{"url":"https://www.bnamericas.com/en/interviews/inside-first-quantums-us525bn-taca-taca-copper-project-push-in-argentina","title":"First Quantum readies Taca Taca's key pieces in Argentina","domain":"bnamericas.com","imageUrl":"https://images.pexels.com/photos/26632419/pexels-photo-26632419.jpeg?auto=compress&cs=tinysrgb&h=650&w=940","pexelsSearchTerm":"Argentinian copper mine","category":"Culture","language":"en","slug":"d1ff20ac","id":"d1ff20ac-96fc-431c-b985-1c506fc0dbf6","description":"First Quantum details preparations for its US$5.25bn Taca Taca copper mine in Argentina's Salta province.","summary":"## TL;DR\n- First Quantum details preparations for its **US$5.25bn** Taca Taca copper mine in Argentina's Salta province.\n- Project expects **291,000t/y** copper for first 10 years, then **209,000t/y** over 35-year life, plus gold and molybdenum.\n- Advances hinge on ESIA approval expected later in **2025**, water permits, rail logistics to Chile.\n\n## The story at a glance\nFirst Quantum Minerals outlines progress on the Taca Taca open-pit copper project through an interview with project development manager **Roelof Brits**. The company is coordinating rail infrastructure to Chile's Mejillones port, water sourcing from aquifers, and tech like electric haul trucks. This comes as Argentina pushes copper development amid economic reforms, with ESIA approval anticipated later this year.[[1]](https://www.bnamericas.com/en/interviews/inside-first-quantums-us525bn-taca-taca-copper-project-push-in-argentina)\n\n## Key points\n- Total capex stands at **US$5.25bn**; one of world's 15 largest undeveloped copper projects, fully owned by Canada's First Quantum.\n- Production: **291,000t/y** copper average first decade (max **323,000t**), then **209,000t/y**; byproducts gold, molybdenum; **40Mtpa** processing plant.\n- Logistics: New rail spur from site, rehab existing Salta-Meijillones line; talks with operators like Ferronor, FCAB; concentrate exports via Chile.\n- Water: From four non-potable aquifers; 2023 permit apps submitted; 90% supply for **60Mtpa** capacity via thickeners, brine repulping; desalination ruled out.\n- Tech: Electric shovels/drills, Quantum Electra Haul trucks; eyes autonomous ops, AI scheduling, remote centers for efficiency.\n- Jobs: **4,000** construction, **2,000** operational (95% local, trained); security vs copper theft.\n- Regulatory: Mining ESIA approval due late **2025**; water permits post-ESIA; offtake deals pending.\n\n## Details and context\nTaca Taca sits at **3,500m** in arid Andes, 230km from Salta city, 55km from Chile border—water scarcity is key challenge, addressed by contained aquifers unused by communities and evaporation risk if untapped.[[1]](https://www.bnamericas.com/en/interviews/inside-first-quantums-us525bn-taca-taca-copper-project-push-in-argentina)\n\nLessons from Cobre Panamá shutdown shape approach: stronger community outreach, public education on mining benefits.\n\nRail rehab critical as no current route; synergies possible with nearby projects but not required.\n\nCapex rose recently from earlier estimates like **US$3.6bn** amid updated production studies.[[2]](https://www.bnamericas.com/en/features/first-quantum-raises-taca-taca-copper-project-capex-in-argentina-to-us52bn-and-increases-production)\n\n## Key quotes\n\"Our philosophy with respect to technology has always been for it to drive incremental benefits and improvements, versus it being critical to operational success.\" — **Roelof Brits**, Taca Taca project development manager.[[1]](https://www.bnamericas.com/en/interviews/inside-first-quantums-us525bn-taca-taca-copper-project-push-in-argentina)\n\n\"We do recognize that water is a sensitive topic in arid environments and we will continue to treat it as a scarce resource.\" — **Roelof Brits**.[[1]](https://www.bnamericas.com/en/interviews/inside-first-quantums-us525bn-taca-taca-copper-project-push-in-argentina)\n\n## Why it matters\nTaca Taca could help meet global copper demand for energy transition, boosting Argentina's output toward **5.4%** market share from eight projects.\nFor investors, it offers First Quantum growth post-Cobre Panamá; creates thousands of local jobs, tests Argentina's mining reforms.\nWatch ESIA/water approvals in late **2025**, rail deals, and possible RIGI incentives—production timeline uncertain without them.","hashtags":["#copper","#mining","#argentina","#first","#quantum","#taca"],"sources":[{"url":"https://www.bnamericas.com/en/interviews/inside-first-quantums-us525bn-taca-taca-copper-project-push-in-argentina","title":"Original article"},{"url":"https://www.bnamericas.com/en/features/first-quantum-raises-taca-taca-copper-project-capex-in-argentina-to-us52bn-and-increases-production","title":""}],"viewCount":2,"publishedAt":"2026-04-08T17:18:51.645Z","createdAt":"2026-04-08T17:18:51.645Z","articlePublishedAt":null}