El Abra Commemorates 30 Years of Operation

August 27, 2026 - Freeport’s El Abra operation in Chile is commemorating 30 years of mining, which began with the production of its first copper cathode August 10, 1996.

A landing page that traces the site’s key milestones since it opened has been added to El Abra’s website. In addition, a book that profiles 30 El Abra workers and the contributions they make both on and off the job is being distributed to all employees.

“These 30 years represent much more than an operational journey,” said Boris Medina, President-El Abra. “They reflect three decades of relationships built with employees, contractors, communities and local organizations. We are proud of what we have achieved together and confident that El Abra’s future will continue to be shaped alongside the people and communities that have accompanied us throughout this journey.”

The anniversary comes at a pivotal time for the mine. El Abra currently is advancing through the environmental permitting process for its Operational Continuity Project.

The initiative is designed to extend the mine’s life for several more decades and enable a future expansion that would triple current copper production through the addition of a new concentrator plant and the use of desalinated seawater.

Beyond its mining activities, El Abra has built long-term relationships with neighboring communities, supporting programs focused on education, local economic development, cultural heritage and environmental stewardship.

Photo: Diego Moya Palta, Maintenance Engineer II, is one of 30 El Abra employees profiled in a book that helps commemorate 30 years of operations.