The QB2 project is one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper resources. QB2 is expected to have low operating costs, an initial mine life of 28 years and significant potential for further growth.
On March 29, 2019, we closed a transaction where SMM/SC subscribed for a 30% indirect interest in QBSA, which owns the QB2 copper development. SMM/SC contributed $1.3 billion (US$966 million) to QBSA on closing of the transaction and a further $444 million (US$336 million) over the remainder of 2019, including $38 million for interest on the loan advances during 2019.
In the fourth quarter of 2019, we closed the US$2.5 billion limited recourse project financing to fund the development of QB2. With funding from the project financing and the partnering transaction with SMM/SC, our first contributions to the project are not expected until early 2021