First copper production is planned for later this year, but could be delayed to January 2023 if covid-19 related inefficiencies continue in the fourth quarter, the company has said.
The mining giant is already studying a Phase 3 for the mine, which will double its capacity to 600,000 tonnes of copper a year. The potential extension will make the mine Chile’s second-largest copper operation, after Escondida. It will also situate Quebrada Blanca among the world’s top five copper mines.
Tougher environmental regulations in the world’s largest copper producing country were also addressed as Q2, Teck’s most important growth project, has been hit in recent months.
In April this year, the company faced eight charges filed by Chile’s environmental regulator SMA based on audits carried out in 2019, 2020 and 2021.
The company acknowledged shortly after the claimed transgressions to the terms outlined in…
