First Blast Marks Start of Major Underground Contract at Candelaria
DMC Mining Services Chile has completed its first blast at the Minera Candelaria copper-gold mine in Chile's Atacama Region, officially marking the start of underground lateral development operations under contract with Lundin Mining Chile.
Contract Scope
The Lateral Development and Reinforcement contract encompasses:
- Full lateral development: Complete range of horizontal development activities across the deposit
- Ground support: Comprehensive ground support installation in all development headings
- Scaling and reinforcement: Full geotechnical support for stable underground openings
DMC Chile Growth Story
DMC Mining Services, a division of KGHM International (part of KGHM Polska Miedź SA), entered the Chilean market seven years ago with the vision of building a leading underground mining contractor. The Candelaria contract represents significant growth:
- Workforce: DMC Mining Services Chile has grown to 1,600 employees
- Global reach: DMC operates across 9 countries with 600–700 employees globally and annual revenue of US$20–30 million
- Capabilities: End-to-end solutions for mine development, shaft sinking, vertical raising and engineering
Candelaria Mine Overview
The Minera Candelaria copper-gold mine is operated by Lundin Mining Chile in the Atacama Region. The mine produces copper and gold concentrates and has been a significant operation in the region. The underground development contract provides DMC an opportunity to further expand its presence in one of the world's most important mining jurisdictions.
Industry Context
Underground mining contractors play a critical role in copper and gold mine development, providing specialized expertise in lateral development, ground support, and underground infrastructure construction. The Candelaria contract highlights the continued demand for skilled underground mining services in Chile's Atacama region, home to multiple major copper-gold operations.
