Southern bets US$319mn to maintain Cuajone's production pace

Southern Copper, a subsidiary of Grupo México, plans to invest US$318.6 million (mn) in upgrades for its Cuajone open-pit copper mine in Moquegua, with the aim of ensuring operational continuity and reducing costs at one of its main operations in Peru.

The work would be carried out over a period of 17 months and includes the installation of a new filter press in the concentrator plant to support production during maintenance shutdowns and improve concentrate quality. It also entails the relocation of a section of the fresh water pipeline on the north side of the mine, the preparation of an additional 25.3ha for leaching, and the adaptation of the sewer network in the operational area. 

This is complemented by the construction of a substation and an electrical room associated with the new filter within the same industrial area.

Cuajone produces around 163,000t of fine copper. Together with Toquepala, the operation was key to the increase in Southern Copper's production in the last quarter of 2025. Both mines received that year The Copper Mark accreditation for complying with ICMM's Global Industry Standard on Tailings Management.

The planned improvements at Cuajone are part of Southern Copper's strategy to sustain the mine's competitiveness and operational continuity, in a context of greater sustainability demands on the copper industry

In January 2025, Southern Copper received authorization to invest around US$79mn in Toquepala, with an execution period of 36 months.

The plan included technological and operational improvements aimed at strengthening production efficiency and environmental sustainability through the installation of a new desliming unit to optimize the processing of low-grade ore, thickeners to maximize water recovery from tailings, and works to improve seepage management.

The planned investments reflect Southern Copper's strategy to strengthen its operations in Peru. While Cuajone concentrates resources to sustain its role in Moquegua's production, Toquepala aims to reinforce efficiency and sustainability in Tacna. Both mines consolidate the company's position as one of the main copper producers in the Andean region.

(The original version of this content was written in Spanish)