Codelco and Pucobre receive environmental approval for US$870 million mining project

The Antofagasta Environmental Evaluation Commission has unanimously approved the environmental impact study for the Tovaku mining project, a joint venture between Codelco and Pucobre. Located in the María Elena and Tocopilla communes, the project involves the open-pit exploitation of the Puntillas deposit.

The initiative represents an estimated investment of US$870 million, with US$650 million allocated to mining development and US$220 million to photovoltaic infrastructure. The project aims to produce approximately 46,000 tons of high-purity copper cathodes annually over an operational lifespan of 21 years.

Key infrastructure components include a 193 MW solar photovoltaic park with battery energy storage, a 27-kilometer 220 kV electrical transmission line, and a 72.5-kilometer seawater pumping system to supply the mining facilities. During the construction phase, which is expected to last three years, the project is projected to employ up to 984 workers, followed by approximately 700 employees during the operational stage.