Company Plans 30% Copper Production Increase by 2030
Ivan Ariagada, CEO of Chilean copper miner Antofagasta, announced at the 2026 World Mining Congress that the company plans to increase copper production by 30% by 2030. This plan will be achieved through expansion of existing operations in Chile, application of new technologies, and infrastructure optimization. This move aims to meet global growth demand for critical minerals driven by energy transition, with a significant copper supply gap expected by 2035.
Achieve Growth Through Existing Business Expansion
Ariagada emphasized that innovation will be the key driver to achieve targets. Adopting new technologies and more efficient processes will accelerate project development and improve operational productivity. The company will also focus on developing brownfield expansion projects, utilizing existing infrastructure to respond quickly to market demand. This move may alleviate future copper supply tightness, but specific implementation progress requires further confirmation.