Copper
Spanish language information: Para obtener información en español sobre Sierra Gorda, consulte su sitio web: www.sgscm.cl
Located in the Antofagasta region of northern Chile, Sierra Gorda is a long-life, open pit copper mine.
Sierra Gorda
South32 office:
Cowork Nueva las Condes
Cerro El Plomo 5420
Local S 01-02 SB1
Las Condes
7560742
Key statistics
Our operation
Sierra Gorda is a large, conventional, open pit copper mine located in the Antofagasta region of northern Chile. Situated at a relatively low altitude of 1,700m above sea level, the mine commenced construction in 2011, ahead of commissioning in 2014.
South32 acquired a 45 per cent interest in Sierra Gorda in February 2022. We have joint operating control, alongside our 55 per cent joint venture partner, KGHM Polska Miedz, a global miner listed in Poland.
Sierra Gorda has a copper-molybdenum-gold sulphide mineral reserve of more than 1 billion tonnes, and a mine life of more than 20 years¹. It benefits from high quality, modern processing equipment, with significant historical capital investment.
The operation is serviced by established infrastructure, including renewable power and a seawater pipeline, with freight rail and a national highway connecting it to the ports of Antofagasta and Angamos.
The copper concentrate produced at the operation is transported by truck and rail to the port of Antofagasta and Angamos, for international export to end markets.
Sierra Gorda has existing opportunities to unlock further upside through improved production efficiency, resource expansion and exploration.
Partnering with our communities
The Sierra Gorda team engages with neighbouring communities and invests in accordance with four focus areas identified in its strategic plan for communities:
- Health and security
- Education
- Culture
- Quality of life
¹ Refer to market release “South32 to acquire a 45% interest in the Sierra Gorda copper mine” dated 14 October 2021. The estimates indicated in the original announcement are qualifying foreign estimate and are not reported in accordance with the JORC Code. A Competent Person has not done sufficient work to classify foreign estimates as Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves in accordance with the JORC Code. It is uncertain that following evaluation and/or further work that the foreign estimates will be reported as Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves in accordance with the JORC Code.