Cuajone mine

The Cuajone mine is a large copper mine located in the south of Peru in Moquegua Region. Cuajone represents one of the largest copper reserve in Peru and in the world having estimated reserves of 1.6 billion tonnes of ore grading 0.57% copper.

The Cuajone Mine was officially opened in November 1976. It was owned by Southern Peru Copper Corporation, which was a 51% subsidiary of Asarco.

The mine has resulted in an environmental conflict, because local residents say that the mine pollutes the environment without providing economic benefits. In February, 2022 local residents blockaded rail access to the mine and cut its water supply, demanding $5 billion in compensation and 5% of the mine's profits.

Geology
The porphyry copper deposit and hypogene mineralization occurred in the Early Eocene. Supergene sulfide enrichment began in the Late Oligocene and continued until the Early Miocene. Chalcocite is the more common copper ore mineral as massive assemblages.