Llano and Esperanza Sur Project

Project data

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Location

Sierra Gorda District

Region

Chile

Client

Minera Centinela

Commodities

Copper

Contract

Full-service mining

Duration

2015 - ongoing

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Overview

The operation owned by Minera Centinela, is a copper-focused mining joint venture between Antofagasta Minerals and Marubeni Corporation.

"We are pleased to collaborate with Centinela to develop a mine of the future, focused on sustainable innovation, optimized production, and career development for the skilled mining professionals who make up the local workforce."

Located at an altitude of 2,300 meters above sea level in the Antofagasta Region, the Llano and Esperanza Sur Project is 145km north east of the Antofagasta township, 65km south west of Calama and 33km east of Sierra Gorda.

Minera Centinela was established in 2014 to capture the synergies between the El Tesoro and Esperanza operations, taking advantage of favourable geographic, technical, and logistical conditions to enable integrated planning and operations.

Thiess commenced work at site in 2015, when the operation consisted of a single pit known as the Encuentro Oxides Project. The initial scope included the execution of 57 million bank cubic metres (Mbcm) of pre-strip, completed in 2019.

Following the approval of the Nueva Centinela (DMC) project in 2023, Thiess has continued to play a key role in supporting the delivery of the client’s long-term strategy including mining operations, maintenance and asset services. Current operations include work at the Llano Project, which represents an extension of the original scope, as well as mining activities in the Esperanza Sur pits.

A mutual focus on developing future-fit mines, guided by ethical, inclusive and sustainable practices, has enabled Thiess and Mineria Centinela to build a trusted partnership that will add lasting value to the Antofagasta region for years to come.