Enabling the expansion of the world’s largest copper mine

Antamina Modification of the Environmental Impact Assessment (MEIA)

The Antamina mine in the Andes produces copper and zinc for worldwide markets. When the owners wanted to optimize their existing components, they set out to secure a MEIA (modification of the environmental impact assessment). The Peruvian Government required an approved environmental impact assessment before any building modifications in the mine could start.

The main proposed modifications included the expansion of the open pit, the enhancement and optimization of the waste deposits and tailings dam, and modifications to the auxiliary support facilities. Our contribution? Our team and subcontractors conducted environmental studies and coordinated three citizen participation processes between 2019 and 2022, specifically focusing on social and environmental influence and incorporating cultural and diversity aspects. This helped us integrate invaluable contributions from the public, even as we all worked virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The successful completion of the studies, consultations, and inclusion processes enabled an investment of approximately $2 billion in the mine, which will be executed over the next few years according to the company’s internal governance process. With this MEIA and investment in place, the Antamina mine will be able to continue operations for another eight years.