Lima, Peru – Minsur S.A. (Grupo Breca) has announced that its subsidiary, Cumbres Andinas, which holds a 60% stake in Marcobre, the operator of the Mina Justa copper mine in Ica, has approved the selection phase study for the Mina Justa Underground Project (Puerta 2). This initiative aims to extend the life of the open-pit copper deposit by transitioning to underground extraction.
According to an official filing with Peru’s Superintendencia del Mercado de Valores (SMV), the approval marks a significant step, enabling the development of the project’s definition phase study. Additionally, Minsur confirmed that this milestone incorporates updated reserve estimates and a revised resource model for Mina Justa.
Mina Justa Underground: A Brownfield Expansion
Mina Justa Underground is a brownfield project designed to access deeper copper resources that are not economically viable for open-pit mining. Located in the southeastern sector of the existing deposit, the underground project will be accessed through two ramps.
The project’s execution is progressing steadily. In April 2024, the approval of Puerta 2A greenlit its configuration, budget allocation, additional drilling campaigns, and metallurgical testing. According to Minsur’s 2024 annual report, the project is currently finalizing its prefeasibility study while advancing the engineering phase for its Environmental Impact Modification Study (MEIA).
With this development, Minsur strengthens its position in the copper sector, reinforcing Peru’s role as a key global supplier of the metal critical for the energy transition.