The $1.4bn Andina Transfer project turned the underground operation into an open pit mine located 3,500 metres above sea level, which holds 30% of Chile’s copper reserves.
New research by UC Berkeley geochemists shows that copper in soil and seawater acts as a catalyst to turn organic matter into both methyl bromide and methyl chloride, two potent halocarbon compounds that destroy ozone.
Wheaton will provide a total of $180.5 million under terms of a metals streaming deal, and Trafigura will provide $55 million under terms of an offtake financing agreement.