The Chilean port of Antofagasta is planning to quadruple its existing 780,000 tonnes of copper concentrate exports. Current projection suggest that, by 2024, exports of this mineral will have reached 3.4mt (million tonnes), based on an average annual increase in production of 7% between 2013 and 2032.
This has prompted Antofagasta Port Company (EPA) to announce its intention to implement a 300m southern quay extension, whilst safeguarding the area around La Chimba for a possible fourth quay.
By 2017, copper concentrates from that part of Chile should have become the major export, amounting to 4mt per year. This is because the production of metallic copper (cathodes and anodes) will be reduced due to the depletion of existing copper mineral fields.
BC