Minera Esperanza Ships First Cu Concentrates to Japan

Japanese major trading firm, Marubeni announced on Friday Chilean mining joint venture, Mirera Esperanza, in which Antofagasta has 70% interest with 30% share by Marubeni, commenced its first loading of copper concentrates dispatching the first ship with around 5,000 tonnes from the port at Antofagasta port to Japan on Thursday.Minera Esperanza adopted technology of flotation with sea water and thickened tailings for the first time in Chile. The firm also introduced on of the largest milling facilities in world. The construction started in 2008 starting operation in late 2010. The firm plans average annual output at 700,000 tonnes of copper concentrates or 191,000 tonnes of copper along with 230,000 ounces of gold in first 10 years.With the new mine, Marubeni’s copper interest increases to annual 125,000 tonnes. Marubeni would continue developing copper operation with Antofagasta in Sierra Gorda district, Chile.