BHP has filed an application for environmental authorization to extend operations at its Cerro Colorado copper mine in Chile for an additional 20 years.
The proposal includes a capital investment of $1.5 billion aimed at modernizing the facility and sustaining production levels through the next two decades.
The move underscores the miner's commitment to its South American assets, which are critical to its global copper output.
Cerro Colorado is one of BHP's key operations in Chile, a country that accounts for a significant share of the world's copper supply.
The extension request comes as the mining sector faces increasing pressure to balance production growth with stricter environmental and social governance standards.
According to La República, the application marks a pivotal step in the mine's lifecycle, potentially securing its status as a long-term contributor to Chile's mining sector.