Chile: Codelco completes Andina Transfer and extends the life of one of the world's largest copper deposits

With the structural project complete, Andina Division will achieve a processing rate of approximately 88,000 tonnes per day.

At 3,500 meters above sea level, in the heart of the Aconcagua Valley, Codelco's Andina Division achieved its most significant milestone: it received the Transfer System from the Projects Vice Presidency (VP) after completing the commissioning of Line 2 and starting its ramp-up.

This was the final stage of a key project in the state-owned company's investment portfolio, which will extend the life of one of the world's largest copper deposits by at least 30 years and involved construction efforts for twelve years.

"The Andina Transfer Project is now a reality; from now on, this operation will no longer depend on the VP and will be managed by the divisional teams," commented Máximo Pacheco, chairman of the board of the state-owned company, who visited Codelco's work center, accompanied by CEO Rubén Alvarado, and Projects Vice President Julio Cuevas. They were welcomed by Andina's general manager, Lindor Quiroga, and Vice President of Operations, Mauricio Barraza.

Andina Transfer was born in 2012 as an initiative to transform the division from an underground mine to an open-pit one, with the challenge of maintaining operational continuity during the construction of new infrastructure. Twelve years later, and after an investment of US$1.671 billion, the project ensures a processing rate of material close to 88,000 tons per day.

CEO Rubén Alvarado highlighted the successful teamwork between the corporate Projects team and the division's Operations area. "What should characterize our work to project ourselves into the future is innovation and the ability to adapt. The example set by Andina is encouraging and inspiring," he added.

Andina Transfer involved the construction of a 44-hectare platform where a gigantic dome with a primary crusher, a civic neighborhood, and a maintenance workshop were installed; an avalanche protection system; over 11 kilometers of tunnels, 4.9 kilometers of conveyor belts, and a modern secondary crushing plant. All of this aimed to extend the operational life of the pit, releasing 1.2 billion tons of ore with an average copper grade of 0.73%.

During the site visit, Line 2 of the Transfer System was shown, and it was explained that the secondary crusher, after successfully completing performance tests, was handed over to operations on April 2. The plant exceeded its design capacity for this stage, processing 1,915 tons of ore per hour.

More investments for Andina

"With Line 2, we have completed all the work associated with Traspaso Andina, which significantly enables the possibility of meeting the production processes of the division," said Julio Cuevas, Vice President of Projects.

Although not losing sight of the significance of this milestone, Cuevas details that Andina has an ambitious portfolio of medium-term development projects aimed at boosting its copper production.

Among them, he highlights the construction of an access ramp to ensure connectivity between the Hilton camp and the 3,500-meter node during winter, to ensure operational continuity by avoiding road closures. This involves developing a three-kilometer-long tunnel with its respective ventilation systems, which will enable the transit of machinery and the transportation of personnel. It is estimated to be completed by the end of 2024.

Meanwhile, by mid-2025, two additional projects would be completed: the works, adjustments, and the new plant for the treatment of contact waters from the North Ballast Deposit (DLN), and the replacement of infrastructure at the 3,700-meter level of Andina, where the civic district will be located, a maintenance workshop with eight bays for extraction trucks (CAEX), and a communications room.