BHP Billiton speeds up the construction of Chile's Spence copper mine and is expected to start production in the first half of next year.

SMM12, March 1: BHP Billiton said it would accelerate the expansion of its $2.5 billion Spence copper mine in Chile in December, which was stalled by the epidemic and is expected to start production for the first time in the first half of 2021.

Miagous, general manager of Spence Copper Mine, said the current focus is to ensure the use of renewable energy in operations.

The Melbourne-based mining giant said last year that it planned to operate the Spence and Escondida copper mines entirely on renewable energy by 2022.

Before the outbreak, the copper mine's expansion plan provided 4100 temporary jobs and 220permanent jobs. Once the transformation of the mine is completed, BHP Billiton's copper production will increase by 185000 tons in the first decade, or 4000 tons per year.

Spence copper mine is BHP's second largest mine in Chile, after the world's largest Escondida copper mine.