Wedoany.com Report-Oct. 11, Antofagasta, a Chilean mining company, has initiated the next phase of its copper growth strategy with the first blast at the Encuentro Sulphides pit at its Centinela mine, located in Chile’s northern Antofagasta region. This milestone, marking the start of initial stripping activities, supports the company’s $4.4 billion expansion project to enhance copper production.

The Encuentro pit will serve as the main ore source for Centinela’s second concentrator.

The Encuentro Sulphides pit will supply high-grade sulphide ore to a new second concentrator at Centinela, complementing ore from the existing Esperanza South pit. The project, approved in July 2025 with a $1 billion investment, aims to increase Antofagasta’s copper output by 30% in the medium term, leveraging Centinela’s 2.6 billion tonnes of ore reserves. The Encuentro deposit, part of 2024 reserves, contains approximately 738 million tonnes grading 0.45% copper, 0.17 g/t gold, and 0.015% molybdenum.

The Centinela mining complex, formed in 2014 by merging the Esperanza and El Tesoro mines, produces copper concentrates with gold and silver through milling and flotation processes. The second concentrator, set to begin operations in 2027, will add 95,000 tonnes per day of processing capacity using advanced technologies like high-pressure grinding rolls to improve efficiency.

“This expansion strengthens Centinela’s role as a cornerstone of our production strategy, enhancing output and sustainability,” said an Antofagasta spokesperson. The project is expected to employ over 13,000 workers at its peak, boosting local economies in the Antofagasta region and extending the mine’s operational life by 30 years.

The second concentrator will produce an average of 170,000 tonnes of copper-equivalent annually in its first decade, including 144,000 tonnes of copper, 130,000 ounces of gold, and 3,500 tonnes of molybdenum. Infrastructure upgrades include enhanced seawater pumping, new tailings storage, and improved energy and logistics systems, ensuring operational reliability.

The project incorporates autonomous mining equipment, building on the successful use of autonomous haul trucks at Esperanza Sur, with full autonomy targeted for January 2026. Approximately 186 million tonnes of material will be moved during the two-year pre-stripping phase, set to conclude by 2028.

Centinela is noted for its innovative practices, including large-scale thickened tailings technology and the use of 100% renewable electricity. It was the first in Chile to gain permits for depositing tailings in inactive pits, earning recognition from the Chilean Association of Consulting Engineers in 2022 and the Antofagasta Industrial Association in 2025.

The expansion aligns with rising global copper demand, driven by energy transition and data center growth, positioning Centinela to contribute significantly to both regional development and global markets.