Peru's No. 2 copper mine Antamina names Adolfo Heeren as new CEO

LIMA, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Antamina, Peru's second-largest copper mine, said on Thursday it appointed Adolfo Heeren as its new chief executive and general manager.

Heeren, the current CEO of Anglo American in Peru, will start his new role on Feb.1, 2025, replacing Victor Gobitz Colchado, who is leaving the position for personal reasons, according to a company statement.

Antamina, controlled by Glencore, BHP, Teck, and Mitsubishi, said that Heeren will oversee the mine's optimization process as well as other projects focused on solving operational challenges.

The mine was Peru's top copper producer in 2022, with an output of 467,905 metric tons, but has since fallen to number two, according to data from the Mines and Energy ministry. Production is expected to remain steady in 2024, in line with the 435,378 metric tons it produced last year.

Antamina said in May it was nearing the start of work on a $2 billion delayed project to extend the mine's life to 2036, from 2028 currently.