First Quantum Minerals delays Taca Taca RIGI application in Argentina

First Quantum Minerals has adjusted its timeline for the Taca Taca copper project in Salta, Argentina. The Canadian mining company now expects to submit the project to the Regime of Incentives for Large Investments (RIGI) before the end of 2026, a delay from previous estimates that targeted the first half of the year.

The project involves an estimated total investment of US$5.25 billion, comprising US$4.23 billion for initial construction and approximately US$1.02 billion for a future expansion. Once operational, the mine is expected to produce around 291,000 tonnes of copper annually during its first decade, with a projected mine life of 35 years.

Key regulatory hurdles remain, including the final approval of the Environmental and Social Impact Statement, which is currently under evaluation by the Salta Mining Secretariat. A public hearing is scheduled for November 12 in Tolar Grande. While the company has obtained a water feasibility certificate for the first stage, the full scope of water concessions and control conditions has yet to be publicly detailed.