Overview

World's largest open-pit copper mine by excavated volume. Classic giant porphyry Cu-Mo deposit.

Geological Context

Host Rock: Granodiorite porphyry (Eocene-Oligocene)

Tectonic Setting: Continental arc

Geological Province: Central Andes

Metallogenic Belt: Andean Porphyry Belt

Operator: Codelco

Mining Method: Open Pit

Production Start: 1915

Source: Codelco annual reports; Sillitoe (2010)

Last Verified: 2026-01-15

References: