The Antamina mine in Peru is set to increase its copper production by 20% to 450,000 tonnes (t) in 2026, from an expected 380,000t this year, according to a Bloomberg report. 

The report quoted Antamina CEO Luis Santivanez as saying that production is expected to stabilise at around 400,000t annually in the years thereafter. 

With the increased output, Antamina could position itself among Peru's top copper producers, alongside Freeport-McMoran's Cerro Verde and MMG's Las Bambas mines. 

Additionally, Antamina is undertaking a $2bn expansion project. 

In February last year, Peru’s environment watchdog granted a permit to Antamina to undertake this expansion, which will extend the operation’s production from 2028 to 2036. 

The project will cover the expansion of the open pit and the optimisation of the mine’s dumps and tailings dam. 

The new ore will begin processing in 2027 following the completion of the expansion, said the news agency, citing Santivanez. 

The Antamina mine, located 270km north of Lima in the Andes Mountains, is a significant source of copper and zinc, with additional outputs of molybdenum and silver. 

It is co-owned by BHP Group, Glencore, Teck Resources and Mitsubishi. 

Copper and zinc concentrates are transported via a 300km pipeline to the port of Huarney, while molybdenum and lead/bismuth concentrates are trucked. 

Santivanez joined the company following a tragic incident at Antamina's Yanacancha camp in Huari, Ancash, in April this year. 

The mine accident, which resulted in the death of a senior manager and injuries to another employee, prompted a full safety shutdown at the site.