Description: El Abra is an open-pit copper mining complex.

Did you Know?  During 2011, El Abra commenced production from its newly commissioned stacking and leaching facilities to transition from production of oxide to sulfide ores.

Location: 47 miles north of Calama, in Chile's El Loa province, Region II.

Ores:  El Abra is a porphyry copper deposit that has sulfide and oxide mineralization. The predominant primary sulfide copper minerals are bornite and chalcopyrite. There is a minor amount of secondary sulfide mineralization as chalcocite. The oxide copper minerals are chrysocolla and pseudomalachite. There are lesser amounts of copper, bearing clays and tenorite.

Processes and facilities: The El Abra operation includes a SX/EW facility, a 150,000 metric ton-per-day crushed leach circuit and a similar-sized run-of-mine leaching operation. FCX is also engaged in pre-feasibility studies for a potential large-scale milling operation at El Abra to process additional sulfide material and to achieve higher recoveries. Exploration results at El Abra indicate the potential for a significant additional sulfide resource. 

Background: Mining operations began in 1996.

Ownership: 51% FCX; 49% Corporación Nacional del Cobre de Chile (CODELCO)

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