• Expocobre 2026 will become the platform to showcase Tía María, a project with a million-dollar investment and a focus on energy transition and sustainability.
• EXPOCOBRE 2026 will take place from April 27 to 29 in Lima, with the participation of experts and authorities from the mining sector.

The Ministry of Energy and Mines (Minem) has authorized the start of mining activities at the Tía María copper project, located in the province of Islay, Arequipa region, run by Southern Peru Copper Corporation, a subsidiary of Grupo México. With an investment of US$1.802 billion and a projected production of 120,000 tons of copper per year starting in 2027, the project is shaping up to be one of the most important initiatives for the country's economic and mining growth, and one of the topics that will take center stage at Expocobre 2026, the international mining fair to be held in Lima next year.

The development includes two deposits—La Tapada and Tía María—which will be mined using a system of leaching and solvent extraction and electrowinning (ESDE), with state-of-the-art technology. Southern Peru has assured that desalinated seawater will be used, avoiding any impact on the Tambo Valley and ensuring sustainable operation under the highest international environmental standards.

Project progress and job creation

According to Grupo México's latest financial report, Tía María is already in the early stages of construction, with 90% of the roads and main access routes already completed. In the coming months, the company will carry out work to set up the temporary camp, earthworks, and initial clearing, thus consolidating the operational phase of the project.

By mid-2025, 1,376 jobs had been created, of which 802 were filled by local workers. During the construction phase, 3,500 jobs are expected to be created, with priority given to workers from the province of Islay. Once operational, Tía María will generate 764 direct jobs and nearly 5,900 indirect jobs, boosting socioeconomic growth in the south of the country.

The project will also include 59 kilometers of live fencing to demarcate the land, contributing to environmental management and the sustainable integration of the area of influence. According to Southern Peru's projections, export revenues will reach US$18.2 billion, with US$3.8 billion in taxes and royalties during its first 20 years of operation.

A project using hydrometallurgical technology

Tía María will be the first major copper project in southern Peru developed using a hydrometallurgical process, a technique that allows copper to be recovered directly from oxidized ore without the need for a concentrator plant. The method consists of leaching the ore with acid solutions, followed by solvent extraction and electro-winning (ESDE), resulting in high-purity copper with a lower environmental impact.

This type of processing significantly reduces energy consumption and emissions, positioning Tía María as a model of responsible and modern mining. In addition, its operation with desalinated seawater reaffirms Southern Peru's commitment to sustainability and the preservation of local natural resources.

Tía María and the new era of Peruvian copper

The development of Tía María is part of a national effort to consolidate Peru's position as the world's third largest copper producer, in a context of growing demand for this metal, which is essential for the global energy transition. Together with other Southern Peru projects, such as Los Chancas (Apurímac) and Michiquillay (Cajamarca), the company seeks to strengthen its presence in the global market through sustainable investments, technological innovation, and social responsibility.

The progress made on the project also represents a sign of confidence for the mining investment environment, at a time when copper is projected to be the main economic driver in the southern region of the country.

Prominence at Expocobre 2026

In this context, Tía María will take center stage during Expocobre 2026, an international event to be held from April 27 to 29, 2026, at the Jockey Exhibition Center in Lima. Organized by InterMet Peru and Viceversa Consulting, the fair will bring together more than 20,000 attendees and 1,000 companies from around the world, consolidating Peru as a hub for the global copper industry.

Chaired by Jorge Hugo Meza Viveros, Chief Operating Officer of Southern Peru, the event will include specialized panels, keynote speeches, and technological innovation forums, where Tía María will be one of the most prominent projects due to its scale, sustainability, and contribution to regional development.

In addition, the event will showcase the country's new portfolio of copper projects, strengthen strategic alliances between mining companies and technology providers, and promote a vision of growth based on sustainability, efficiency, and energy transition. Expocobre 2026 will thus become the ideal showcase to demonstrate to the world the potential of Tía María and its impact on the future of Peruvian copper.