Antamina
- Ownership: 33.75 per cent
- Products: Copper and zinc concentrates
- Location: The Andes, North Central Peru
Antamina is located in the Andes, North Central Peru; this is in the Western Cordillera range of the Andes at an altitude of 4,300 meters, approximately 270 kilometers north of Lima. Antamina is owned by Compañía Minera Antamina S.A., in which we hold a 33.75% interest. The remaining interests are held by Xstrata (33.75 per cent), Teck (22.5 per cent) and Mitsubishi (10 per cent). Antamina is the operator of the mine.
Geology
The Antamina deposit is a large copper skarn with zinc, silver, lead, molybdenum and bismuth mineralisation. It has a southwest to northeast strike length of more than 2,500 meters and a width of up to 1,000 meters. The deposit sits at the bottom of a U-shaped glacial valley surrounded by limestone ridges.
Operations
The ore is mined by open pit methods, and batch treated by ore type through a conventional grinding and flotation mill with a nominal design capacity of 88,000 tonnes a day. A 302 kilometers pipeline transports the copper and zinc concentrates to the port of Huarmey (300 kilometers north of Lima).
Ore reserves
Total reserves at Antamina are: 745 million tonnes, based on a recent reserves study (2008).
Markets
Antamina has long-term contracts with 16 smelting companies around the world.
Employment
Antamina employs 1,859 people directly and 2,384 indirectly (Up to October 31, 2008)
Community Relations
Since inception, Antamina has developed various long-term sustainable development programs in its neighbouring communities as part of a wider regional development program.
Objectives of the community development programs:
- Improve standard of living by increasing quality of educational and health services.
- Improve production and productivity levels in farming, the primary activity of local inhabitants.
- Promote micro business, including markets for local products and the necessary infrastructure to gain efficient access to them.
- Support cultural activities that celebrate local heritage.
In addition to these Community Development programs, Antamina also contributes to the development of the Ancash region through the Antamina Mining Fund. This is a voluntary contribution in agreement with the Peruvian Government which, in its two years of work, has invested 124 million dollars in different programs of health and nutrition, education, productive development and institutional strengthening.
Finally, Antamina promotes and finances the Ancash Association, an independent organisation that is responsible for promoting tourism and the preservation of the environment in Ancash.
History
The Antamina project achieved mechanical completion in May 2001 - more than four months ahead of the original schedule. The project began commercial production on October 1, 2001 ahead of schedule and under budget.
