Quebrada Blanca Phase 2
Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 is a low-cost, long-life copper project being built by Teck and the project partners in northern Chile.
Overview
The Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 (QB2) Project is one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper resources. When complete, QB2 will be a premier asset, with low operating costs, an initial mine life of 28 years, and significant potential for further growth. Construction of QB2 was sanctioned by the project partners in December 2018. First copper production is planned for the second half of 2021.
QB2 incorporates extensive environmental measures, including the first large-scale use of desalinated seawater for mining in the Tarapacá Region of Chile, in place of freshwater use. The QB2 project has also consulted extensively with local communities and will continue to work cooperatively with stakeholders throughout the life of the project.
Teck holds an indirect 60% interest in Compañía Minera Teck Quebrada Blanca SA ("QBSA") which owns QB2. Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. and Sumitomo Corporation together have a collective 30% indirect interest in QBSA. ENAMI, a Chilean state agency, has a 10% non-funding interest in QBSA.
QB2 Highlights
copper-equivalent annual production for the first 5 years
Long life, low-cost operation; top 20 global copper producer
initial mine life using only 25% of total reserves and resources
significant future expansion potential
Project Areas
The project is comprised of a mine area with a concentrator plant and tailings facility, utilities and port facilities.
Mine Area
The supergene orebody (near-surface deposit) was mined during the initial phase of Quebrada Blanca. QB2 will develop the deeper sulphide resource underlying the existing operation. As a result, QB2 is effectively pre-stripped, which greatly reduces project costs.
- Initial 28-year mine life will use only 25% of total reserves and resources
- Maximum pit depth of 720 meters
Concentrator
Processing of copper ore, including crushing, milling, bulk flotation, thickening and filtering will occur in a new concentrator plant with a production capacity of 140,000 tonnes-per-day.
Tailings Facility
Mine tailings will be transported from the concentrator plant to the tailings facility. The facility will be built to industry-leading standards for safety and security to ensure safe management and storage.
Utilities
Utilities constructed to service QB2 will include the concentrate and desalinated water transport systems, high-voltage power lines and access roads.
Port Facilities and Desalination Plant
QB2 will include the first large-scale use of desalinated seawater at a mining operation in the Tarapacá Region of Chile, in place of freshwater use. In addition, port facilities for loading mineral concentrate onto ships for transport to markets will be constructed.
Project Phases
Construction
Construction of all facilities and mining area.
Workforce: over 10,000 during peak construction
Duration: approximately 3 years
Operation
Mining operation and supporting facilities.
Workforce: approximate 2,000
Duration: 28 years with significant expansion and extension potential
Community Engagement
At Teck, we begin engaging with local communities on our projects well before construction begins. As such, we have been engaging and consulting with local communities in the QB2 project area since 2012. We are committed to continuing this ongoing engagement throughout the life of the project, and will also collaborate with communities to identify opportunities to support their objectives and create tangible benefits in the area where we operate.
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Teck is a diversified resource company committed to responsible mining and mineral development with business units focused on copper, zinc, steelmaking coal and energy.