Chile: Hatch and Codelco Collaborate

Hatch helps Codelco expand Chilean properties

The Mina Ministro Hales project is a 50,000-tonne-per-day greenfield copper mine

Codelco, the largest copper-producing company in the world, has engaged Hatch to provide a range of services for some of their largest and most significant projects.

Hatch is conducting a feasibility study for the Chuquicamata underground mine. The study is the largest of its kind ever undertaken by Codelco and will examine the feasibility of expanding the existing open-pit Chuquicamata mine in order to transition to underground mining at a production rate of 140,000 tonnes per day (tpd). Phase 1 includes engineering for project early works. Capital costs will exceed $500 million.

For Mina Ministro Hales, a 50,000-tpd greenfield mine that will produce copper in a conventional concentrator, Hatch will conduct the detailed engineering and provide procurement services. Hatch completed basic engineering for the mine in 2010.