case study
Cambridge IGCSE and O Level Environmental Management
The Antamina Mine in Peru The Antamina mine is a large open-pit mine located high in the Andes Mountains of Peru at an altitude above 4000 m (Figure 1.17). The estimated reserve is 1.5 billion tonnes of ore. Extraction of copper and zinc ores began in 2001. The mine employs more than 5000 people. Before mining could begin, more than 100 million tonnes of surface rock had to be removed and placed in waste piles. The ores were then removed and crushed in the processing plant to produce concentrate. Wastes from this process are called tailings. These are stored in a compound to prevent water pollution. The concentrate is then mixed with water and moved in a 300 km pipeline to the coast. After the water is removed from the concentrate it is loaded into ships.
The mine was expected to stop production in 2022. However, more reserves have been found and increased investment in efficient processing machinery has extended the expected life of the mine to 2029.
Questions 1
Suggest why the mine was developed in such a remote location.
2
Water pollution is serious risk at this open-pit mine. Give three reasons why there is a high risk of water pollution.
3
a Suggest how the production from this mine been made more sustainable than originally planned.
b Explain why it is unlikely that the land will be fully restored when this mine stops production.
14
Figure 1.17 The Antamina Copper mine, Peru, showing benches and the sheer size of the mine.