10:49 | Arequipa (Arequipa region), Sep. 24.
Cerro Verde copper mine in Arequipa will increase two-fold its current production capacity of 230,000 tons a year starting April next year, once its expansion project ends, the company’s Communications and Public Affairs Manager Pablo Alcazar estimated.
He said the expansion project records a 96% progress and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.
“We will have the expansion finished by the end of the year and then some components will come into operation. The comprehension phase will be conducted after the first quarter of 2016, so we believe production will double by April,” he was quoted as saying by Andina news agency.
The expansion includes various components such as the establishment of a waste water treatment plant that will benefit Arequipa in the environmental field.
“Considering the two units, this is going to be the largest concentrator system in the world,” he noted.
The expansion process has not caused any conflicts with the population as a result of the dialogue between the company and leaders from areas involved.
“The project has yielded S/.1.2 billion (about US$372 million) in taxes and royalties over the last 10 years, which is why the company and locals agree that the expansion should begin operations soon,” he continued.
(END) RGP/JJN/RMB/MVB
Published: 9/24/2015