Canada’s largest diversified miner is also studying a Phase 3 for Quebrada Blanca, which would double the mine’s capacity to 600,000 tonnes of copper a year from the 300,000 it’s expected to achieve once Phase 2 is completed.
The Tamil Nadu state disconnected the smelter's power supply in May following anti-pollution protests that turned violent and culminated in the police opening fire, killing 13 protesters.
Cochilco lowered its average copper price prediction for this year by $0.03 to $2.97 per pound on Thursday in its second negative projection in six months.
The company said the expansion, to start in early 2019, would add an average 60,000 tonnes of copper a year to its production over the first 15 years of operation.