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Escondida

Escondida is a large open-pit copper mine located in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile, approximately 170 km south-east of the port city of Antofagasta. It is the world's largest copper mine by production volume, accounting for about 5% of global copper output. The mine is operated by BHP, which holds a 57.5% ownership stake, with Rio Tinto holding 30% and Japan's JECO Corporation holding the remaining 12.5%. Escondida produces copper concentrate and copper cathode, with annual production typically exceeding one-million tonnes of copper. The operation includes two concentrator plants, a leaching facility and associated infrastructure, including a 170-km slurry pipeline that transports copper concentrate to port facilities at Coloso. The mine employs several thousand workers and contractors and is a major contributor to Chile's economy and export earnings. Escondida's ore reserves and resources support a mine life extending several decades into the future. The mine was discovered in 1981 and commenced production in 1990, and has since undergone multiple expansions to increase capacity and extend its operational life.

Escondida News


Image of Chile flag and periodic table symbol for copper
Escondida new concentrator project, Chile
22nd May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

The proposed project aims to replace the production capacity of the plant by installing new capacity to produce 220 000 t/y to 260 000 t/y of copper.  


Codelco's El Teniente mine
Copper output from Chile's Codelco down 10% in March
12th May 2026 By: Reuters

SANTIAGO – Copper production from Chilean State-run miner Codelco fell 9.98% year-on-year in March to 110 900 metric tons, data from copper commission Cochilco showed on Tuesday. Production at... 


Copper sheets produced in Chile
Copper king Chile faces acid supply crunch as China exports dry up
22nd April 2026 By: Reuters

China's exports of sulphuric acid to Chile dwindled to zero in March, Chinese customs data show, leaving the world's top copper producing nation facing a squeeze on supplies of the chemical used to... 


The Escondida mine
BHP expects its full-year copper output to be in the upper half of guidance
22nd April 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Diversified miner BHP expects its copper production for the full-year to June 30 to be in the upper half of the 1.9-million- to two-million-tonne guidance, with strong production at the Escondida... 


South African-born, naturalised Australian Brandon Craig has risen through the ranks and – for the last two years – been at the forefront of BHP's shift in direction.
BHP’s next leader faces same problems in deal-obsessed industry
19th March 2026 By: Bloomberg

BHP Group has picked the continuity candidate for its next boss: A life-long company man who has spent quarter of a century at the biggest miner, honing his skills in iron-ore and copper, its most... 


BHP submits $5bn Escondida concentrator project for approval in Chile
BHP submits $5bn Escondida concentrator project for approval in Chile
18th March 2026 By: Mariaan Webb

Mining major BHP has submitted a multibillion-dollar expansion project at its Escondida mine to Chile’s environmental authorities, as part of a long-term plan to sustain production at the world’s... 


CEO Mike Henry delivering BHP's half-year results.
Copper becomes BHP’s biggest earnings driver
17th February 2026 By: Mariaan Webb

Diversified major BHP has increased its group copper production guidance for the 2026 financial year to between 1.9-million and 2.0-million tonnes, as the world’s biggest copper producer positions... 


Access road to Chile's Escondida, Zaldivar mines remains blocked amid contractor strike
26th January 2026 By: Reuters

Striking contract workers employed by machinery contractor Finning resumed on Saturday a blockade of the access road to Chile's Escondida and Zaldivar copper mines, according to industry sources.... 


BHP lifted its 2026 production guidance for Escondida
BHP upgrades copper guidance on back of record half-year performance
20th January 2026 By: Mariaan Webb

Mining major BHP has lifted its 2026 copper production guidance after delivering record operating performances across its copper and iron-ore assets in the half year ended December 31, capitalising... 


Novagold appoints project director for Donlin Gold
14th January 2026 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Project developer Novagold Resources has bolstered its development team for the Donlin Gold project in Alaska with the appointment of veteran mining executive Frank Arcese as project director, as... 


JX unit sells stake in Peruvian mine to Glencore
17th December 2025 By: Reuters

Japan's JX Advanced Metals on Tuesday said its Pan Pacific Copper (PPC) unit sold its entire stake in the undeveloped Quechua copper project in Peru to Swiss trader and miner Glencore for an... 


BHP's Escondida operation in Chile
Chile raises mining investment forecast through 2034 to $105bn
11th December 2025 By: Reuters

Chile's mining investment is expected to reach $104.549-billion from this year through 2034, State-run agency Cochilco said on Thursday, up from last year's estimate of about $83-billion through... 


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pqt: 0.255s - ct: 0.409s - 211pq - 2rq
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