Orla said it had notified authorities of its intentions with the hope of motivating talks between the parties.

Futures on the London Metal Exchange have risen more than 12% so far this year.

Owner China's MMG faces a fresh protest by local communities demanding greater benefits from the Las Bambas copper mine.

Copper production from the Escondida miner rose 34% to 97,500 tons.

Over a mine life of 10.5 years, Tocantinzinho is expected to produce 1.83 million oz. of gold.

It’s the latest twist in tensions between SQM and its Chinese shareholder after representatives of the two companies questioned each other’s real motivations.

Both teammates worked on the company’s technical services team. 

The project is 70% owned by Capstone and 30% by Mitsubishi Materials.