1. Mineral Resources
  2. Online Spatial Data
  3. Mineral Resource Data System (MRDS)

Escondida

Plant in Antofagasta, Chile with commodities Copper, Gold, Molybdenum, 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. Nearby scientific data
  7. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  8. Ownership information
  9. Production statistics
  10. Reserves and resources
  11. Workings at the site
  12. Links to other databases
  13. Bibliographic references
  14. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10158080
MRDS ID TC06155
MAS/MILS ID 3370050013
Record type Site
Current site name Escondida
Related records 10059516

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Ore Body
Geographic coordinates: -69.07031, -24.25581 (WGS84)
Location accuracy 1000(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
Gold Secondary
Molybdenum Secondary
Silver Secondary

Nearby scientific data

Ore Body (1) -69.07031, -24.25581
ListMap

Economic information

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Surface
Development status Plant
Commodity type Metallic
Deposit size Small
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1981
Mining method Open Pit
Year of first production 1991
Plant type Beneficiation (Mill)
Plant subcategory Flotation
Milling method Flotation

Ownership information

  • Type Operator
    Owner Minera Escondida Ltda.
    Home office Chile
    Year 1994
  • Type Owner
    Owner Broken Hill Proprietary Co. Ltd.
    Interest 57.5
    Home office Australia
    Year 1994
  • Type Owner
    Owner Rtz Corp. Plc
    Interest 30
    Home office United Kingdom
    Year 1994
  • Type Owner
    Owner Japan Escondida Corp. (Mitsubishi Corp.)
    Interest 10
    Home office Japan
    Year 1994
  • Type Owner
    Owner International Finance Corp. (World Bank)
    Interest 2.5
    Year 1994

Comments on the ownership information

  • MITSUBISHI IS HEADING UP THE CONSORTIUM OF JAPANESE COPPER SMELTING COMPANIES THAT TOGETHER OWN 10% OF THE OPERATION.

Production statistics

  • Year 1991
    Description Silver Contained In Conc. 2229000 Tr Oz
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Silver Silver 69329659.14g
  • Year 1991
    Description Gold Contained In Conc. 46000 Tr Oz
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Gold Gold 1430760.12g
  • Year 1991
    Description Copper Contained In Conc. 296200 Mt
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Copper Copper 296200mt
  • Year 1991
    Description Concentrate 701500 Mt
  • Year 1991
    Description Mill Feed 12170000 Mt
  • Year 1992
    Description Silver Contained In Conc. 2511000 Tr Oz
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Silver Silver 78100840.79g
  • Year 1992
    Description Gold Contained In Conc. 65300 Tr Oz
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Gold Gold 2031057.3g
  • Year 1992
    Description Copper Contained In Conc. 336600 Mt
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Copper Copper 336600mt
  • Year 1992
    Description Concentrate 762800 Mt
  • Year 1992
    Description Mill Feed 14070000 Mt
  • Year 1993
    Description Copper Contained In Conc. 388800 Mt
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Copper Copper 388800mt
  • Year 1993
    Description Concentrate 886500 Mt
  • Year 1993
    Description Mill Feed 15260000 Mt
  • Year 1993
    Description Gold Contained In Conc. 73400 Tr Oz
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Gold Gold 2282995.5g
  • Year 1993
    Description Silver Contained In Conc. 2564000 Tr Oz
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Silver Silver 79749325.28g

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1989
    Indicated 662000000mt ore
    Demonstrated 662000000mt ore
    Total resources 662000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 2.12 wt-pct Copper Major 1989
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1989
    Inferred 1800000000mt ore
    Total resources 1800000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.59 wt-pct Copper Major 1989
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1995
    Demonstrated 2107000000mt ore
    Total resources 2107000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.3 wt-pct Copper Major 1995
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1991
    Indicated 647000000mt ore
    Demonstrated 647000000mt ore
    Total resources 647000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 2.12 wt-pct Copper Major 1991
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1991
    Inferred 107000000mt ore
    Total resources 107000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.13 wt-pct Copper Major 1991
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1993
    Indicated 633000000mt ore
    Demonstrated 633000000mt ore
    Total resources 633000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 2.11 wt-pct Copper Major 1993
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1994
    Demonstrated 619000000mt ore
    Total resources 619000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 2.08 wt-pct Copper Major 1994
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1994
    Demonstrated 2118000000mt ore
    Total resources 2118000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.31 wt-pct Copper Major 1994
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1994
    Demonstrated 2118000000mt ore
    Total resources 2118000000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 1.31 wt-pct Copper Major 1994

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • INITIAL CAPACITY OF 320,000 MT COPPER INCREASED IN PHASE I EXPANSION TO 400,000 MT CU AT $76 M COST AND COMPLETED 10/93. PHASE II EXPANSION TO RAISE CAPACITY TO 480,000 MT CU (INCL. 80,000 MT CU CATHODE) TO COST $200 M WILL BE COMPLETED IN 94. PHASE III EXPANSION HAS BEEN APPROVED TO INCREASE COPPER CAP. TO 800,000 MT CU AT A COST OF $520 M TO BE COMPLETED BY MID- 1996. AT THAT TIME APPROX. 30% WOULD BE IN THE FORM OF CATHODE COPPER FROM THE AMMONIA LEACH PROCCESS.
  • RESERVES AS OF 12/31/86 USED IN EVALUATION RESERVES AS OF 11/90

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Surface
    Area 450HA
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method PROPOSED
    Mining Method BENCH (BERM)
    Percent Waste Rock 75
    Avg. Overburden Thickness 80
    Hardness of Ore M-HARD ROCKS
    Avg. Bench Height (meters) 15
    Max. Pit Slope (degrees) 40
    Capacity 40000
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Preprod. Stripping Vol. 360000000
    Operating Days per Year 350
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1990

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Reserve-Resource

    SKILLINGS', DAVID N., MINERA ESCONDIDA TO PROCEED WITH

  • Reserve-Resource

    WORLD'S LARGEST COPPER DEVELOPMENT, SKILLINGS' MINING

  • Reserve-Resource

    REVIEW, 5/14/88, P. 4 - 7.

  • Reserve-Resource

    MINERAL FOR EXPORT; LA ESCONDIDA WILL PRODUCE COPPER IN 91,

  • Reserve-Resource

    NO. 5, 6/89, P. 16 - 20.

  • Reserve-Resource

    E&MJ, 10/91, P. 29 - 31.

  • Reserve-Resource

    RTZ CORP., 1991 20F, P. 11.

  • Reserve-Resource

    RTZ CORP., 1992 20F, P.12,13.

  • Reserve-Resource

    RTZ CORP., 1993 20F, P.10

  • Reserve-Resource

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, 7/29/94, P.4,5.

  • Reserve-Resource

    FITZGERALD, BARRY, BHP'S AMBITIOUS GROWTH PROMISE,

  • Reserve-Resource

    AUSTRALIAN MINING, 9/94, P.22,23.

  • Reserve-Resource

    RTZ CORP., 1994 20F, P.13.

  • Deposit

    MINERALS AND MATERIALS, APRIL/MAY 1987, P. 31.

  • Deposit

    MINE DEVELOPMENT BI MONTHLY 8/31/87, P.8.

  • Deposit

    MINERAL ALERT, 3/11/88, P. 3.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 3/25/88, P. 241.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 3/18/88, P. 221.

  • Deposit

    MINING MONTHLY, 3/88, P. 10.

  • Deposit

    SKILLINGS', 4/2/88, P. 3.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, 4/88, P.16.

  • Deposit

    PAY DIRT, 3/88, P. 58.

  • Deposit

    MINING MAGAZINE, 5/88, P. 372.

  • Deposit

    CHILE ECON. REPORT, 2/88, P. 5.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 2/19/88, P. 142.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, 5/88,

  • Deposit

    PAY DIRT, 5/88, P. 9B.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 2/5/88, P. 89.

  • Deposit

    SKILLING'S, 2/27/88, P. 17.

  • Deposit

    MINING ACTIVITY DIGEST, 5/88, P. 7.

  • Deposit

    INTERNATIONAL MINERALS, 7/88, P. 80.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 7/8/88, P. 25.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 7/29/88, P. 73-75.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 7/15/88, P. 38, 44.

  • Deposit

    BRAZIL MINERALS FOR EXPORT, 7/88, P. 73.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 9/23/88, P. 235.

  • Deposit

    SKILLING'S, 9/3/88, P. 18.

  • Deposit

    MINING MONTHLY, 8/88, P. 5.

  • Deposit

    LAML, VOL. 7, NO. 13, 7/15/88, P. 8.

  • Deposit

    SKILLING'S, 8/6/88, P. 3.

  • Deposit

    MINING MAGAZINE, 9/88, P. 150.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 10/14/88, P. 297.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 9/9/88, P. 214, 215.

  • Deposit

    CHILE ECONOMIC REPORT, 3/88, P. 4, 5.

  • Deposit

    LAML, 8/15/88, VOL. 7, NO. 15, P. 2, 3.

  • Deposit

    E&MJ; FINANCING SET FOR ESCONDIDA COPPER DEVELOPMENT,

  • Deposit

    9/88, P. 13.

  • Deposit

    WORLD MINING EQUIPMENT, JULY/AUG. 1988, P. 50, 51.

  • Deposit

    E&MJ; CONSTRUCTION BEGINS AT THE LA ESCONDIDA COPPER

  • Deposit

    DEPOSIT, 10/88, P. 13.

  • Deposit

    E&MJ; KOMATSU DRESSER WILL SUPPLY TRUCKS FOR ESCONDIDA,

  • Deposit

    11/88, P. 640.

  • Deposit

    DEPARTMENT OF STATE TELEGRAM # 181414Z, JAN. 1990.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 7/15/88, P.44.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 7/29/88, P.73,74.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, ESCONDIDA NO LONGER

  • Deposit

    CONCEALED, 11/90, P.11.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, ESCONDIDA ON TARGET, 11/16/90, P.370.

  • Deposit

    BREWIS, TONY, ESCONDIDA, MINING MAGAZINE, 9/90, P.173-180.

  • Deposit

    DEPARTMENT OF STATE, TELEGRAM, 1/91, NO.SHB0227, 8PP.

  • Deposit

    MILLBANK, PAUL, ESCONDIDA DELIVERS ITS HIDDEN WEALTH, METAL

  • Deposit

    BULLETIN MONTHLY, 2/91, P.72-73.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, 10 YEAR HISTORY- A HISTORY

  • Deposit

    OF PATIENCE REWARDED, 6/91, P.11.

  • Deposit

    MINING ENGINEERING, 6/91, P.586.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, LA ESCONDIDA, 10/91, P.29-31

  • Deposit

    FRASCA, TIM, ESCONDIDA EYES NEW ORE PROCESS FOR COPPER

  • Deposit

    PLANT, AMERICAN METAL MARKET, 2/28/92, P.1,7.

  • Deposit

    METALS WEEK, 3/2/92, P.8.

  • Deposit

    SOUTHWEST PAY DIRT, 3/92, P.3A.

  • Deposit

    SKILLINGS', 3/7/92, P.5.

  • Deposit

    MINING ENGINEERING, LA ESCONDIDA, 4/92, P.310.

  • Deposit

    LOWELL, J. DAVID, THE LA ESCONDIDA EXPLORATION PROJECT,

  • Deposit

    PAPER PRESENTED AT PACIFIC RIM 90 CONGRESS, P.263-274.

  • Deposit

    OJEDA F., J. M., GEOLOGY OF THE ESCONDIDA PORPHYRY COPPER

  • Deposit

    DEPOSIT, II REGION, CHILE, PAPER PRESENTED AT THE PACIFIC

  • Deposit

    RIM 90 CONGRESS, P.473-483.

  • Deposit

    MINERIA CHILENA, MINERA ESCONDIDA ANALIZA SU PROYECTO DE

  • Deposit

    EXPANSION, 2/93, NO.140, P.7,9,11.

  • Deposit

    MINERIA CHILENA, ESCONDIDA PREPARA EXPANSION A LAS 400 MIL

  • Deposit

    TONELADAS/ANO, 2/93, NO. 140, P.15,17.

  • Deposit

    MINERIA CHILENA, PROCESO DE LIXIVIACION AMONIACAL DE

  • Deposit

    ESCONDIDA, 2/93, NO. 140, P.19,21.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, ESCONDIDA'S EXPANSION PROJECT

  • Deposit

    TO GO AHEAD, 7/9/93, VOL 12, NO 11, P.1.

  • Deposit

    MINING RECORD, ESCONDIDA IS WORLD'S SECOND LARGEST COPPER

  • Deposit

    PROJECT, 8/25/93, P.23.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, ESCONDIDA SEES RESERVES

  • Deposit

    DOUBLING, 9/10/93, P.6.

  • Deposit

    MINING RECORD, BHP BUILDING COPPER CATHODE PLANT AT

  • Deposit

    ESCONDIDA, 9/15/93, P.16.

  • Deposit

    SOUTHWEST PAY DIRT, HOW BIG CAN ESCONDIDA COPPER MINE GET?,

  • Deposit

    5/94, P.5B.

  • Deposit

    AUSTRALIA'S MINING MONTHLY, 8/94, P.23,25,26.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, 7/15/94, P.1.

  • Deposit

    METALS WEEK, 8/1/94, P.8.

  • Deposit

    AMERICAN METAL MARKET, 8/2/94, P.2.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 8/5/94, P.91.

  • Deposit

    SKILLINGS', 8/13/94, P.5.

  • Deposit

    MINING RECORD, 8/17/94, P.

  • Deposit

    SKILLINGS', 8/20/94, P.17.

  • Deposit

    AMERICAN METAL MARKET, 8/25/94, P.8.

  • Deposit

    MINING MAGAZINE, 9/94, P.168.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL, 9/2/94, P.165.

  • Deposit

    METALS WEEK, 9/5/94, P.5.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, 9/16/94, P.5.

  • Deposit

    METALS WEEK, 11/28/94, P.3.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, V 13/N 19, 11/30/94, P.7.

  • Deposit

    MINERIA CHILENA, ESCONDIDA, V 13/N 162, 12/94, P.5-43,61,63.

  • Deposit

    METALS WEEK, 12/12/94, P.4.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, V 13/N 20, 12/16/94, P.4.

  • Deposit

    METALS WEEK, V 66/N 3, 1/16/95, P.10.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, 2/8/95, P.4,5.

  • Deposit

    ENGINEERING AND MINING JOURNAL, V 196/N 3, 3 95, P.29.

  • Deposit

    SOUTHWESTERN PAY DIRT, #669, 3/95, P.9B.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, V 14/N 5, 4/10/95, P.5-7.

  • Deposit

    MINING RECORD, V 106/N 28, 7/12/95, P.6.

  • Deposit

    SOUTHWESTERN PAY DIRT, 6/95, P.11B.

  • Deposit

    LATIN AMERICAN MINING LETTER, V 14/N 11, 7/14/95, P.3.

Comments on the references

  • COMMODITIES RESEARCH UNIT, ELECTROWON COPPER, 1993, P.273.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 11-MAR-97 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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