SANTIAGO - Chilean miner Antofagasta applied for an environmental permit to extend operations at its Zaldivar copper mine through 2051, the company announced on Tuesday.
Antofagasta said its extension plan includes a projected investment of $1.2-billion for the base metals project.
The miner is asking regulators to prolong the mine's operations by 26 years. Afterwards, it would implement a mine closure plan, estimated to last until 2054, according to a company statement.
The mine's current environmental impact study permit, or EIA, will expire in 2025.
The requested extension will not modify the firm's previously approved production capacity, the company added.