ANTAMINA MINING SITE

SAN MARCOS, PERU

Located in the Peruvian sierra, 450 km north-east of Lima, is Antamina. It is a copper and zinc mine owned by the Canadian companies Noranda, Rio Algom and Teck, together with Mitsubishi, from Japan. This work represented huge challenges: Antamina, at 4,300 m above sea level, has a complicated access through mountain roads, with sharp curves and deep cliffs. Besides, heavy rainfalls usually block the road, affecting progress. The pioneer camp — with 1,000 beds, built in only 3 months — features electricity, drinking water, sewers, and firefighting network utility services, in addition to the buildings.