Facility

Chuquicamata Copper Mine

Chuquicamata (Calama, Antofagasta Region, Chile; altitude ~2,870m; 100% Codelco) is the world's largest open-pit copper mine by excavated volume — a hole approximately 4.5km long, 3km wide, and 1km deep. In continuous operation since 1915, making it one of the oldest continuously operating copper mines in the world. Production has exceeded 400,000 tonnes/year copper historically; now declining as the open pit reaches its economic limits. Codelco completed a $6.7B transition project (Chuquicamata Underground) to extend mine life by mining an underground block cave below the open pit — first underground copper in 2019, ramping through the 2020s. The adjacent smelter at Chuquicamata converts concentrate to blister copper (anodes) for refining. The nearby town of Chuquicamata was built by Anaconda Copper Company (the original operator) and was literally relocated in 2007 when the open pit expanded. Source: Codelco Annual Report 2024.