Fluor Corporation says it has received full notice to proceed under its engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) contract with Sierra Gorda Sociedad Contractual Minera (SGSCM) for the Fourth Grinding Line Expansion Project in Chile.
Located approximately 60 km south of Calama in Chile’s Antofagasta Region, SGSCM operates a large-scale open-pit copper-molybdenum mine. The brownfield expansion will add a fourth process line, including a new primary crusher, a high-pressure grinding roll crusher, fine ore grinding, flotation and associated support facilities.
The project is designed to increase the concentrator’s ore-processing capacity from approximately 130,000 t/d to 165,000 t/d.
The Sierra Gorda joint venture partners, which includes KGHM Polska Miedź S.A and South32, approved execution of the fourth grinding line project earlier this year.
Following completion of the project, Sierra Gorda’s annual average payable production is expected to reach approximately 195,000 t of copper, 6,000 t of molybdenum, 58,000 oz of gold and 1.7 Moz of silver. This represents an approximate 30% increase in copper equivalent production relative to current levels.
“Fluor is proud to continue our long-standing relationship with SGSCM to support this important expansion of its copper operations in Chile,” Harish Jammula, President of Fluor’s Mining & Metals business, said. “Having supported the original development, we are pleased to bring our knowledge of the operation and global project delivery expertise to this next phase of growth. We look forward to safely delivering a reliable, capital-efficient solution for our client.”
Construction activities are expected to start in 2027.
Photo credit: KGHM Polska Miedź S.A
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