“This achievement is a testament to our dedicated and skilled teams, who continue to work towards a safe and efficient ramp-up to nameplate operating rates. MVDP remains on track and on budget with our guidance previously disclosed,” said John MacKenzie, CEO, Capstone Copper. “In July, we plan to release an updated feasibility study for our Santo Domingo project, followed by a feasibility study for our Mantoverde Optimized project later in the quarter, which will define the next phases of our value-accretive production growth in the district.”

MVDP is expected to enable the mine to process 236 million metric tons (mt) of copper sulphide reserves (which represent approximately 20% of total sulphide resources) over a 20-year expected mine life, in addition to existing oxide reserves. The MVDP involves the addition of a sulphide concentrator (nominal 32,000 mt/d of ore) and tailings storage facility, and the expansion of the existing desalination plant and other minor infrastructure.