{
  "id": 11484167,
  "title": "KGHM, South32 kick off $725M Sierra Gorda expansion",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/kghm-south32-kick-off-725m-sierra-gorda-expansion",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-02T15:43:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Mining.com",
    "slug": "mining-com",
    "url": "https://www.mining.com/kghm-south32-kick-off-725m-sierra-gorda-expansion/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Polish mining company KGHM and Australian miner South32 have started a $725 million expansion of the Sierra Gorda copper mine in Chile. The project aims to boost annual copper production to nearly 200,000 tonnes, up from the current level. Construction of the fourth grinding line will begin in January 2027, with full capacity expected by the second half of 2030. South32 owns 45% of the joint venture, Sierra Gorda SCM, with KGHM holding the remaining 55%. The investment comes as Chile's mining industry seeks to increase production amid declining output, putting pressure on the world's top copper-producing nation to add more capacity. Chile's copper mines, including Sierra Gorda, are pursuing a cost-cutting strategy to improve efficiency and sustainability. The expansion is part of a larger plan that includes a $100 million exploration program between 2028 and 2032 to extend operations until 2049. The project has received necessary environmental and technical permits, demonstrating the viability of competitive mining projects meeting high standards. The Catabela deposit is a key focus of the expansion, with ore reserves increasing by 61% since August, extending the estimated reserve life to 2045.",
  "summary": "A fourth grinding line will lift Sierra Gorda’s processing capacity by 26% with construction scheduled to begin in 2027.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}