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LMEWEEK-Codelco strategies to inject practically $6 bln into tasks next year

Chile's Codelco is planning to invest nearly $6 billion next year in its pipeline of jobs, about $1 billion more than the stateowned mining giant had formerly approximated, its Chairman Maximo Pacheco told Reuters on Monday.

Codelco is preparing to spend about $4.7 billion this year in projects to update its mines which include Chuquicamata and El Teniente mine with the world's largest underground copper deposit.

The jobs have been postponed for many years due to cost overruns totaling billions, mishaps and operational issues. They have stopped working to provide a guaranteed increase in production, according to the business's own forecasts.

The final capital investment number for 2025 will be approved at a board conference in December, Pacheco stated.

We understand the business will increase its debt next year to continue to support the projects ... the money we are spending as capex is extremely appealing in regards to its economics.

Chile is the world's largest copper supplier and Codelco accounts for simply over a quarter of the nation's output. It is a major factor to the country's financial resources.

Codelco previously in September bought Enami's 10% stake in Teck's Quebrada Blanca mine in northern Chile for $520 million, which Pacheco stated would be paid for with money.

Pacheco said Codelco will produce 1.325 to 1.352 million lots of copper this year which production need to be greater next year, without offering a number.

Its production fell in 2022 and 2023.

This refers issue to us due to the fact that we understood that copper is very essential in today's world for energy acquisition, enhancement of the infrastructure, sustainable energy, and artificial intelligence with all the requirements of data centers.

China remains a tactical market for Codelco as it is typically a deficit market and requires copper imports. Codelco is dealing with diversifying its markets, however Pacheco said nothing. will change significantly in our portfolio.

Pacheco stated Codelco is open to teaming up on joint. endeavors with Saudi Arabia, which is intending to invest in mining. properties around the world.

(source: Reuters)