SQM gathers 21% of mining concessions and trebles Codelco
As per data provided by Sernageomin in 2012 the Julio Ponce-lead company holds 2.8 million ha
SQM a non-metallic mining company controlled by the local businessman Julio Ponce Lerou, gathers 21% of mining concessions in Chile, as per preliminary 2012 information provided by the National Geology and Mining Service (Sernageomin).
The main fertilizers and lithium producer in the world has 2.87 million ha with permission granted to exploit mineral deposits in Chile thus by far leading the 10 top companies ranking in Chile.
Codelco has the second position in the list with 838,207 ha granted for mining which represents a slight improvement of more than 1% over the figures of the Sernageomin 2011 report.
Notwithstanding, the national copper producer only represents 6.1% of the total concessions.
The third position in the ranking is for the BHP controlled Minera Escondida with 362,108 ha, 2.6% of total.
At the bottom of the list there are SCM Virginia, ENAMI, Antofagasta Minerals; Compañía Minera del Pacífico, Corfo, Doña Inés de Collahuasi and SCM Copiapó.
In the exploration ranking, Luksic ousted CMP to a third position.
However, the scene changes when considering exploration mining concessions. In accordance with the Sernageomin survey, BHP is the leader in the exploration ranking.
Al 31 de diciembre del año pasado, la angloaustraliana contaba con 2,21 millones de hectáreas para explorar en Chile, equivalente al 12,3% del total.
Segunda en este apartado está Codelco, gracias a las 969.400 hectáreas concesionadas para la exploración, es decir, 5,4% de la superficie total concesionada.
Ambas compañías mantuvieron sus posiciones respecto a 2011, pero sí hubo variaciones más abajo.
The CAP Group subsidiary linked to the entrepreneur Roberto de Andraca – Compañía Minera del Pacífico (CMP) – that last year was in third position with 914,600 ha granted for exploration concessions was ousted by the Luksic family controlled Antofagasta Minerals ( AMSA).
AMSA adds up 736,800 ha granted in concession for mining exploitation which represents 4.1% of total.
At the same time, Teck Mining Explorations associated with the homonymous Canadian company – is in fourth position followed by CMP.
The ranking is completed by Minera Fuego, Minera Los Andes, Minera Meridian Ltd., SCM Virginia and Vale Explorations.
Source: La Segunda
