Teck Resources has suspended construction of its Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 (QB2) in Chile, but will continue operating its Antamina mine in Peru.
The Canadian copper and zinc miner is halting QB2 construction for two weeks in accordance with the Chilean government’s virus containment directives. The suspension will impact 15,000 workers involved with the construction, the company said in a statement. Teck said it will reassess the situation in two weeks and determine whether or not to resume operations.
The company has been exempted from the Peruvian government’s restrictive measures and will maintain critical operations at the copper mine, albeit with a reduced workforce for two weeks.
Teck noted there were no confirmed COVID-19 cases among its employees or contract workers at either mine.
The QB2 project is owned by Compañía Minera Teck Quebrada Blanca SA, in which Teck holds a 60pc stake. Sumitomo Metal Mining and Sumitomo Corporation hold 30pc, and ENAMI, a Chilean state agency, owns the balance.
Teck has a 22.5pc stake in Compania Minera Antamina in Peru, which is also the world’s largest copper mine.