Centinela Second Concentrator: Advancing Strategic Growth with Strong Operational Discipline
The Centinela Second Concentrator Project is one of the largest mining investments announced in Chile in the last five years and represents a major milestone in the growth of Centinela – a key element of our profitable growth strategy.
Following construction approval in December 2023, the project has continued to advance in line with scheduled milestones, with teams now focused on integrating the critical systems and the infrastructure needed to support safe and efficient pre-commissioning, commissioning and ramp-up activities.
Recent progress has been made across the following mining, processing, and tailing areas:
- Mine and Primary Crushing: Work continued to advance at Esperanza Sur, with the mining fleet now operational and major progress made on the primary crusher, overland conveyor and coarse stockpile infrastructure.
- Concentrator Plant: Construction has progressed across a number of key areas of the concentrator plant, including the HPGR and ball mill installation, and their associated material handling systems.
- Thickened Tailings Deposit: The Starter wall was completed, marking an important milestone for the project’s tailings infrastructure.
Several significant steps have also been made in respect of infrastructure for the project’s energy supply, water sourcing and port expansion. In these areas, key commissioning milestones have included the energisation of the project’s substation, first seawater delivery through the expanded water transport and pumping infrastructure, and continued progress across port and marine works.
These recent milestones show how the Centinela Second Concentrator Project is being successfully developed, with a strong focus on coordination, operational readiness and long-term performance, as critical systems are integrated.
Preparing the Centinela Second Concentrator Project for its next phase
As construction advances and project activities become increasingly interconnected, maintaining safe and efficient execution remains a key priority. During the last quarter, major energy and infrastructure workstreams progressed, reflecting the continued focus on careful planning, coordination, and risk management.
To help maintain a safety-first culture, visible leadership walks and systematic verifications have continued across the project, helping teams monitor conditions closely and maintain alignment across multiple work areas with major focus on the lock out tag out system to assure safe energisation of the equipment.
Finally, targeted training was also expanded for higher-risk areas, including specialised safety and rescue workshops for operators in areas such as the operation of cranes and around stockpile structures, strengthening the project’s preparedness in rigging and lifting operations.
The Centinela Second Concentrator Project is fundamental to the future growth of Centinela and Antofagasta’s wider portfolio. As the project moves closer to commissioning, the priority is now on ensuring that the project’s major systems, infrastructure and teams are prepared to operate together effectively from day one.
Once operational, the expansion will double Centinela’s mineral processing capacity and position it among the world’s largest copper-producing operations.
The successful development of the Centinela Second Concentrator Project reflects Antofagasta’s purpose of developing mining for a better future, through the disciplined delivery of production growth while also strengthening our ability to create long-term value for all the Group’s shareholders.
