Through its subsidiary, Compañía Minera Doña Inés de Collahuasi, Anglo American has announced a 19% increase in 2012 resources and reserves to 9 billion metric tons (mt) at its 44%-owned Chilean Collahuasi copper mine, an increase of 1.4 billion mt over the previous year.
Total copper increased 23% to around 73 million mt, while ore reserves increased by 10% over 2011, up 292 million mt to 3.2 billion mt. This new estimate, according to company officials, reflects new drill results, geological updates, mining optimization and metal prices adjustments.
Collahuasi CEO Jorge Gomez voiced enthusiasm. “This uplift in our mineral resource base indicates the potential for further expansion and continued improvements we can capitalize on this world-class resource,” he said.
Located in Tarapacá, Chile, Compañía Minera Doña Inés de Collahuasi SCM produced 284,000 mt of fine copper in 2012 and is jointly owned by Xstrata with a Japanese consortium headed by Mitsui.
