The chairman of Chile’s copper giant Codelco, Maximo Pacheco, said that. The company wants to increase its yearly output by at least 17 percent by the end of this decade. Due to “extraordinarily strong Demand” need for the metal necessary for the shift to green energy. – Copper Output
The company, which is the biggest manufacturer of copper used in wiring, electronics, and many consumer commodities, has recently struggled with diminishing ore grades and other operational issues. That Pacheco is now attempting to address in the face of an upsurge in demand worldwide.
“We require to improve project management because we have a plates full of fundamental projects valuable billions of dollars, but not for a year or 2.” Pacheco said in a conversation on Wednesday around the Global Copper Conference in Santiago. That’s the biggest gathering of the copper industry since 2019.
“We anticipate that our investments will approach these levels, and possibly more, within a decade.”
The business aims to sustain output levels, which declined to 1.45 million tonnes in 2022 and are predicted to decline again in 2023. In order to offset a decline in ore grade with “structural projects” and prevent further output declines.
Pacheco expects that by overcoming operational challenges and enhancing the launch of new initiatives, Codelco can return in this decade.
Before the end of the decade, “we aim to achieve a level of 1.7 million tonnes,” Pacheco said. In 2021, Codelco’s output previously reached those heights.
Copper output
Pacheco stated that there is no interest in returning to the market for debt anytime soon. After a 900 million dollar effective bond placement at the start of the year to aid in financing projects.
“What we are aware of that we have an excellent liquidity position, and we have the cash reserves to calmly finance our operation,” added Pacheco.
Codelco, a minority shareholders in the Los Bronces Integrado mine of Anglo American Plc, said it anticipates future synergies and collaborations after Chilean authorities earlier this week approved the extension of the project.
“We have a joint & cooperative relation in logistics, transportation, and mine growth,” Pacheco said. But we have a great chance to improve, broaden, and reinforce that.
Desalinated water will be used by Los Bronces to make up for the catastrophic drought that has affected the nation for more than ten years and reduced copper output. However, Pacheco claimed that Andina had no intention of expanding using the same type of subterranean exploitation tunnels. As those planned at Los Bronces.
The revamped growth strategy for the underground El Teniente copper mines will also be ready by year’s end, according to Pacheco.
Pacheco predicted that the company will have “normalised” operation by July after a difficult 2022. That saw a dome fall in Chuquicamata and a crack at a pit wall at the Ministro Hales mine.
I’m hoping that we won’t experience another year like 2022 with so many events and negative operational news,” Pacheco said.