Location | |
---|---|
Coquimbo Region | |
Country | Chile |
Coordinates | 31°43′00″S 70°29′26″W / 31.716691°S 70.490446°W |
Production | |
Products | Copper |
History | |
Opened | 1990 |
Los Pelambres mine is a copper mine located in the north-central of Chile in Coquimbo Region. It is one of the largest copper reserves in the world, having estimated reserves of 4.9 billion tonnes of ore grading 0.65% copper.[1]
The deposit was first recognized by Willian Burford Braden in 1920. Production in 2012 was forecast at 390 tons of copper and 28,000 ounces of gold.[2] The mine is served by Los Pelambres Airport, and by a water desalination facility at Los Vilos. A billion-dollar expansion project is underway.[3]