An August report by Cochilco, Chile’s copper commission, states that the country’s mining investment is expected to be $105 billion between 2014 and 2023, a decrease of 7.5% from last year’s estimate. Projects in the copper industry will receive $81 billion, while $23 billion will be for projects in gold, silver, iron ore and other industrial minerals. These investments reflect a total of 53 projects, completion of which would result in 6 t of copper production in 2015, up 5.3%, and 8 t in 2025. Production of gold would increase by 191% to 149,480 kg/y, molybdenum by 175% to 106,452 tons/y and iron ore by 183% to 48 t/y. The 17 projects under current development would total $23.4 billion in investments, while $6.29 billion would go toward 6 projects considered “probable.” “Possible” investments, in the feasibility stage, are 15 projects worth $25.8 billion, and 15 “potential” projects, in the prefeasibility stage, would be worth $49.3 billion.

Source: BNamericas