PROCESSING

Bechtel to expand Teck's Quebrada Blanca mine

Bechtel has received approval from Teck to proceed with the expansion of the Quebrada Blanca mine

Quebrada Blanca is an open pit operation, which leaches the ore to produce copper cathodes via processing in an SX-EW plant

Quebrada Blanca is an open pit operation, which leaches the ore to produce copper cathodes via processing in an SX-EW plant

This contract comprises a 143,000t/d copper concentrator, a high-capacity desalination plant and a 165km water supply pipeline.

The Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 project (QB2) is located in the northern Chilean Andes, 4,300m above sea level and approximately 145km from the Pacific Ocean. Bechtel will be responsible for the engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM). First production is targeted for the second half of 2021 and QB2 is expected to generate 316,000t/y of copper-equivalent production for the first five full years of mine life.

Paige Wilson, president of Bechtel's mining & metals global business unit, said: "We are very proud to be working with Teck to develop the Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 project. Working together with Teck we have developed a capital efficient design and, in the field, we will be applying innovative productivity methodologies to deliver the lowest possible construction costs in Chile. The project offers a great opportunity for Bechtel and Teck to deliver industry best results building the largest copper project in Latin America."

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Magazine Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Magazine Intelligence team.

editions

ESG Mining Company Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The ESG Mining Company Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2024 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of exploration trends and technologies, highlighting the best intercepts and discoveries and the latest initial resource estimates.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Digitalisation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations that use digitalisation technology to drive improvements across all areas of mining production