This contract comprises a 143,000t/d copper concentrator, a high-capacity desalination plant and a 165km water supply pipeline.

The Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 project (QB2) is located in the northern Chilean Andes, 4,300m above sea level and approximately 145km from the Pacific Ocean. Bechtel will be responsible for the engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM). First production is targeted for the second half of 2021 and QB2 is expected to generate 316,000t/y of copper-equivalent production for the first five full years of mine life.

Paige Wilson, president of Bechtel's mining & metals global business unit, said: "We are very proud to be working with Teck to develop the Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 project. Working together with Teck we have developed a capital efficient design and, in the field, we will be applying innovative productivity methodologies to deliver the lowest possible construction costs in Chile. The project offers a great opportunity for Bechtel and Teck to deliver industry best results building the largest copper project in Latin America."