BHP Group (ASX:BHP) secured approval from the Antofagasta Environmental Assessment Commission for early-stage works for an expansion at the Escondida copper mine in Chile, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday, citing a spokesperson for the firm.
The early stage works will be worth around $1.3 billion, and include sulfide leaching and electricity upgrades.
BHP owns a 57.5% stake in the mine, while Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) holds a 30% stake, and a consortium of Japanese companies owns the remaining interest.
The mining firm did not immediately respond to an email request for comment from MT Newswires.
Its shares fell 1% in recent trading on Tuesday.
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