Sierra Gorda and BHP’s Spence Mine Sign Cooperation Agreement to Improve Efficiency

Published: Jun 11, 2026 09:23

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Chile’s Sierra Gorda mine and BHP’s Spence operation have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to evaluate collaboration opportunities in supply chains, operating processes and infrastructure aimed at reducing costs, improving efficiency and enhancing long-term competitiveness. Both operations are facing declining ore grades and increasing operational complexity. At the same time, BHP is advancing a concentrator expansion project at Spence, while Sierra Gorda is progressing an SX-EW project expected to produce approximately 30,000 tonnes of copper cathodes annually.

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