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Mantos Blancos

Plant in Antofagasta, Chile with commodities Copper, Silver
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Sections on this page
  1. Identification information
  2. Geographic coordinates
  3. Site location context
  4. Geographic areas
  5. Commodities
  6. Materials information
  7. Nearby scientific data
  8. Ore body information
  9. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  10. Mining district
  11. Mineral rights holdings
  12. Land status
  13. Ownership information
  14. Production statistics
  15. Reserves and resources
  16. Workings at the site
  17. Links to other databases
  18. Bibliographic references
  19. General comments
  20. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10230771
MRDS ID W001546
MAS/MILS ID 3370050006
Record type Site
Current site name Mantos Blancos
Alternate or previous names Santa Barbara Project, Big Pit
Related records 10068478

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Plant
Geographic coordinates: -70.07674, -23.43003 (WGS84)
Location accuracy 500(meters)

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Antofagasta(province)

Chile(country)

South America(continent)

Land(continent)

Geographic areas

Country State
Chile Antofagasta

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Copper Primary
Silver Secondary

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Atacamite Unknown
Azurite Unknown
Chrysocolla Unknown
Malachite Unknown

Nearby scientific data

Plant (1) -70.07674, -23.43003
ListMap

Economic information

Ore body information

  • Length 2450M
    Width 760M
    Area 186HA
    Field Value
    Type of Orebody #1 STOCKWORK
    Shape of Orebody #1 IRREGULAR
    Primary mode of Origin HYDROTHERMAL
    Primary Ore Control IGNEOUS
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. INTENSE
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 SERICITIC
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #2 INTERM ARGILLIC
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #3 PROPYLITIC
    Minimum Depth to Top 0
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 0
    Total Surface Area (HA) 186
    Date of Last Modification 800827

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Surface-Underground
Development status Plant
Commodity type Metallic
Deposit size Medium
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1912
Mining method Open Pit
Year of first production 1961
Plant type Leach
Plant subcategory Solvent Extraction-Electrowin
Milling method Leach-Solvent-Extract-Electrowin

Mining district

District name Mantos Blancos

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights State Lease
Type of mineral rights Minerals Only

Land status

Ownership category State

Ownership information

  • Type Operator
    Owner Empresa Minera De Mantos Blancos S. A.
    Home office Chile
    Year 1994
  • Type Unknown
    Owner Anglo American Corp. Of South Africa, Ltd.

Comments on the ownership information

  • EMPRESA MINERA DE MANTOS BLANCOS SA IS LISTED ON THE SANTIAGO STOCK EXCHANGE AS A 74.9% SUBSIDIARY OF MINORCO. MINORCO IS IN TURN A SUBSIDIARY OF ANGLO AMERICAN CORP. OF SOUTH AFRICA.

Production statistics

  • Year 1961
    Description Open Pit Mine Until 1974 Convert To 3577 Mt Ore Per Day
  • Year 1965
    Description Combination Open Pit/Underground Both 5120 Mt Ore Per Day
  • Year 1968
    Description Oxide Ore Until 1980 Underground Shifted 7400 Mt Ore Per Day
  • Year 1974
    Description To Sulfide Ore Development Plan Extends 8000 Mt Ore Per Day
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Sulfur Sulfur 8000mt
  • Year 1975
    Description Cu Oxide 2350000 Mt Leach Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 2350000mt
  • Year 1976
    Description 1.58% Cu Oxide 2434000 Mt Leach Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 2434000mt 2wt-pct
  • Year 1977
    Description 1.59% Cu Oxide 2398000 Mt Leach Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 2398000mt 2wt-pct
  • Year 1978
    Description 1.56% Cu Oxide 2530000 Mt Leach Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 2530000mt 2wt-pct
  • Year 1979
    Description 1.53% Cu Oxide 2641000 Mt Leach Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 2641000mt 2wt-pct
  • Year 1980
    Description 1.51% Cu Oxide 2824000 Mt Leach Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 2824000mt 2wt-pct
  • Year 1981
    Description 1.44% Cu, 24.7g Ag 945000 Mt Sulfide Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 1wt-pct
    Trace Ore Silver Silver 27g/mt
  • Year 1981
    Description 1.43% Cu Oxide 2898000 Mt Leach Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 2898000mt 1wt-pct
  • Year 1982
    Description 1.82% Cu, 29.0g Ag 1334000 Mt Sulfide Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 2wt-pct
    Trace Ore Silver Silver 29g/mt
  • Year 1982
    Description 1.47% Cu Oxide 3043000 Mt Leach Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 3403000mt 1wt-pct
  • Year 1983
    Description 1.81% Cu, 22.6g Ag 1436000 Mt Sulfide Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Ore Silver Silver 22g/mt
    Major Ore Copper Copper 2wt-pct
  • Year 1983
    Description 1.42% Cu Oxide 3197000 Mt Leach Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 3197000mt 1wt-pct
  • Year 1984
    Description 1.91% Cu, 22.6g Ag 1448000 Mt Sulfide Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Ore Silver Silver 23g/mt
    Major Ore Copper Copper 2wt-pct
  • Year 1984
    Description 1.36% Cu Oxide 3348000 Mt Leach Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 3348000mt 1wt-pct
  • Year 1985
    Description 1.78% Cu, 19.0g Ag 1987000 Mt Sulfide Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Ore Silver Silver 19g/mt
    Major Ore Copper Copper 2wt-pct
  • Year 1985
    Description 1.25% Cu Oxide 3466000 Mt Leach Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 3466000mt 1wt-pct
  • Year 1986
    Description 1.67% Cu, 19.0g Ag 3208000 Mt Sulfide Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Ore Silver Silver 19g/mt
    Major Ore Copper Copper 2wt-pct
  • Year 1986
    Description 1.18% Cu Oxide 3431000 Mt Leach Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 3431000mt 1wt-pct
  • Year 1987
    Description 1.74% Cu, 23.7g Ag 3216000 Mt Sulfide Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Ore Silver Silver 24g/mt
    Major Ore Copper Copper 2wt-pct
  • Year 1987
    Description 1.12% Cu Oxide 3436000 Mt Leach Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 3436000mt 1wt-pct
  • Year 1988
    Description 1.47% Cu, 19.0g Ag 3494000 Mt Sulfide Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Ore Silver Silver 19g/mt
    Major Ore Copper Copper 1wt-pct
  • Year 1988
    Description 0.99% Cu Oxide 3475000 Mt Leach Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 3475000mt 1wt-pct
  • Year 1988
    Description Until 1988. 11000 Mt Ore Per Day
  • Year 1989
    Description 1.37% Cu, 15.8g Ag 3404000 Mt Sulfide Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Ore Silver Silver 16g/mt
    Major Ore Copper Copper 1wt-pct
  • Year 1989
    Description 0.96% Cu Oxide 3655000 Mt Leach Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 1g/mt
  • Year 1990
    Description 0.93% Cu Oxide 3513000 Mt Leach Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 3513000mt 1wt-pct
  • Year 1990
    Description 1.38% Cu, 16.7g Ag 3396000 Mt Sulfide Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Ore Silver Silver 17g/mt
    Major Ore Copper Copper 1wt-pct
  • Year 1991
    Description 0.82% Cu Oxide 3668000 Mt Leach Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 3668000mt 1wt-pct
  • Year 1991
    Description 1.46% Cu, 19.7g Ag 3496000 Mt Sulfide Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Ore Silver Silver 20g/mt
    Major Ore Copper Copper 1wt-pct

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1987
    Indicated 30900000mt ore
    Demonstrated 30900000mt ore
    Total resources 30900000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.07 wt-pct Copper Major 1987
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1987
    Indicated 31800000mt ore
    Demonstrated 31800000mt ore
    Total resources 31800000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.83 wt-pct Copper Major 1987
    Silver Ag 20 g/mt Silver Minor 1987
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1988
    Indicated 30770000mt ore
    Demonstrated 30770000mt ore
    Total resources 30770000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.04 wt-pct Copper Major 1988
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1988
    Indicated 33778000mt ore
    Demonstrated 33778000mt ore
    Total resources 33778000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.79 wt-pct Copper Major 1988
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1993
    Demonstrated 107000000mt ore
    Total resources 107000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.25 wt-pct Copper Major 1993
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1994
    Demonstrated 45500000mt ore
    Total resources 45500000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 0.87 wt-pct Copper Major 1994
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1994
    Demonstrated 70700000mt ore
    Total resources 70700000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.19 wt-pct Copper Major 1994
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1994
    Demonstrated 116200000mt ore
    Total resources 116200000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.06 wt-pct Copper Major 1994

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • COMBINED DEMONSTRATED RESOURCE AND CAPACITY FOR SULFIDE AND OXIDE LEACH FACILITIES. COMPANY IS PROCEEDING WITH SANTA BARBARA PROJECT TO CREATE "BIG PIT". RESERVES AND PRODUCTION WILL INCREASE TO OFFSET DECLINING ORE GRADES BY 1996. OLD OXIDE PLANT IS BEING REPLACED WITH A SX-EW PLANT AND EVENTUALLY ALL PRODUCTION WILL BE CATHODE COPPER.
  • Q1C1R2=R1 TOTAL: INCLUDES SURFACE AND UNDERGROUND OXIDE ORE OXIDE ORE RESERVES CURRENTLY BEING MINED AT MANTOS BLANCOS Q2C3R1=R3 ROW1: UNDERGROUND SULFIDE ORE TO BE MINED IN 1981 MANTOS BLANCOS Q2C3R1=R3 ROW 1:UNDERGROUND SULFIDE ORE TO BE THE GRADE OF THIS ORE IS UNKNOWN

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Surface
    Area 186HA
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method ESTIMATE
    Mining Method OPEN PIT
    Primary Material Cover SAND, GRAVEL
    Secondary Material Cover M-HARD ROCKS
    Tertiary Material Cover HARD ROCKS
    Hardness of Ore M-HARD ROCKS
    Avg. Bench Height (meters) 40
    Max. Pit Slope (degrees) 45
    Capacity 7400
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Preprod. Stripping Vol. 0
    Unit Production Cost 4.24
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 300
    Operating Shifts per Day 2
    Year of Information 1980
  • Type of workings Surface
    Area 186HA
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 2
    Status of Mining Method ESTIMATE
    Mining Method OPEN PIT
    Primary Material Cover SAND, GRAVEL
    Secondary Material Cover M-HARD ROCKS
    Tertiary Material Cover HARD ROCKS
    Hardness of Ore M-HARD ROCKS
    Avg. Bench Height (meters) 40
    Max. Pit Slope (degrees) 45
    Capacity 8000
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 4.19
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 300
    Operating Shifts per Day 2
    Year of Information 1980
  • Type of workings Underground
    Length 20000M
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method ACTUAL
    Mining Method ROOM AND PILLAR 10-34
    Percent Recovery 95
    Hardness of Rock HARDROCK WITH LITTLE WATER
    Rock Characteristics MULTIPLE SYSTEMS OF WEAKNESS PLANES
    Length of Inclines (m) 100
    Slope of Inclines 2
    Number of Inclines 2
    Avg. Length of Adits (m) 1000
    Number of Adits 6
    1st Condition of Workings OPEN
    Capacity 600
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 15.57
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 300
    Operating Shifts per Day 2
    Year of Information 1980
  • Type of workings Underground
    Length 25000M
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 2
    Status of Mining Method ACTUAL
    Mining Method SUBLEVEL CAVING 10-75
    Percent Waste Rock 20
    Percent Recovery 95
    Hardness of Rock HARDROCK WITH LITTLE WATER
    Rock Characteristics MULTIPLE SYSTEMS OF WEAKNESS PLANES
    Rock Support Chars. SUPPORTING MAY BACK SLAB
    Mine Support Chars. POST, HEADBOARD, CAPS, ROOF BOLTS
    Length of Inclines (m) 100
    Slope of Inclines 2
    Number of Inclines 4
    Avg. Length of Adits (m) 1000
    1st Condition of Workings OPEN
    Capacity 3000
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Unit Production Cost 10.14
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 300
    Operating Shifts per Day 2
    Year of Information 1980

Comments on other economic factors

  • IN 1968 SURFACE MINE CAPACITY WAS INCREASED TO 7400MTPD, MILL CAPACITY TO 5600 MTPD. IN 1974 MILL CAPACITY WAS AGAIN INCREASED TO 6760MTPD BUT TO SURFACE MINE CAPACITY REMAINED AT 74000MTPD,.

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Deposit

    BROOK HUNT AND ASSOC., COPPER MINES COST STUDY (1988-1995),

  • Deposit

    VOL. 6, LATIN AMERICA, 1991 ED., P. 286.

  • Deposit

    METALLOGENIC MAP OF CHILE, 1990, P. 45, (NO. 44).

  • Reserve-Resource

    BALL, PERRY E., MAMTOS BLANCOS COPPER PROJECT, U.S. EMBASSY

  • Reserve-Resource

    TRIP REPORT, 6/1/88, 9PP.

  • Reserve-Resource

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, 10/22/93, P.5,6.

  • Reserve-Resource

    EMPRESA MINERA DE MANTOS BLANCOS S.A., 1993 ANNUAL REPORT,

  • Reserve-Resource

    P.13.

  • Deposit

    SUTULOV, A., EL COBRE CHILENO: CODELCO PUBS., SANTIAGO,

  • Deposit

    1974, 520PP.

  • Deposit

    NIGHTINGALE, W., MINING INTERNATIONAL YEARBOOK: THE

  • Deposit

    FINANCIAL TIMES, LONDON, P.218.

  • Deposit

    SUTULOV, A., CHILEAN COPPER, ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL,

  • Deposit

    7/66, VOL 167, NO 7, P.71,77.

  • Deposit

    E/MJ INTERNATIONAL DIRECTORY OF MINING AND MINERAL

  • Deposit

    PROCESSING OPERATIONS, 1977, P.280.

  • Deposit

    MINING ENGINEERING, THE MANTOS BLANCOS OPERATION- CHILE'S

  • Deposit

    NEW INTEGRATED COPPER PRODUCER, 1/62, P.40-45.

  • Deposit

    GOLDER ASSOCIATES,MANTOS BLANCOS DEPOSIT REPORT MARCH 1980

  • Deposit

    CAMPUSANO, GERMAN, EMPRESA MINERA DE MANTOS BLANCOS, 1975,

  • Deposit

    P.399-409.

  • Deposit

    EL MERCURIO JUNE 15 1977 COBRE CHILENO EMPRESA MINERA

  • Deposit

    DE MANTOS BLANCOS S.A.

  • Deposit

    MINING MAGAZINE, MANTOS BLANCOS ADDS SULPHIDE FLOTATION,

  • Deposit

    7/81, P.5.

  • Deposit

    MINING MAGAZINE, MANTOS BLANCOS, 12/81, P.458-469.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, EMPRESA MINERA DE MANTOS BLANCOS SA, 8/5/83,

  • Deposit

    P.105.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, 2/15/84, P.5, VOL 3, NO 4.

  • Deposit

    MINING ACTIVITY DIGEST, 3/21/86, P.9.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, MANTOS BLANCOS- A STUDY IN

  • Deposit

    PROCESS INGENUITY, 12/84, P.44-47.

  • Deposit

    VALENZUELA, ENRIQUE, CHILEAN COPPER, NORTHERN MINER MAGAZINE

  • Deposit

    8/87, P.31.

  • Deposit

    MINERALS FOR EXPORT, 7/88, P.9.

  • Deposit

    CHILE ECONOMIC REPORT, MAJOR MINING PROJECTS 1991-1993,

  • Deposit

    6/90, P.5.

  • Deposit

    CHILE ECONOMIC REPORT, 8/90, P.7.

  • Deposit

    INDUSTRIAL OUTLOOK REPORT, MINERALS FOR CHILE FOR 1988,

  • Deposit

    P.16,17.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, 5/26/92, P.8.

  • Deposit

    AMERICAN METAL MARKET, 12/4/92, P.2.

  • Deposit

    METAL BULLETIN, 12/7/92, P.7.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 12/11/92, P.417.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 2/26/93, P.147.

  • Deposit

    METALS WEEK, 5/16/94, P.6.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, 2/26/93, P.5.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 2/18/94, P.118.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 5/20/94, P.376.

  • Deposit

    METALS WEEK, 5/23/94, P.6.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, 6/1/94, P.2,3.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, 6/1/94, P.3.

General comments

Subject category Comment text
Deposit TRUCK HAULAGE, STRIP RATIO 3.1:1, PLANT IS LURGI ROTATING FU 75000 MTPY CAPACITY, 1973 OUTPUT 31168 MT. THIS DATA ARE FRO 702 PG. A-15. MINE 45 KM NE OF ANTOFAGASTA.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 30-JUN-95 Porter, Kenneth E. U.S. Bureau of Mines

Beyond USGS

Supplemental information added by qvyshift.com. Not part of the original USGS MRDS record.

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