Photo by: Teck
Name of the Mine
Carmen de Andacollo mine.
Location
Coquimbo region, central Chile.
Mine Owner/s
Teck (90%) and State-owned Empresa Nacional de Minería (10%).
Brief Description
The openpit mine produces copper in concentrates from the hypogene portion of the orebody. The copper concentrates are trucked to the Port of Coquimbo and then transported by ship to customers in Asia, Europe and South America.
Copper cathode production from the supergene portion of the orebody is approaching completion.
Brief History
Teck acquired full ownership of the Carmen de Andacollo mine in 2009 and started large-scale mining operations shortly thereafter. Over the years, the mine has undergone several expansions to increase production capacity and optimise resource extraction.
The life-of-mine (LoM) for Carmen de Andacollo is expected to continue until 2036.
Primary Metals/Minerals
Copper and gold.
Secondary Metals/Minerals
None stated.
Geology/Mineralisation
The Carmen de Andacollo orebody is a porphyry copper deposit comprising disseminated and fracture-controlled copper mineralisation contained within a gently dipping sequence of andesitic to trachytic volcanic rocks and subvolcanic intrusions.
The mineralisation is spatially related to a feldspar porphyry intrusion and a series of deeply rooted fault structures. A primary copper/gold sulphide hypogene deposit containing principally disseminated and quartz vein-hosted chalcopyrite mineralisation lies beneath the supergene deposit.
Surface weathering processes have affected the hypogene deposits, resulting in the formation of a barren leached zone 10 m to 60 m thick. The original copper sulphides leached from this zone were redeposited below the barren leached zone as a copper-rich zone comprising copper silicates (chrysocolla) and supergene copper sulphides (chalcocite with lesser covellite).
Reserves
Proven and probable reserves were estimated at 246.5-million tonnes grading 0.31% copper as at December 31, 2023.
Resources
Measured mineral resources totalled 65.7-million tonnes grading 0.28% copper, indicated resources 325.8-million tonnes grading 0.26% copper and inferred resources 52.5-million tonnes grading 0.27% copper.
Type of Mine
Openpit.
Mining Method
Conventional openpit mining methods.
Major Infrastructure/Equipment
Access to the Carmen de Andacollo mine is by paved roads from La Serena.
Copper concentrate is produced by processing hypogene ore through semiautogenous grinding and a flotation plant with the capacity to process up to 55 000 t/d of ore, depending on ore hardness. Formerly, supergene ore was also mined, transported to heap-leach pads and processed in a solvent-extraction electrowinning plant to produce copper cathode; however, cathode operations stopped in 2023.
Prospects
The LoM for Carmen de Andacollo is expected to continue until 2036, although additional environmental permits will be required to extend mine life beyond 2031.
Contact Details
Teck
Tel + 1 604 699 4257
Email investors@teck.com
Sources
Teck. Website: https://www.teck.com/
Teck. Annual information form (February 22, 2024).