The Environmental Evaluation Commission of Antofagasta region gave a favourable judgement on the environmental impact declaration to extend the life of the hydrometallurgical line and the phase one exploitation of sulphides.

Exploitation of these new resources will extend the operation's life from 2022 until 2030 and will require relocation of the primary crusher to access the new resources. The new project will also entail the use of bioleaching to process low grade resources.

"This is good news for Codelco and for Chile. The continuation of the Radomiro Tomic operations and its sustainable prolongation in the coming years is part of our plan to continue delivering resources to the state," said Codelco executive president Octavio Araneda.

Radimiro Tomic produced 260,653 tonnes of copper in 2020 compared with 266,415t in 2019.