gold1.5 g/t-
2021Silver9 g/t-
2020Gold0.7 g/t-
2020Silver11 g/t-
2020Copper0.34 %-
2020Lead0.2 %-
2020Zinc0.6 %-
2020Cobalt0.2 %-
2019Gold3.5 g/t-
2019Copper2.45 %-
2017Gold7.9 g/t-
2017Silver20.7 g/t-
2017Copper0.8 %-
2017Lead0.5 %-
2017Zinc1.1 %-
2017Cobalt0.1 %-
Workforce
During the 2018 exploration program, the workforce was comprised of a core group of IGO employees and specialised contract staff, depending on the activity. IGO provided a site manager/geologist and a senior field assistant to log and sample material.
Overview
The Lake Mackay Project is an exploration project and is not operational. The project's tenements straddle the state border between the Northern Territory and Western Australia, primarily located in the Northern Territory, north and northeast of the community of Kintore. The project is situated approximately 400km west-northwest of Alice Springs. It is a series of joint ventures (JVs) between IGO Limited, Prodigy Gold NL (ASX: PRX), and in some parts, Castile Resources Pty Ltd. The project is prospective for copper, gold, nickel, cobalt, silver, zinc, and lead.
Production
No production outputs as it is an exploration project.
Processing
No processing plant exists as the project is in the exploration phase. Bench-scale atmospheric leach extraction test work has been conducted on cobalt-nickel-manganese duricrust from the Grimlock Prospect, which indicated high metallurgical recoveries.
Equipment
aircore, reverse circulation (RC), and diamond drilling rigs. Specific contractors mentioned include Wallis Drilling Pty Ltd for aircore drilling, and Frontline Drilling Australia Pty Ltd for RC drilling with a KWL 700 or Schramm 685 truck-mounted rig. West Core Drilling Pty Ltd has also been contracted. IGO has a dedicated ground Electromagnetics (EM) crew, with other ground geophysics conducted by contractors. Spectrem Air has conducted airborne EM surveys. XM Logistics has been utilised for providing additional exploration equipment and personnel.
Companies & ownership
  • IGO Limited
    ASX:IGO
  • Prodigy Gold NL
    ASX:PRX
  • Castile Resources Pty Ltd
Nova Operation

Western Australia, Australia · Underground

Operating
NickelCopperCobalt
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2025Nickel-16371 t
2025Copper-7324 t
2025Cobalt-581 t
2024Nickel-20806 t
2024Copper-9922 t
2024Cobalt-735 t
2022Nickel1.85 %26675 t
2022Copper0.75 %11483 t
2022Cobalt0.07 %982 t
Opened
2017-01-01
End year
2026
Production
Production overview - 2025: nickel 16371 t, copper 7324 t, cobalt 581 t; 2024: nickel 20806 t, copper 9922 t, cobalt 735 t.
Processing
The operation has a processing facility that produces saleable concentrates of nickel, copper, and cobalt. The site is powered by a hybrid power station, which includes a 19MW diesel station and a 5.5MW solar farm, with plans for further renewable integration to allow for periods of diesel-off operation.
Equipment
Barminco serves as the underground mining contractor, with a contract extended in October 2024 for 29 months.
Expansion
The Nova Operation consists of two orebodies, Nova and Bollinger, which are now recognised as a single continuous deposit known as Nova-Bollinger. As the mine approaches its end of life, mining has become more complex due to operations being on the periphery of the deposit.
Power sources
DieselSolar
Companies & ownership
  • IGO Limited
    ASX:IGO
Spence

Antofagasta Region, Chile · Open Pit

Operating
Copper
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2025Copper-268000 t
2023Copper-240000 t
Opened
2006-01-01
End year
2067
Mine life
50 years
Autonomous haulage
Yes
Production
Production overview - 2025: copper 268000 t; 2023: copper 240000 t.
Processing
The Spence mine processes both oxide and sulphide ores. The processing facilities include leaching, solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX-EW) for oxide ores to produce copper cathodes. For sulphide ores, a concentrator plant is used to produce copper and molybdenum concentrates. The concentrator has a nominal ore throughput capacity of 95,000 tonnes per day.
Equipment
The mine operates with a fully autonomous fleet, which includes 33 haul trucks and five drilling rigs.
Expansion
The Spence Growth Option (SGO) project was a significant expansion that included the construction of the concentrator plant, which began production in the 2021 financial year. This project has extended the mine's life by over 50 years. A new desalination plant located at Mejillones Bay and a 154 km water pipeline were also built to supply water to the mine. In March 2024, the mine's haulage operations became fully autonomous.
Water sources
Desalination
Companies & ownership
  • BHP Group
    ASX:BHP
Escondida

Antofagasta Region, Chile · Open Pit

Operating
Copper
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2023Copper0.82 %1055 kt
2022Copper0.78 %1000 kt
2007Copper-1.483 Mt
Opened
1990-01-01
Mine life
65 years
Capex (est.)
USD 4.40B
Autonomous haulage
Yes
Workforce
As of 2023, the total number of workers on site was 10,567, consisting of 3,621 employees and 6,946 contractors.
Overview
The Escondida mine is the world's largest copper mine, located in the Atacama Desert, 170 kilometres south-east of Antofagasta. The operation consists of two open-pit mines: Escondida and Escondida Norte. It is a copper porphyry deposit. The main orebody is hidden by hundreds of metres of overburden, which is how it derived its name, meaning 'hidden' in Spanish. The mine has been in production since 1990.
Production
Production overview - 2023: copper 1055 kt; 2022: copper 1000 kt.
Processing
The mine operates three concentrator plants: Los Colorados, Laguna Seca 1, and Laguna Seca 2. It also has two leaching operations for oxide and sulphide ores. The sulphide ore is processed through flotation to produce copper concentrate, while oxide and low-grade sulphide ore are treated via leaching and solvent extraction-electrowinning (SX-EW) to produce copper cathodes.
Equipment
The mining fleet includes electric rope shovels and a large fleet of haul trucks. A full fleet replacement of 160-188 haul trucks is underway, transitioning to new Caterpillar 798 AC diesel-electric models that will enable autonomous operations. The Escondida Norte pit operates with 33 autonomous trucks and 11 autonomous drills. The operation also utilises in-pit crushers and an extensive conveyor system.
Expansion
In March 2026, BHP submitted a proposal for the "Escondida New Concentrator" project to the Chilean Environmental Assessment System. This project involves an investment of between US$4.4 billion and US$5.9 billion to replace the Los Colorados processing plant, which is nearing the end of its operational life. The new concentrator is designed to produce between 220,000 and 260,000 tonnes of copper per year and will allow Escondida to maintain its overall processing capacity of 460,000 tonnes of ore per day. Construction is planned to begin in February 2027, with first production anticipated between 2031 and 2032. The construction phase is expected to create an average of 2,500 jobs, with a peak of up to 6,000 workers.
Water sources
Desalination
Companies & ownership
  • BHP Group
    ASX:BHP
  • Rio Tinto
    ASX:RIO
  • JECO Corp
  • Mitsubishi Corporation
  • JX Nippon Mining & Metals
  • Mitsubishi Materials Corporation
Olympic Dam

South Australia, Australia · Underground

Operating
CopperGoldUranium
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2025Copper-316 kt
2025Gold-361 koz
2025Uranium-3.2 kt
2024Copper-322 kt
2024Gold-370 koz
2024Uranium-3.6 kt
Opened
1988-01-01
Workforce
BHP has approximately 8,000 employees working across its Copper SA projects, which includes Olympic Dam.
Overview
Olympic Dam is one of the world's most significant polymetallic orebodies, comprising an underground mine and a fully integrated processing facility. It is located 560 kilometres north of Adelaide. The operation is a part of BHP's Minerals Australia operation and has been owned and operated by BHP since 2005.
Production
Production overview - 2025: copper 316 kt, gold 361 koz, uranium 3.2 kt; 2024: copper 322 kt, gold 370 koz, uranium 3.6 kt.
Processing
The operation features a fully integrated metallurgical complex. This includes a grinding and concentrating circuit, a hydrometallurgical plant with solvent extraction for copper and uranium, a copper smelter, a copper refinery, and a recovery circuit for precious metals.
Equipment
Ore is hauled underground via an automated train system to crushing, storage, and hoisting facilities.
Expansion
BHP is advancing a series of growth projects at Olympic Dam. A new decline to the Southern Mine Area is progressing, with completion expected in FY2028, which is anticipated to unlock up to 2.5 million tonnes per annum of additional vertical capacity. The company is also studying a potential Smelter and Refinery Expansion (SRE). A potential Final Investment Decision is on track for the 2027 calendar year. The first phase would increase concentrate smelting capacity to between 1,100 and 1,400 ktpa.
Companies & ownership
  • BHP Group
    ASX:BHP
Resolution Copper

Arizona, United States · Underground

Under Development
CopperMolybdenum
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2024Copper1.5 %-
2018Copper1.54 %-
2018Molybdenum0.035 %-
Mine life
40 years
Capex (est.)
USD 2.50B
Workforce
current workforce of approximately 300 to 350 employees and contractors; expected to directly employ around 1,500 people once fully operational
Overview
Resolution Copper is a large, undeveloped copper project in the advanced permitting and development stage, targeting initial production in the early to mid-2030s. The copper deposit is located between 5,000 and 7,000 feet below the surface.
Processing
The mine will use an underground panel caving technique. Ore will be crushed underground and transported to a processing plant. The resulting copper concentrate will be pumped as a slurry to a filter and loadout facility, with tailings sent to a separate disposal facility.
Expansion
A federal land exchange was completed in March 2026, allowing the project to advance. Over US$2 billion has been invested to date, with an additional preliminary spending of approximately $500 million announced for enabling works, including drilling, infrastructure upgrades, and initial underground development.
Companies & ownership
  • Rio Tinto
    ASX:RIO
  • BHP Group
    ASX:BHP
Antamina

Ancash, Peru · Open Pit

Operating
CopperZincMolybdenumSilver
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2024Copper-429000 t
2024Zinc-273000 t
2024Molybdenum-8000 t
2024Silver-1300000 oz
2023Copper1.03 %-
2023Zinc0.91 %-
2023Molybdenum0.03 %-
2023Silver11 g/t-
2022Copper-454800 t
2022Zinc-433000 t
Opened
2001-01-01
End year
2036
Capex (est.)
USD 2.00B
Workforce
As of early 2026, Antamina has approximately 6,000 workers, with around 3,000 being direct employees of the company.
Overview
The Antamina mine, an open-pit operation in Ancash, Peru, is jointly owned by BHP (33.75%), Glencore (33.75%), Teck Resources (22.5%), and Mitsubishi Corporation (10%). It opened in 2001 and its mine life has been extended to 2036 with a US$2 billion investment.
Production
Production overview - 2024: copper 429000 t, zinc 273000 t, molybdenum 8000 t, silver 1300000 oz.
Processing
The mine utilizes a truck-and-shovel operation. Ore is crushed and then processed through grinding and flotation to produce copper, zinc, molybdenum, and lead/bismuth concentrates. Copper and zinc concentrates are transported via a 302-kilometre pipeline to the port of Huarmey for shipment. Molybdenum and lead/bismuth concentrates are transported by truck.
Equipment
The mining fleet includes P&H 4100XPC electric shovels, Hitachi EX5600-6 hydraulic shovels, and Cat 994F wheel loaders. The haul truck fleet includes a recent acquisition of 20 Komatsu 980E-5SE trucks, each with a 400-tonne capacity.
Expansion
A US$2 billion investment is underway to extend the mine's life to 2036. The approval for the Modification of the Environmental Impact Assessment for this life extension was granted in February 2024. Construction related to the expansion is expected to begin in 2025.
Companies & ownership
  • BHP Group
    ASX:BHP
  • Glencore
  • Teck Resources
  • Mitsubishi Corporation
Cerro Colorado

Tarapacá Region, Chile · Open Pit

Care And Maintenance
Copper
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2024Copper-11000 kt
2023Copper-35000 t
2018Copper-66279 t
2008Copper-106400 t
2000Copper-117000 t
Opened
1994-01-01
Overview
Cerro Colorado is an open-pit copper mine located in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile, approximately 90 kilometres east of the port city of Iquique. It is part of BHP's Pampa Norte operation. Commercial production at the mine began in mid-1994. The mine transitioned to a temporary closure and entered a state of care and maintenance in December 2023, due to the expiration of its environmental licence at the end of that year. Prior to its suspension, the mine produced high-purity copper cathodes.
Production
Production overview - 2024: copper 11000 kt; 2023: copper 35000 t.
Processing
The mine processes ore from the oxidised and enriched portion of a porphyry copper deposit. The processing facilities include a crushing system with primary, secondary, and tertiary crushers, leaching pads, and solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX-EW) plants to produce copper cathodes.
Expansion
BHP is assessing the potential to restart operations at Cerro Colorado towards the end of the decade, with a possible reopening around 2028 or 2030. The company is exploring a life extension project for the mine, which could extend its operational life by at least 20 more years. This involves assessing the application of new leaching technologies to potentially restart operations. A US$60 million project has been submitted for environmental review, focusing on drilling and prospecting to gather geotechnical and hydrogeological information to inform future development. If approved, this work would commence in July 2026 and last for 31 months. A potential restart could see average annual production between 85,000-100,000 tonnes, with a possibility of boosting output to 145,000 tonnes per year with optimisation of the existing concentrator. A larger project, with investments estimated between US$2.3 billion and US$3.2 billion, would be required for long-term operations beyond 2031, which would include a new concentrator. Any future continuation of production would use seawater instead of freshwater.
Companies & ownership
  • BHP Group
    ASX:BHP
Spence

Antofagasta Region, Chile · Open Pit

Operating
Copper
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2023Copper-249000 t
Opened
2006-01-01
Mine life
50 years
Autonomous haulage
Yes
Workforce
approximately 4,000 people
Overview
Spence is an operational division of BHP Group's Minerals Americas business, located in the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. It produces copper concentrate and high-quality copper cathodes, with gold, silver and molybdenum as by-products. The mine processes both oxide and sulphide ores.
Production
Production overview - 2023: copper 249000 t.
Processing
leaching, solvent extraction, and electrowinning for oxide ores, and a concentrator for sulphide ores.
Equipment
autonomous fleet of trucks and drilling rigs
Expansion
The Spence Growth Option (SGO) project, which included the construction of a concentrator, began production in 2020 and has extended the mine life by over 50 years.
Companies & ownership
  • BHP Group
    ASX:BHP
Olympic Dam

South Australia, Australia · Underground

Operating
UraniumCopperGoldSilver
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2024Uranium590 g/t3603 t
2023Copper1.85 %212000 t
2023Gold0.67 g/t186000 oz
2023Uranium590 g/t3406 t
2023Silver4 g/t-
Opened
1988-01-01
End year
2081
Workforce
Approximately 8000 employees work across BHP's Copper SA projects, with about 2500 of those working underground at Olympic Dam and 1000 in surface processing.
Production
Production overview - 2024: uranium 3603 t; 2023: copper 212000 t, gold 186000 oz, uranium 3406 t.
Processing
The Olympic Dam operations include a fully integrated underground mine and an above-ground metallurgical complex. Ore mined underground is transported by an automated train system to crushing, storage, and hoisting facilities. The metallurgical complex features a grinding and concentrating circuit, a hydrometallurgical plant with solvent extraction for copper and uranium, a copper smelter, a copper refinery, and a recovery circuit for precious metals.
Expansion
BHP is investing over A$840 million in several projects to enhance productivity at Olympic Dam. This investment includes developing an underground access tunnel into the Southern Mine Area, a new backfill system to access new sections of the mine, expanding the ore pass capacity, and installing a new oxygen plant to improve smelter performance. The company is also assessing options for a new two-stage smelter, with a final investment decision anticipated between the 2026 and 2027 financial years. There are plans to potentially increase annual copper production at Copper South Australia to over 500,000 tonnes per annum.
Companies & ownership
  • BHP Group
    ASX:BHP
Minera Escondida

Antofagasta Region, Chile · Open Pit

Operating
Copper
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2023Copper0.82 %1055000 t
2022Copper0.78 %-
Opened
1990-01-01
Mine life
40 years
Capex (est.)
USD 4.40B
Workforce
As of a report published in 2023, there were a total of 10,567 workers on site, comprising 3,621 employees and 6,946 contractors. As of February 2024, Minera Escondida employed approximately 3,935 direct workers.
Overview
Escondida has two open pits: Escondida and Escondida Norte.
Production
Production overview - 2023: copper 1055000 t.
Processing
The operation has three concentrator plants (Los Colorados, Laguna Seca Line 1 and Laguna Seca Line 2) with a combined approved capacity of 460,000 tonnes per day. It also has two leaching operations, one for oxide ore and one for sulphide ore, which produce copper cathodes via solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX-EW). The copper concentrate is transported as a slurry through a pipeline to the port of Coloso for dewatering and shipping.
Equipment
In August 2022, BHP announced an agreement with Caterpillar and Finning to replace the entire haul truck fleet of over 160 trucks over the subsequent ten years. The new fleet will consist of Caterpillar 798 AC electric drive trucks.
Expansion
BHP has submitted a proposal for a new concentrator to replace the Los Colorados plant, which is nearing the end of its operational life. The project, with a capital expenditure estimated between $4.4 billion and $5.9 billion, aims to maintain processing capacity at 460,000 tonnes per day. If approved, construction could begin in early 2027, with first production targeted for between 2031 and 2032. Other planned investments include an expansion at the Laguna Seca concentrator and the implementation of new leaching technologies.
Companies & ownership
  • BHP Group
    ASX:BHP
  • Rio Tinto
    ASX:RIO
  • JECO Corp
Cerro Colorado Mine

Tarapacá Region, Chile · Open Pit

Care And Maintenance
Copper
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2024Copper-11000 t
2023Copper-49000 t
2019Copper-71700 t
2018Copper-63000 t
2017Copper-65000 t
2016Copper-77000 t
2015Copper-78000 t
2008Copper-106400 t
Capex (est.)
USD 1.30B
Workforce
1,038 direct employees and 1,320 contractors (2018).
Production
Production overview - 2024: copper 11000 t; 2023: copper 49000 t.
Processing
The mine's facilities include primary, secondary, and tertiary crushers, leaching pads, and solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX-EW) plants to produce copper cathodes.
Expansion
Cerro Colorado entered a period of temporary care and maintenance in December 2023. BHP is actively evaluating a restart of operations, potentially by 2028, with a final investment decision anticipated in 2028. The company has submitted a US$60 million plan for studies, including drilling, to define access to sulfide resources. The broader restart project is estimated to involve investments between US$1.3 billion and US$3.2 billion. The goal is to achieve average annual production of 85,000-100,000 tonnes of copper, with a potential peak of 145,000 tonnes per year. The restart plans involve the use of seawater and the application of novel leaching technologies, such as supergene leaching, to process the mine's substantial underlying resource base. The mine has an Inferred Resource of 1,700 Mt at a grade of 0.36% copper.
Water sources
Desalination
Companies & ownership
  • BHP Group
    ASX:BHP
Spence Mine

Antofagasta Region, Chile · Open Pit

Operating
CopperMolybdenum
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2025Copper-268000 t
2024Copper0.88 %255000 t
2023Copper-240000 t
2020Molybdenum-4000 t
2009Copper-172685 t
2008Copper-142700 t
2007Copper1.24 %-
Opened
2006-01-01
End year
2039
Mine life
50 years
Capex (est.)
USD 5.46B
Autonomous haulage
Yes
Workforce
around 4,000 people
Overview
Spence production increased 5% to a record 268 kt in fiscal year 2025. For fiscal year 2024, production was a record 255 kt, driven by improved concentrator throughput and increases in both concentrator feed grade and recoveries. The concentrator feed grade for FY2024 was 0.88%. In fiscal year 2023, the mine produced 240,000 t of copper.
Production
Production overview - 2025: copper 268000 t; 2024: copper 255000 t.
Processing
The mine processes ore via both leaching and concentrator flow sheets. Oxide and lower-grade sulphide ores are sent to leach pads and an SX-EW plant for cathode production, while sulphide ore goes to a concentrator to produce copper and molybdenum concentrates. The concentrator has a nominal ore throughput capacity of 95 ktpd. A project is underway to enable the mine to operate with 'Full SaL' technology, which involves processing ore with new salt concentrations. The company is also looking at extending cathode production life through SaL2 technology.
Equipment
The mine operates with a fully autonomous fleet of haul trucks and autonomous drills.
Expansion
The Spence Growth Option (SGO) project, Spence Operational Adequacy project, Full SaL technology, SaL2 technology.
Companies & ownership
  • BHP Group
    ASX:BHP
Escondida

Atacama Desert, Chile · Open Pit

Operating
Copper
Companies & ownership
  • BHP Group
    ASX:BHP
Olympic Dam

South Australia, Australia · Underground

Operating
CopperGold
Commodities, grades and output
YearCommodityAv. GradeOutput
2023Copper-212000 t
2023Gold-186000 oz
Opened
1988-01-01
Overview
Olympic Dam is a fully integrated metallurgical complex operating as an underground mine in South Australia. It processes copper, uranium, gold, and silver, and includes a grinding and concentrating circuit, hydrometallurgical plant, copper smelter, and refinery. Recent developments include the integration of Prominent Hill and Carrapateena concentrates, leading to record production in FY2024, and ongoing investments in underground infrastructure and smelter performance.
Production
Production overview - 2023: copper 212000 t, gold 186000 oz.
Processing
The mine operates as a fully integrated metallurgical complex. The process includes an underground automated train system to haul ore, a grinding and concentrating circuit, and a hydrometallurgical plant with solvent extraction for copper and uranium. It also features a copper smelter, a copper refinery, and a recovery circuit for precious metals.
Equipment
The underground mine is equipped with an automated train system for hauling ore. As part of recent investments, the underground electric rail network is being expanded from 4.85 kilometres to over 6 kilometres, supported by six new locomotives.
Expansion
BHP is investing over A$840 million in several projects to enhance productivity. Key projects include: A new underground access tunnel, known as a decline, into the Southern Mine Area; a new backfill system; an expansion of ore pass capacity; and the installation of a new oxygen plant. A major expansion of the smelter and refinery is also under consideration, with a final investment decision for the first phase anticipated in the first half of the 2027 fiscal year (shifted from 2027 to 2028).
Companies & ownership
  • BHP Group
    ASX:BHP
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