The local MINERA ESCONDIDA LTDA has amassed a quantity of tailings coming from its Rougher floatation plant over the years. These tailings, according to a company spokesman, present a copper content that makes its recovery economically attractive. As a result, MINERA ESCONDIDA is now considering the construction of a tailings retreatment circuit to be sited at its giant Escondida mine.

In so doing, the undertaking could reportedly add another 50,000 metric tons per year in copper-in-concentrate output capacity. The cost to complete the project has been pegged at $73,000,000.