LATIN AMERICA SPECIAL — Southern Peru expands facility

The refinery of Southern Peru Copper is undergoing expansion to 228,000 from 209,000 tonnes per year.

Metal Bulletin says the expansion is part of a commitment on Southern Peru’s part, following its purchase of the refinery more than a year ago from a state-owned Peruvian company. Southern Peru agreed to spend US$20.2 million on plant work during a 3-year period.

Output in 1994 totaled 268,000 tons of copper concentrate, 208,000 tons of cathode and 322,000 tons of blister, at an average cash cost of US67 cents per lb. Output also included 7,000 oz. gold and 1.9 million oz. silver. Meanwhile, the company is spending US$300 million to reduce mine and smelter pollution.