"Filo del Sol is growing into one of the largest copper-gold-silver discoveries ever," company says.

The administration has said it will work with all players in the mining sector to create a new deal that will address "social profitability."

The expansion has been under study since May 2019.

Escondida, the world's largest copper mine, saw production fall 21.6% year-on-year to 82,900 tonnes.

Profit for the period came to $308.4 million, representing a 445.8% jump over last year.

Brazilian conglomerate Votorantim is on the prowl for copper assets.

This year’s ranking, based on market capitalization as of July, features a number of new entrants.

The market may be left without production from a project that last year churned out 1.2 million tonnes.