Los Azules Project with an Environmental Impact Assessment approval

Environmental Impact Assessment

McEwen Copper Inc., a subsidiary of McEwen Mining Inc. announces in its press release about the approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Los Azules copper project in Argentina. This crucial milestone, granted by the Ministry of Mines in San Juan Province, signifies a strong endorsement of sustainable copper mining in this pro-mining region.

Key information

The EIA submission, prepared in collaboration with Knight Piesold and 22 experts, underwent rigorous scrutiny by 14 public and private institutions. The extensive public consultations and site visits ensured environmental and community considerations are central to the project. Moreover the Los Azules is committed to carbon neutrality by 2038, with renewable energy and a low water footprint at its core.

CEO Robert McEwen emphasizes the company’s dedication to regenerative mining, saying, “Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in every step of this journey, and we thank all partners who made this possible.”

Next step

The next project step is a definitive feasibility study which will be published in H1 2025 The potential construction start by 2026, unlocking transformative potential for San Juan Province and Argentina’s mining sector.

Los Azules Project

The Los Azules Project is one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper deposits. Ranked among the top 10 undeveloped copper deposits by Mining Intelligence in 2022, Los Azules is pivotal in the energy transition, offering sustainable practices like 100% renewable energy usage, minimal water consumption, and a commitment to carbon neutrality by 2038. Its Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) in 2023 highlights strong metrics such as:

• $2.7 billion NPV8% (after-tax) at $3.75/lb Cu.
• Low production cost of $1.07/lb Cu.
• Short payback of 3.2 years.

The project holds 10.9 billion pounds of copper (Indicated) and 26.7 billion pounds (Inferred), ensuring an initial mine life of 27-30 years. Los Azules aims to set a benchmark for sustainable and efficient mining while supporting global electrification efforts.

Los Azules is more than a mining project; it’s a benchmark for responsible development, environmental stewardship, and community collaboration.