South32 and KGHM report significant mining developments

South32 has announced a 61% increase in copper and molybdenum reserve estimates at the Sierra Gorda mine in Chile. This update follows the formal incorporation of the Catabela Northeast resources into the existing porphyry deposit. The integration allows for ore to be sent directly to the current flotation plant, avoiding the need for new greenfield infrastructure and reducing integrated all-in sustaining costs (AISC). The Sierra Gorda operation is a joint venture between KGHM Polska Miedź, which holds a 55% controlling stake, and South32, which holds 45%.

Separately, the Polish mining group KGHM has become the world’s largest silver producer according to MinerDeck rankings. In the first half of 2026, KGHM produced 711.6 tons of silver, surpassing competitors such as Fresnillo. The majority of this production is derived from the company’s domestic operations in the Legnica-Głogów Copper District, where silver is recovered from anode slime during the copper electrorefining process.