STRABAG wins contracts at Chuquicamata Underground Mine in Chile worth 800 million euros

24 Feb 2026

Conversion of Chile's largest open-cast copper mine into an underground operation
STRABAG subsidiary ZÜBLIN active in Chile since the 1980s, focus on mining and energy infrastructure
Long track record as a reliable partner for large mining projects

STRABAG subsidiary ZÜBLIN has secured two strategically important contracts from Codelco for the Chuquicamata "Mina Norte" underground mine, thereby realizing one of the company's largest mining projects in Chile to date. The project is part of the transformation of Chuquicamata, the world's largest open-pit copper mine, into a modern, long-term underground mine. Completion is scheduled for 2031.

The contracts include the construction of more than 54 kilometers of tunnels and associated critical infrastructure. The aim is to extend the mine's operating life by several decades and at the same time significantly improve its environmental footprint. Around 1,200 workers will be mobilized for the project. The STRABAG Group is thus making a significant contribution to one of the largest mining projects currently underway in Chile

ZÜBLIN has been operating successfully in Chile for almost four decades, realizing major mining, tunnelling and energy infrastructure projects there. Mina Norte will further consolidate our role as a reliable partner for large-scale mining projects and strengthen our non-European business in a targeted manner.

Siegfried Wanker
Member of the Executive Board of STRABAG SE for the International + Special Divisions segment

The STRABAG Group has been active in Chile for almost 40 years and has been directly involved in major projects such as Chuquicamata, El Teniente and Candelaria. The Group is thus making a long-term contribution to the development of the country's most important mining regions. To date, projects worth over 6 billion euros have been realized in Chile. More than 380 kilometers of tunnels have been built and several hundred million tons of excavated material have been transported.

ZÜBLIN is valued by leading mining companies for its many years of experience, high quality of execution and technical and operational expertise. These strengths are reflected, among other things, in the rapid implementation of complex projects: As part of the "Chuquicamata Subterránea" contract (2016-2024), the company constructed up to 1,900 meters of tunnel per month.