What specific early-stage works has BHP been approved to begin at Escondida, and how much will this initial phase cost?

BHP has received approval from Chile’s Antofagasta Environmental Assessment Commission to commence early-stage works involving sulfide leaching and electricity upgrades at its Escondida copper mine; this initial phase will cost around $1.3 billion.

How does the $14.7 billion Escondida expansion fit into BHP’s broader copper production goals and its stake in the mine?

The $10.7–14.7 billion investment in Chilean operations—including the Escondida expansion—is critical to BHP’s plan to roughly double its global annual copper output to over 2 million tons by the mid-2030s; BHP holds a 57.5% stake in Escondida, the world’s largest copper mine, which is central to achieving that target amid declining ore grades.

BHP Gets Approval to Start $15 Billion Copper Expansion in Chile

Jul 6, 2026

BHP secured environmental approval for a $14.7 billion expansion of its Escondida copper mine in Chile, targeting a doubling of global annual output to over 2 million tons by the mid-2030s.

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