The Antamina mine in the Andes Mountains of Peru is one of the largest copper/zinc mines in the world. It is an open pit mine which had an estimated life of mine at 15 years. It also produced molybdenum. The mine is jointly owned by Teck Resources, BHP, Glencore, and Mitsubishi Corporation[1] and independently operated by Compañía Minera Antamina S.A.[3] It produced 390,800 tons of copper concentrate in 2006, 461,000 tons[4] in 2013, 410,000 tons (15% of the country’s total production)[5] in 2024. The total capital expenditure of the mine by 2013 was US$2.3 billion. İt is located at an altitude of 4,300 meters above sea level.<[6]
In 2014, unionized mine workers went on strike over pay and benefits.<[7]<[8]
On April 22, 2025, a senior operations manager died in an accident in the mine.<[9]
History
At the time of its development, the mine was Peru's largest investment project at $2.3 billion. Part of the country's dependence on mining, it was expected to raise exports by $900 million.<[10]
In 2010, the mine underwent an expansion program that increased its processing capacity by 31%.<[2]
As of March 2023, the mine is expected to shut down in 2028. A $2 billion investment to extend the lifespan to 2036 is underway pending approval of an environmental impact study.<[11]
Local relations
Many residents of land that is now the mine sold their property in the hopes that the mine would uplift the local economy, but there was little effect to jobs or infrastructure. Villagers living nearby complain that dust thrown up by the mine is toxic. Other potential sources of pollution to the local community come in the form of toxic materials stored in mine tailings. Mine officials, along with President Ollanta Humala, denied that the mine was unsafe.<[12]
In November 2021, the rural Aquia community blockaded the mine's operations. Protestors alleged that the mine had not fully paid the community for the land, which the company disputed.<[13]
The company launched an initiative, FOGEL, with the stated aim of strengthening the capacities of local governments and communities.<[14]
See also
- Antamina Tailings Dam
- Zinc mining
- List of mines in Peru
- Copper mining
External links
References
- Teck Resources. Antamina Teck, retrieved 6 May 2023^
- Antamina. Nuestra historia Antamina, retrieved 6 May 2023^
- BHP. Peru BHP, retrieved 7 May 2023^
- Antamina Copper Mine, Peru Digiscend, 2 November 2014, retrieved 5 November 2014^
- John Davis. Antamina Copper Mine in Peru Shuts Down After Fatal Accident Involving Senior Staff METALS WIRE, 2025-04-24, retrieved 2025-06-18^
- Antamina Copper-Zinc Mine^
- Ryan Dube. Peru’s Antamina Says Workers Begin Strike at Copper Mine The Wall Street Journal, 10 November 2014, retrieved 6 May 2023^
- Ryan Dube. Peru Workers’ Strike at Antamina Mine Has Ended The Wall Street Journal, 15 December 2014, retrieved 6 May 2023^
- Jonathan Naveas. Accidente en mina Antamina deja un fallecido y un herido: gerente sénior de Operaciones entre las víctimas REDIMIN, 2025-04-22, retrieved 2025-04-23^
- John Crabtree. Peru Oxfam Professional, 2002^
- Marco Aquino. EXCLUSIVE-Peru's Antamina mine life extension cost hiked to $2 bln, CEO says Reuters, 29 March 2023, retrieved 6 May 2023^
- Frank Bajak. Peru mining boom leaves highlanders behind The Associated Press, 7 June 2014, retrieved 6 May 2023^
- Marcelo Rochabrun. Peru community to suspend Antamina protest that rattled markets Reuters, 2 November 2021, retrieved 6 May 2023^
- Antamina. Fortalecimiento de la gestión local Antamina, retrieved 7 May 2023^