Copper project between SQM and Star Resources would be operational in 2020
The copper site that is exploring this association of SQM has a similar potential to Antucoya
The leading copper project that brings together SQM in conjunction with the Australian company Estrella Resources, and prepares its new exploration campaigns which will begin in September. Thinking about this and in the future of this project that has produced good evidence, the managing director of the Australian firm, Jason Berton, and the general manager of Chile, Juan Pablo Vargas, talked with DF of this initiative.
– The end of you is to be explorers or traders?
-JB: Our initial goal is to reach production, and while it is a long road that may change in the future, our goal is to find something and develop it.
Many large mines expansions processes are paused, which means that the copper price floor will be maintained, because the unit costs remain high. This gives us the opportunity to enter the market, SQM’s hand could hold 49% of the project.
-But to operate, you would enter another status where large machinery and many employees will be required….
-JPV: That’s right. But if they get in between other larger companies, that would be seen. We will never shut to anything but the aim is to make the necessary studies to eventually produce.
-When you will pass to the next stage of your Altair Project?
-JB: According to the data we have, there are indications that say they could have porphyry near Antucoya (Altair surrounding this project AMSA), and it will do so with geophysics. Now, on the other hand, we have types of iron-copper-gold (IOCG). For these purposes, we start in September to probe our area called Colupo. In 2016 we would have the pre-feasibility study of Altair completely, where will be the project estimated investment.
– The project could be operational by 2020?
-JPV: Yes, anyway.
-Does the project would be similar in magnitude of production and investment to Antucoya?
-JB: The area of the porphyry could be an extension of Antucoya,both in the east, and in the west zones. Meanwhile, Colupo, Ivannia and Dania, would be at first a little smaller than Antucoya.
-Come with concern the supply of electricity and water? How would you solve this?
-JPV: There is a restriction of availability of electricity and we’ll see it at the time, but the fact that we are near the electrical infrastructure, will help us. As for water, Antucoya area and all projects in the area are looking at the possibility of using seawater. We could partner with a neighboring mine, as Pucobre which is located at the north, or Anglo American and AMSA are located at the south. We see perfectly synergies in this aspect with other firms.
Source: Diario Financiero
