ABOUT US
Sierra Gorda Sociedad Contractual Minera (Sierra Gorda SCM) is a mining company dedicated to operating a mining site in Chile, specifically in the region of Antofagasta, in the commune of Sierra Gorda. It is about 60 kilometers north of the city of Calama, 150 km from the city of Antofagasta, and about 4.5 kilometers from the town of Sierra Gorda.
The mineral processing and mining facilities of Sierra Gorda SCM are located at 1,626 meters above sea level in the Atacama Desert. Such facilities consist of a pit, sterile landfills, sulfide processing areas (including crushing, milling, floating, and thickening) and thickened tailings deposits, among other infrastructure. This mining site is of the type “porphyry copper”, with mineralizations containing molybdenum, gold, and silver on a smaller scale. During 2023, the Company managed to process an average of 130,121 metric tons per day, resulting in the production of 150,198 tons of fine copper and 2,982 tons of molybdenum.
Sierra Gorda SCM began operations in 2014. Currently, the plant has an approved capacity of 230,000 metric tons per day (MTD), with effective processing ranging from 110,000 (MTD) to 130,000 (MTD) of processed material.
It is one of the main producers of copper and molybdenum concentrate in Chile and the world from low-grade minerals. That is why it has the constant challenge of looking for efficiency and innovation alternatives to ensure a profitable and sustainable operation, positioning itself as pioneer in low-grade mining.
The Company mainly focused on the exploitation, extraction, processing, beneficiation and marketing of mining products being the Sierra Gorda project its main asset, with an investment of approximately US$5.7 billion (including capital contribution, interest during construction and costs incurred).
The company strives to maintain its competitiveness and maximize production, focusing on continuously improving its business through a culture of total safety, staff well-being, environmental protection, and positive contribution to communities.
