CommoditiesMedium•9 November 2026•
1 min read
Codelco and Pucobre Secure Environmental Approval for $870M Chile Copper Project
Key Facts
1Chilean partners Codelco and Pucobre have cleared a key environmental hurdle for an $870 million copper mine project.
2Construction is slated to begin in 2027, featuring solar power and a seawater supply system.
Chilean partners Codelco and Pucobre have cleared a key environmental hurdle for an $870 million copper mine project. mining.com reported that Chile’s Environmental Assessment Service granted the project an Environmental Qualification Resolution (RCA), allowing the partners to move toward construction slated to begin in the second half of 2027.
The Tovaku open-pit operation in the Antofagasta region will feature sustainable infrastructure, including a 193-megawatt photovoltaic solar park and a 72.5-km seawater pumping system. The project is expected to produce 46,000 tonnes of copper cathodes annually over a 21-year mine life, as Codelco explores greater private-sector participation to fund its investment pipeline.