Project Overview
Location: Chile
Process Type: Heap Leach with SX-EW
Annual Production: 11 million tonnes (DLP)
Feed Grade: Variable based on copper and carbonate content
Recovery Rate: Not specified
Final Product: LME Grade A Copper Cathodes (95% quality)
Project Stage: Operating
Detailed Process Description
Leaching Systems
Mantoverde operates two active leaching systems: a Dynamic Leach Pad (DLP) and South Dump II (SDII). The DLP is an on/off pad measuring 700m x 900m, capable of processing 11 million tonnes of crushed ore annually. The SDII handles run-of-mine material with expansion capability. Ore allocation between the systems is based on copper and carbonate grades, with higher copper and lower carbonate ores typically directed to the DLP.
Crushing and Preparation
The DLP circuit begins with primary crushing followed by a three-stage crushing system. Material passes through a vibrating screen and secondary cone crusher, then through five surge bins feeding tertiary screens and crushers. The final product is stored in two bins feeding parallel agglomeration drums. Agglomerated ore is transported via conveyor systems to a stacker for placement in 7-meter lifts on the leach pad.
Solution Processing
The operation employs a split solvent extraction circuit with two parallel lines: one with two mixer/settlers in series (E1/E2) processing 1,000 m³/h and another with a single mixer/settler (E3) handling 550 m³/h. The electrowinning facility includes 168 cells with 1 m² stainless steel plate cathodes, producing predominantly LME Grade A quality copper cathodes.
Environmental Controls
The facility incorporates comprehensive solution management systems, including separate PLS and ILS ponds for maximizing copper recovery efficiency. The process includes detailed protocols for solution management and recycling to maintain environmental compliance while optimizing metal recovery.
Technical report and processing history
The following archived source profiles have been consolidated here to preserve the project’s processing history and study context.
Mantoverde Mine — 2024 Technical Report
Mantoverde Mine — 2024 Technical Report
| Company | Capstone |
| Mine | Mantoverde Mine |
| Date | 2024-07-01 |
| Region | Chile |
| Commodities | Copper, Cobalt |
| Mine Type | Open Pit |
| Throughput | 45,000 tpd (MV-O) |
| Mine Life | To 2037/38 |
| Annual Production | N/A |
| Status | Operating |
Executive Summary
This NI 43-101 Technical Report details the recovery methods and optimization plans for the Mantoverde Mine, operated by Capstone. The report covers both the existing oxide leach operation and the sulphide concentrator, including the Mantoverde Development Project (MVDP) and the Optimization project (MV-O). The oxide operation utilizes heap and dump leaching with solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX/EW), while the sulphide operation employs a conventional crushing, grinding, and flotation circuit.
The MV-O project outlines an upgrade to the sulphide concentrator to increase throughput to 45,000 tonnes per day and considers bio-oxidative heap leaching for the oxide circuit to enhance copper recovery from primary sulphide minerals. The report provides detailed equipment sizing, process design criteria, and reagent requirements for both the base case and optimized scenarios.
Processing Profile
- Crushing: Primary Gyratory, Secondary Cone
- Milling: SAG, Ball, Vertical Regrind
- Flotation: Rougher, Cleaner, Scavenger (Tank & Column)
- Leaching: Heap, Dump, SX, EW
Reports
Website: https://capstonecopper.com/operations/mantoverde/
Report Date: 2024-07-01
Region: Chile
Project Status: Operating
Commodity: Copper, Cobalt
Throughput: 45,000 tpd (MV-O)
Mine Life: To 2037/38
Mine Type: Open Pit
Ore type:
Mantoverde Mine — 2021 Technical Report
Mantoverde Mine — 2021 Technical Report
| Company | Mantos Copper Holding SpA |
| Date | 2021-11-29 |
| Region | Atacama Region, Chile |
| Commodities | Copper, Gold |
| Mine Type | Open Pit |
| Throughput | 11.6 Mt/y (Sulphide), 10.7 Mt/y (Heap), 15.0 Mt/y (Dump) |
| Mine Life | 22 years (2021-2042) |
| Status | Operating (Oxide), Development (Sulphide) |
Executive Summary
The Mantoverde Development Project (MVDP) represents a significant brownfield expansion of the existing Mantoverde oxide operation located in the Atacama Region of Chile. The project aims to diversify the mine’s production by incorporating the processing of sulphide minerals alongside the continued treatment of oxide ores. The existing oxide operation utilizes heap and dump leaching with solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX-EW) to produce copper cathodes, currently generating 45,000 to 50,000 tonnes per year. The MVDP introduces a new concentrator facility designed to process 12.3 million tonnes per year of sulphide material, with production ramping up in late 2023.
The project encompasses a comprehensive life-of-mine plan extending to 2042, supported by extensive infrastructure developments including a new Tailings Storage Facility (TSF), an expanded desalination plant, and a new sulphide process plant. The mine operates as an open pit complex, utilizing conventional truck-and-shovel mining methods. Metallurgical testwork has confirmed the feasibility of producing copper concentrate from the sulphide ore, with recoveries averaging 88.4% for copper and 71.2% for gold. The project is economically viable with an after-tax NPV of US$1,283 million at an 8% discount rate.
Reports
Website: https://capstonecopper.com/operations/mineral-reserves-and-resources/
Report Date: 2021-11-29
Region: Atacama Region, Chile
Project Status: Operating (Oxide), Development (Sulphide)
Commodity: Copper, Gold
Throughput: 11.6 Mt/y (Sulphide), 10.7 Mt/y (Heap), 15.0 Mt/y (Dump)
Mine Life: 22 years (2021-2042)
Mine Type: Open Pit
Ore type:
