Peru OKs environmental study for Southern Copper mine expansion

Peru approved the environmental study for Southern Copper's $1.2-billion expansion of its Toquepala mine, a project expected to raise copper output by 100 000 t/y, the government said on Thursday. Construction on the expansion, which will add a new concentrator at the mine and boost its tailings storage capacity, is scheduled to wrap up in two years, the energy and mines ministry said in a statement.