Among the new copper projects in Mexico, Grupo Mexico is advancing in Buenavista Zinc and El Pilar.

Copper is an important component in the global infrastructure chain.

It is the third most used metal, after iron and aluminum. 

The Buenavista Zinc project is located within the Buenavista del Cobre deposit and Grupo Mexico completed the construction of the new concentrator there in 2023. 

According to the Mexican Mining Chamber (Camimex), this facility has a production capacity of 100,000 tons of zinc and 35,000 tons of copper per year with a useful life of 15 years. 

In 2024, Buenavista Zinc will produce 54,000 tons of zinc and 11,000 tons of copper. 

After completion of the ramp-up, this facility will double its capacity to produce zinc. In addition, the project will cost US$439 million. 

The plant is scheduled to start-up in the first quarter of 2024, after making technical adjustments to the concentrator.

Copper projects

While at El Pilar, copper recovery tests have been carried out and optimization options are being evaluated. 

In addition, basic engineering for the project has been completed and the company is working on environmental projects and activities at the site. 

Operations are expected to start in 2027, producing 36,000 tons of copper per year for 13 years. 

The investment is 310 million dollars. Another project of the company, called El Arco, is located in Baja California and has an estimated investment of 9 billion dollars. 

This project plans to produce 190,000 tons of copper and 105,000 ounces of gold. 

The start date depends on the approval of permits by the environmental authorities.

Open pit

Barksdale Resources’ San Javier Project is located in Sonora and focuses on copper and gold. 

In 2023, the financial evaluation was completed through a preliminary economic study. 

The plan is to have an open pit mine with an SX-EW plant to produce copper cathodes. 

It is expected to produce 94,800 tons over 13 years, with an investment of US$116.8 million.

On the other hand, Torex Gold’s Media Luna project is in Guerrero, seven kilometers from the “El Limón-Guajes” mine. 

It is a subway deposit with gold, copper and silver mineralization. 

Since its approval in March 2022, construction continues to progress. Commercial production is expected to start in the first quarter of 2025.