Caserones
Copper mine in Chile
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Caserones is a low-grade copper and molybdenum mine in Tierra Amarilla in Atacama Region, Chile. The mine is operated by SCM Minera Lumina Copper Chile, a joint venture where Lundin Mining have 70% of the shares and JX Nippon Mining & Metals owns the remaining. The mine lies about 4,000 m a.s.l. in the Andes and just about six kilometers west of the Argentina–Chile border.
18,900 tons of copper cathodes
4,600 tons of molybdenum in concentrates
  Caserones  Caserones | |
| Location | |
|---|---|
| Atacama Region | |
| Country | Chile |
| Coordinates | 28°10′8.56″S 69°32′1.06″W |
| Production | |
| Products | Copper |
| Production | 120,600 tons of copper fines 18,900 tons of copper cathodes 4,600 tons of molybdenum in concentrates |
| Financial year | 2023 |
| History | |
| Opened | 2014 |
| Owner | |
| Company | SCM Minera Lumina Copper Chile
|
Construction of the mine started in 2010 and it begun operations in 2014.[1] Mining is expected to last until 2042 according to the mining plan.[2] An environmental impact assessment to modify the previously approved mining project was submitted in 2020 and approved by authorities in July 2025.[3] In January 2026 SCM Minera Lumina Copper submitted a plan to the Environmental Assessment Service to extend the mine lifetime to 2039.[4]
Originally, JX Nippon Mining & Metals owned 51.5% of the mine and Mitsui Mining and Smelting owned 25.87% and Mitsui & Co. 22.63%.[1] Later JX Nippon Mining & Metals acquired a 100% ownership of the mine before selling 51% of the shares to Lundin Mining in March 2023.[1][5] The sale to Lundin Mining included an option for a further purchasing of 19% in the next five years, an option which Lundin Mining took in July 2024.[6]
In February 2017 an agreement was signed for Caserones mine start export its products from Compañía Minera del Pacífico's Punta Totoralillo.[7][8] Previously Caserones shipped its ores from Antofagasta 700 km to the north and Coquimbo 400 km to the south.[8]
See also
- Fundición Paipote, a nearby copper smelter
- Pirquinero, artisanal miners present in Tierra Amarilla and much of northern Chile
