Los Bronces’ expansion is expected to more than double (on average over the first three years of full production) the mine’s existing production of 221,000 tonnes per year.
The company said this project is the second of its four major strategic growth projects to commence production during 2011.
Los Bronces is an open-cut copper and molybdenum mine located about 65km northeast of Santiago.
Anglo American chief executive Cynthia Carroll said at peak production levels, Los Bronces is expected to be the fifth largest copper mine in the world, with reserves and resources that support a mine life of over 30 years and with further expansion potential.
