Development of the First Japanese Owned & Operated Large Oversea Copper Mine “Caserones”

Abstract

Caserones is the first world class copper mine owned and operated 100% by Japanese companies. It is an open pit mine located in the Andes, 160 km southeast of the city of Copiapó, Chile. The equity is shared by 2 Japanese companies, Pan Pacific Copper CO., LTD and Mitsui & CO., LTD. In May 2006, Pan Pacific Copper acquired the concession which includes Caserones as a supergene oxide and sulphide copper prospect. In pre-feasibility study stage, a significant hypogene sulfide ore was identified beneath it. The construction began in March 2010, and the SX-EW plant started operation in March 2013. In July 2014, at the beginning of copper concentrates production, the official opening ceremony was held in Santiago of Chile, with the attendance of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Chilean Mining Minister Aurora Williams. Caserones is estimated to embrace 1 billion tons of hypogene ore containing 0.34% of copper and 126ppm of molybdenum, besides 300 million tons of supergene ore with 0.25% of copper. The production is planned to last 28 years. Caserones will contribute to the stability of copper supply to Japan, as well to raising Japanese mining experts.