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Antofagasta

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FY2015 Annual Report · Antofagasta
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Antofagasta plc
Annual report and financial statements 2015

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Introduction

Antofagasta is a Chilean copper mining group 
with significant by-product production and 
interests in transport. 
The Group creates value for its stakeholders through the 
discovery, development and operation of copper mining assets. 
The Group is committed to generating value in a safe and 
sustainable way throughout the commodity cycle.

 For further information on the mining lifecycle, please see pages 12 to 18.

Throughout this report our business model diagram below will indicate which area of our value chain is related to the narrative.

INPUTS

EXPLORATION

EVALUATION

CONSTRUCTION

EXTRACTION

PROCESSING

MARKETING

RESTORATION

OUTPUTS

Inside this report

 01

Overview

2015 Highlights

The business

Performance highlights

Letter from the Chairman

Statement from the CEO

01

02

04

05

08

 11

 69

 117

 183

Strategic report

Governance

Financial statements

Other information

Independent  
auditors’ report

Consolidated 
income statement

118

122

Consolidated statement  
of comprehensive income 123

Consolidated statement  
of changes in equity

Five-year summary

Ore reserves and mineral 
resources estimates

Mining production 
and sales, cash cost 
reconciliation, transport 
and water statistics

123

Glossary and definitions

Consolidated balance sheet 124

Shareholder information

Directors and advisors

Consolidated cash 
flow statement

Notes to the 
financial statements

Parent Company 
financial statements

125

126

179

184

186

194

197

200

ibc

Business model

Creating value through  
the mining lifecycle

Key inputs and cost base

Key relationships

The marketplace

Strategy for the 
mining business

Key performance  
indicators

Risk management

Long-term 
viability statement

Operational review

Mining division

12

12

19

22

25

Corporate 
Governance Report

Leadership

How the Board and its 
Committees operate

Board of Directors

Executive Committee

28

Effectiveness

The Board in more detail

70

72

72

74

77

79

79

30

32

38

39

39

Information and 
professional development 82

Performance evaluation

Accountability

Board Committees

84

85

85

Audit and Risk Committee 86

The existing core business 40

Growth projects 
and opportunities

Transport

Managing a 
sustainable business

Financial review

Results

Revenue

Cash flows

Financial position

48

52

53

64

64

65

67

68

Nomination and 
Governance Committee

Sustainability 
and Stakeholder 
Management Committee

Projects Committee

Remuneration

Annual Statement by 
the Chairman of the 
Remuneration and Talent 
Management Committee

Summary of Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy

Cautionary statement about 
forward-looking statements 68

Annual Report on 
Remuneration 2015

90

93

95

96

96

98

99

Relations with shareholders 112

Directors’ Report

114

Statement of Directors’ 
Responsibilities

116

2015 Highlights

$3,394.6m

Revenue of $3,394.6 million, 34.0% 
lower than 2014 due to fall in  
realised prices and lower production. 

 For more information go to Financial review.

Revenue

1
.
0
4
7
,
6

0
.
6
7
0
,
6

6
.
1
7
9
,
5

6
.
5
4
1
,
5

6
.
4
9
3
,
3

630,300 tonnes

Copper production of 630,300 
tonnes, a 10.6% decrease on 2014.

5
.
0
4
6

 For more information go to Financial review.

11

12

13

141

15

Copper production

6
.
9
0
7

2
.
1
2
7

8
.
4
0
7

3
.
0
3
6

0.6 cents

Earnings per share fell 98.6% to  
0.6 cents per share due to lower 
realised prices, sales volumes and 
higher unit operating costs.

 For more information go to Financial review.

$1.50/lb

Net cash costs for the year, 4.9% 
higher than 2014 as cost savings  
and lower input prices were more 
than offset by lower production.

 For more information go to Financial review.

11

12

13

14

15

Earnings per share

4
.
5
2
1

2
.
5
0
1

9
.
6
6

8
.
2
4

6
.
0

11

12

13

142

152

Net cash costs

6
3
.
1

3
4
.
1

0
5
.
1

2
0
.
1

3
0
.
1

11

12

13

14

15

1 Restated.
2 From continuing operations.

Antofagasta plc  01

OVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONThe business

Mining is the Group’s core business, representing over 90% of Group revenue 
and EBITDA. The Group operates four copper mines in Chile, two of which also 
produce significant by-products. The Group has a significant portfolio of growth 
opportunities located predominantly in Chile and in the United States.

 Further information on pages 39 to 51.

Group strategy
The strategy for growing the Group’s 
mining business is based around 
three pillars:

  Further information on pages 28 and 29.

Mining

1

The existing core business 

Los Pelambres 

60% owned

Centinela

70% owned

The Group’s flagship mine is in central Chile, 
generating over 57% of overall production and 
approximately 65% of EBITDA. It produces copper 
concentrates containing gold and silver and a 
separate molybdenum concentrate.

 Further information on pages 40 to 42.

The Group’s second largest operation is located 
in a world-class mining district in northern 
Chile. Centinela produces copper concentrates 
containing gold and silver, and copper cathodes.

 Further information on pages 43 and 44.

Antucoya 

70% owned 

Zaldívar 

50% owned 

Antucoya started production during 2015 and is 
expected to achieve its design capacity of 85,000 
tonnes of copper cathodes per annum during the 
first half of 2016. 

The Group acquired a 50% interest and assumed 
operatorship of Zaldívar in December 2015. 
Zaldívar is an operating mine in northern Chile 
producing copper cathodes. 

 Further information on page 46.

  Further information on page 47. 

Production

Copper (tonnes)

Molybdenum (tonnes)

Gold (ounces)

2015

2016 forecast

2015

2016 forecast

2015 2016 forecast

Los Pelambres

363,200

355–365,000

10,100

8–9,000

51,400

45–55,000

Centinela Concentrates

145,200

175–185,000

162,500

200–220,000

Centinela Cathodes

Michilla1

Antucoya

Zaldívar2

Total

75,900

29,400

12,200 

4,400

60–65,000

– 

65–70,000

50–55,000

630,300

710–740,000

10,100

8–9,000

213,900

245–275,000

1 Put on care and maintenance at the end of December 2015.
2 Attributable production, the Group became the operator of the mine in December 2015.

1

2

3

1 The existing  
core business

•  Constant focus on cost management 

and compliance

•  Delivery of production and cash cost guidance
•  Continue to get the best possible performance 

from existing assets

•  Proactive new approach with community and 

other stakeholders 

2 Organic and sustainable growth  

of the core business

•  Complete Antucoya ramp up to design capacity
•  Complete Centinela 105 ktpd expansion
•  Progress Encuentro Oxides and Centinela 

Molybdenum Plant projects

•  Advance Centinela Second Concentrator and 

Los Pelambres Incremental Expansion feasibility 
studies and permitting

3 Growth beyond  
the core business

•  Progress international exploration activities
•  Continue optimisation of Twin Metals Minnesota 

pre-feasibility study

•  Monitor and assess attractive 

acquisition opportunities

02  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

2

Organic and sustainable growth  
of the core business

Under construction

Centinela

A debottlenecking project to increase daily ore 
throughput in the concentrator to 105,000 tonnes 
is underway and is expected to be completed in the 
first half of 2016.

  Further information on page 48.

Encuentro Oxides

Construction of this project to provide additional 
feed for the Centinela SX-EW plant continued during 
2015. This project will allow Centinela Cathodes 
to increase copper cathode production to 100,000 
tonnes per annum until 2023 while at the same time 
opening up the larger Encuentro Sulphide deposit 
below the oxides.

  Further information on page 48.

Molybdenum Plant 

This project to produce some 2,400 tonnes of 
molybdenum at Centinela Concentrates, is expected 
to be completed in 2017. 

  Further information on page 48.

Growth projects

Los Pelambres 
Incremental Expansion

During the year the Group revised the approach 
to the incremental expansion of Los Pelambres 
and decided to split the project into two phases to 
ease the development of the project and conserve 
development capital in light of lower commodity 
prices. This two-phase strategy was approved by 
the Board during the year and the feasibility study 
is now underway.

  Further information on page 49.

Centinela Second Concentrator

The Centinela Second Concentrator is expected 
to have annual production of 140,000 tonnes of 
copper, 150,000 ounces of gold and 3,000 tonnes of 
molybdenum. An environmental impact assessment 
has been submitted and the pre-feasibility study is 
expected to be completed in 2017.

  Further information on pages 49 and 50.

Los Pelambres

The current resource base is triple the size of the 
current mine plan and has potential for a further 
expansion in the longer term.

  Further information on page 50.

3

Growth beyond the core business

Greenfield

Twin Metals

A copper, nickel and platinum group metals 
underground mining project located in north-east 
Minnesota. The Group acquired the balance of the 
project in January 2015 and is now conducting 
optimisations of the pre-feasibility study while 
advancing the permitting process. 

  Further information on page 50.

Exploration

Active exploration programme internationally and in 
Chile. Continue to advance a portfolio of early-stage 
exploration activities. 

  Further information on pages 50 and 51.

Energy

The Group has a number of investments in 
energy assets in Chile, with particular focus 
on renewable energy. 

  Further information on page 51.

Transport

The transport division operates the main 
cargo transport system in the Antofagasta 
Region of Chile, moving goods and materials 
such as sulphuric acid and copper cathodes 
to and from mines by road and on its 
900 km rail network. 

  Further information on page 52.

Volume transported

(’000 tonnes)

Combined rail and road

2015
6,805

Antofagasta plc  03

OVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONPerformance highlights

Throughout this period of lower copper prices Antofagasta 
has had a rigorous approach to cost control at the operations 
and at the corporate office, achieving operating cost savings 
of $245 million in 2015. Good-quality assets and tight capital 
discipline mean the Group can weather the current downturn 
and maintain a competitive position in this challenging 
environment and when the copper cycle begins to recover, 
the Group will enjoy healthy margin growth.

  Further information on pages 30 and 31.

$3,394.6m

A Mining
1 Los Pelambres
2 Centinela
3 Michilla
B Transport

3,242.2
1,807.2
1,266.1
168.9
152.4

Revenue by division1

B

A

1

3

2

EBITDA by division1

$890.7m

A Mining
B Transport

832.3
58.4

B

A

18.7bn tonnes

(including ore reserves) 

Mineral resources increased 
mainly due to acquisition of 
Zaldívar and increase in resources 
at Los Volcanes during the year.

Mineral resources2

A Los Pelambres 
6,104 Mt @ 
0.51% Cu

G Encuentro  
1,212 Mt @ 
0.42% Cu

Mineral resources by 
operation and deposit2

7
.
8
1

9
.
7
1

2
.
6
1

2
.
5
1

7
.
3
1

11

12

13

14

15

B Centinela 

3,553 Mt @ 
0.39% Cu

C Twin Metals 
2,372 Mt @ 
0.45% Cu

D Los Volcanes 
1,904 Mt @ 
0.50% Cu

E  Polo Sur  

1,544 Mt @ 
0.34% Cu

F  Antucoya 
1,255 Mt @ 
0.31% Cu

H Zaldívar 

582 Mt @  
0.53% Cu

I  Penancho 
Blanco 
293 Mt @  
0.41% Cu

J  Michilla  
60 Mt @  
1.64% Cu

K Mirador 
51 Mt @  
0.34% Cu

L  Llano-

Paleocanal  
46 Mt @  
0.50% Cu

G

H

A

J-L

F

E

D

B

C

1 From continuing operations.
2  Mineral resources relating to the Group’s subsidiaries on a 100% basis, and Zaldívar on a 50% basis.

04  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Letter from the Chairman
Jean-Paul Luksic

We took a cautious approach  
to developing our business 
at the peak of the market. 

Dear Shareholders,

There is no doubt that 2015 has been 
a difficult year, and one in which the 
challenges facing our industry have been 
brought into sharp focus. Continued falls 
in commodity prices have highlighted the 
worst effects of more than a decade of 
bullish markets, a time when the industry 
appeared to have forgotten that the mining 
business is cyclical and cost control came 
a distant second to production growth. 
This over-exuberance led to over-investment 
in new mining capacity across the globe 
and a resultant decline in productivity. 
Industry lead times have meant that just 
as global demand growth slowed, much 
of this new production came online at what 
are now unsustainable costs. Now is the 
time to remove the consequences of 
these excesses.

Against this backdrop it has not been 
‘business as usual’ for Antofagasta this 
year. Alongside our peers we have suffered 
from the worsening macro-environment 
and deteriorating market conditions. 
The commissioning of Antucoya took 
longer than planned despite the project’s 
construction cost being on budget. At an 
operational level, heavy rains early in the 
year led to delays in the commissioning 
of our expansion of Centinela, while 
community action at the Los Pelambres 
mine saw interruptions to production. 
As a result our production performance for 
2015 fell short of our original expectations.

We took a cautious approach to developing 
our business at the peak of the market, and 
as a result we entered the current downturn 
with a strong balance sheet. As we continue 
to respond to low commodity prices, we 
are taking the steps needed to ensure our 
continued financial resilience in the future 
by working hard and focusing our efforts on 
being disciplined in our allocation of capital, 
reducing costs, improving operational 
efficiencies and lowering our overheads. 
We remain focused on cash flow generation 
and margin improvements through 
sustainable cost reductions and productivity 
improvements that help compensate the 
impact of lower commodity prices.

Managing these challenges is important, 
but I believe that every downturn also offers 
opportunities and during 2015 Antofagasta 
acquired a 50% stake in the high-quality 
Zaldívar copper mine in northern Chile with 
minimal impact to the balance sheet as 
it followed the sale of our water division. 
The acquisition was carefully considered and 
represents a rare opportunity to advance our 
long-term objectives, building on our existing 
portfolio of operations.

Antofagasta has weathered another difficult 
year, but remains on a solid and sustainable 
footing for the long term.

Chile – finding solutions together

Mining is an important part of Chile’s 
economy, contributing 11.2% to its GDP in 
2014. With our history in the country, and 
our status as the largest non-state mining 
Group, Antofagasta is well positioned 
to help realise the full potential of the 
country’s world-class copper resources. 
We believe that Chile’s political and fiscal 
stability, and its skilled mining workforce 
make it an attractive place for our capital, 
as demonstrated by our investments 
in Zaldívar and Antucoya.

Antofagasta plc  05

OVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONLetter from the Chairman

Our approach to allocating 
capital with an appropriate 
balance between investment, 
growth and dividends has 
allowed the Company to retain 
a strong position and our 
financial strength gave us the 
capacity to take advantage of 
opportunities over the year. 

The sale of the ADASA water business 
effectively funded our acquisition from 
Barrick Gold in December of a 50% stake in 
the Zaldívar copper mine. We take a rigorous 
approach to acquisitions, and over the last 
three years the team screened 20–30 
potential projects with only Zaldívar meeting 
our long-term objectives and passing our 
hurdle rates for this type of investment.

The closing of an extraordinary  
mine – Michilla

The year saw the closure of the Group’s very 
first mine, Michilla, after 50 years of copper 
production. Michilla played a very important 
role in Antofagasta’s history and in my 
personal life. When I was 18 years old I did 
a summer internship at Michilla as a rock 
drill operator’s assistant in the underground 
mine. This was my first job and it was 
hard, but one I will never forget as I learned 
valuable life experiences. For me and many 
others, not only just in the Group, but in 
the Chilean mining industry as a whole, 
Michilla has been a great school for learning 
about mining. With both oxide and sulphide 
deposits, and underground and open pit 
operations, Michilla was a microcosm 
of the country’s copper mining industry.

For those who have worked at this mine, 
I would like to say thank you. To the 
communities, suppliers and our other 
partners over the past half century as well 
as the local, national and federal authorities, 
thank you as well for being part of the spirit 
of Michilla.

The impact of lower commodity prices on 
jobs and revenue generated by the mining 
sector to Chile is substantial, and to ensure 
the long-term sustainability of mining, 
the response must be a collective one – 
companies, employees, communities and 
government must unite to find solutions to 
complex problems. We must co-operate 
to reverse the decline in productivity and 
continue to work with our communities to 
reduce our social and environmental impact. 
Only by doing this can we ensure our 
industry has a long-term future in Chile.

Managing current challenges

Early in 2015 we were faced with 
disruptions at our Los Pelambres operations 
as a result of a blockade by the local 
community, who were protesting about the 
perceived impact of the mining operations 
on the local water supply. We realised that 
we must change the way that we engage 
with our communities in order to strengthen 
our relationships and find solutions that 
work for all sides. We are only at the 
beginning of this journey but I am confident 
that the actions we have taken over the 
course of 2015 have taken the depth of our 
engagement with the local communities to 
a new level and will provide us with a strong 
foundation for the future.

Turning to our financials, while lower metal 
prices impacted revenue and profit, we 
remained focused on maintaining a strong 
balance sheet, improving operational 
efficiencies and managing costs all with 
a keen focus on cash flow and margins. 
Our approach to allocating capital with an 
appropriate balance between investment, 
growth and dividends has allowed the 
Company to retain a strong position and 
our financial strength gave us the capacity 
to take advantage of opportunities over 
the year.

06  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

It is vital that we continue 
to focus on improving our 
operational performance 
and our ability to deliver 
on our commitments. 

Safety

Outlook

The year 2015 was a time for managing 
the challenges that faced Antofagasta and 
the wider industry as a whole in what has 
been another year of brutal markets and 
operating conditions. But, as was the case 
with Zaldívar, this has also been a time for 
taking advantage of opportunities when 
they appear.

As we look forward to 2016 we are 
under no illusion that the macroeconomic 
environment will improve in the near term. 
We are expecting another year of low 
copper prices. Consequently, it is vital that 
we continue to focus on improving our 
operational performance and our ability 
to deliver on our commitments.

We will not be afraid to make difficult 
decisions. Our internal business functions 
have been strengthened, our costs reduced, 
our balance sheet strength maintained 
and, operationally, in the final quarter we 
have seen a good end to the year. All of 
this leaves us well placed to weather the 
current downturn. 

As a final note, I would like to thank all 
of our employees and management for 
all of their hard work over the last year and 
I look forward to the year ahead.

The safety of our employees, communities 
and operations always comes first in 
everything that we do and we continue 
to work hard to achieve our target of zero 
fatalities. However, I am saddened to report 
that during the course of 2015 Antofagasta 
had one fatality, and I would like to express 
on my own behalf – as well as that of the 
Board – my sincere condolences to the 
family of our colleague.

Governance and the Board

Over the course of the year we undertook 
a number of changes to the Board to 
enhance our corporate governance. 
The introduction of a new Projects 
Committee will allow greater Board 
oversight of Antofagasta’s major projects. 
The development of new projects is 
critical to the future of the Company and 
this Committee will allow more detailed 
scrutiny of our projects than is possible at 
full Board meetings. All matters that are 
brought to the Board for approval will first 
be reviewed by the Committee to highlight 
matters for the Board’s consideration 
and to make recommendations to the 
Board. This Committee is already making 
an important contribution to providing 
Board-level input into the advancement 
of our projects.

I would also like to take this opportunity 
to thank Miguel Sepulveda for his 29 years 
of service at Antofagasta, the last 22 years 
of which have been as General Manager for 
our railways business, the historical heart of 
the Group. Miguel stepped down in October 
and I thank him for his service and loyalty to 
Antofagasta and wish him the very best for 
his retirement.

Antofagasta plc  07

OVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONStatement from the CEO 
Diego Hernández

We have made several 
structural changes during 
the year including starting 
up our new Antucoya mine, 
selling our water division, 
purchasing a 50% interest 
in the Zaldívar copper mine 
and closing Michilla.

We are in the sixth year of the downturn 
in the copper market. While I entered 2015 
with a degree of optimism that the year 
would see the low of the cycle, continued 
deterioration in the macro-environment has 
instead created further downward pressure 
on prices. However, we have used 2015 
to reset our costs back to levels that we 
have not seen for some time. We have 
made significant progress in this respect 
and I believe we will be able to reduce our 
costs further in the coming year. We are 
extending our cost reduction programmes 
which, together with the smooth start-up 
and integration of Antucoya and Zaldívar, will 
be an important focus of 2016 and beyond.

With our healthy balance sheet and low 
cost operations we are in a good position 
to weather the current market conditions. 
While we cut costs and free-up cash flow 
we are also in a position to consider taking 
advantage of any acquisition opportunities 
that arise, although we would only do so if 
we felt confident in our continued financial 
condition. We know that copper is a cyclical 
industry and as a result of the actions that 
we have taken over the past year we will 
be better positioned to benefit from the 
recovery when it comes.

Safety and health

We sadly had a fatality in 2015 as a result 
of a rockfall in our underground mine at 
Michilla. This is a great tragedy, especially 
as the mine was in its last few months of 
operation. I offer my sincerest condolences, 
together with all those of the senior 
management team, to Sergio Bruna’s 
family. It is not acceptable that we still have 
fatalities and we are determined to achieve 
our target of zero fatalities.

We have introduced a new safety 
management system based on 
risk prevention that has shown real 
improvements in safety awareness by 
employees and contractors. In 2015, there 
was a significant increase in the reporting 
of high-potential near misses, which is a 
fundamental preventative measure and is 
improving our understanding of the key 
risk areas.

Our executive team visit each of the Group’s 
mining operations periodically as part of 
a special safety leadership programme, 
demonstrating the importance of safety 
and empowering everyone to ensure safety 
comes first in everything we do.

2015 business performance

The focus of the year has been on 
optimising our operations to ensure 
we remain competitive in a low-price 
environment. We have also made several 
structural changes during the year as we 
strengthen our position as a focused copper 
miner. Major highlights include the start of 
production at our new Antucoya mine, the 
sale of our water division and the purchase 
of a 50% interest in the Zaldívar copper 
mine from Barrick Gold. At the same time 
we also took the decision to close the 
Michilla mine, which after a long history 
as part of the Group has come to the end 
of its economic life. These changes have 
meant that we have tightened the mining 
focus of the Group and increased our 
production capacity.

Against the backdrop of a weak macro- 
environment, prices fell for all our products. 
Our average realised copper price was 
24% lower than in 2014 and gold and 
molybdenum were down 8% and 
49% respectively.

08  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Areas of focus

1
Position

2
Optimise

3
Discipline

The Group’s position in a 
challenging environment

• Strong balance sheet
• Competitive operating cost position
• Re-setting community engagement
• Preserving growth projects 

Optimise our portfolio

• Sale of water division
• Bring Antucoya to full production
• Purchase of TMM and stake 

in Zaldívar

• Closure of Michilla 

Maintain our discipline 
and flexibility 

• Cost control without increasing risk
• Reduce development capital 

expenditure without compromising 
future growth 

Copper production was down by 74,500 
tonnes to 630,300 tonnes, with lower 
throughput at Los Pelambres as we mined 
harder ore, and a significant fall in grade at 
Centinela. This, together with delays to the 
start of the commissioning of Antucoya and 
the expansion of Centinela Concentrates, 
the closure of the Michilla mine, heavy rains 
at Centinela and protests at Los Pelambres, 
all had an impact in lowering production 
compared to 2014. The lower prices and 
lower production led to Group revenues 
falling by 34% to $3.4 billion compared with 
2014 and EBITDA decreasing by 58% to 
$891 million, some $1.25 billion lower than 
last year. 

Despite the significant fall in production, 
cash costs before by-product credits for 
the year fell by 1.1% to $1.81/lb. A weaker 
Chilean peso against the US dollar (net of 
inflation) reduced costs by 6c/lb, and falls 
in the oil price, together with lower power 
costs at Los Pelambres and other lower 
consumables’ prices, reduced costs by a 
further 9c/lb. Net cash costs were further 
impacted by weak by-product prices and 
lower gold production, and increased by 
4.9% to $1.50/lb compared with 2014. 
Offsetting the savings was an increase 
of 18c/lb arising from the lower production 
during the year.

The sale of the water division for 
$963 million in June generated a profit 
of $616 million, which has been recorded 
as a profit from discontinued operations. 
Excluding this amount, net earnings from 
continuing operations for the year were 
$5.5 million or 0.6 cents per share, a 98.7% 
decrease from 2014. Net earnings including 
discontinued operations increased by 
32.2% to $608.2 million.

The total dividend for the year is 3.1 cents 
per share, or $30.6 million, which was paid 
as the interim dividend, and as a result 
exceeds the minimum payout ratio set 
in the Group’s dividend policy. No final 
dividend has been recommended by 
the Board.

Total operating costs in the mining division 
were reduced by some $245 million, 
or 8%, during the year. Our Cost and 
Competitiveness Programme achieved 
$150 million of mine site savings, or 11c/lb, 
and approximately another $95 million was 
saved through reductions in exploration 
and evaluation, and corporate costs. 
The cost reductions we achieved followed 
an intense review of our cost structures 
and productivity. 

Antofagasta plc  09

OVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONStatement from the CEO

This involved overhauling how we 
structured our service contracts, increasing 
operational efficiencies, extracting further 
synergies from the Centinela merger, and 
reducing employee numbers. Looking  
forward to 2016, we expect to make further 
mine site cost reductions of $160 million.

Zaldívar acquisition

Towards the end of the year, we acquired 
a 50% interest in the Zaldívar copper mine 
and took over as operators. The opportunity 
to purchase an interest in a mine of this 
quality rarely occurs and it is a reflection 
of the state of the market that it was 
offered for sale. The acquisition was 
keenly contested as copper remains 
widely regarded as one of the metals 
with the best outlook in the medium and 
long term. The acquisition was carefully 
considered and represented a unique 
opportunity to advance the Group’s long-
term objectives, building on its existing 
portfolio of operations.

We have taken over as operators of the 
mine, which is expected to achieve savings 
of some $15–20 million from synergies 
with our existing corporate functions and 
a programme of cost reductions during the 
year. We expect our attributable production 
in 2016 to be 50–55,000 tonnes of copper 
and then to rise as mining moves into 
higher grade areas of the pit. The Group 
is also investigating increasing leach 
recoveries at the operation.

Managing our position through 
the downturn

Over the course of 2015, we have prepared 
for a period of prolonged weak markets 
and have contingency plans should prices 
deteriorate further. Beyond the actions 
I have mentioned regarding reducing 
operating costs, we are also taking steps 
to improve our free cash flow through a 
tighter control of inventory and a reduction 
in both development and sustaining capital 
expenditure. No expenditure is made 
without careful consideration.

Total capital expenditure in 2015 was 
approximately $1.05 billion and in 2016 
is expected to drop slightly to some 
$1.0 billion including mine development, 
which increases by some $200 million. 

We currently have two development 
projects underway, Encuentro Oxides and 
the new molybdenum plant at Centinela. 
Both of these projects were started in 
early 2015 and were scheduled to be 
completed by the end of 2016 and early 
2017, respectively. Although stopping 
these projects would be disproportionately 
expensive considering their state of 
advancement, their development is now 
being slowed with no impact on their 
net present value and will now not be 
completed until the second half of 2017. 
This will help preserve cash in 2016 and, 
once these projects are commissioned, we 
will not need to commit to any new projects 
until the market outlook improves.

Future growth

The next stage of growth will come from 
our Los Pelambres Incremental Expansion 
project and building a second concentrator 
at Centinela, which will add up to 200,000 
tonnes of annual copper production. 
Both of these projects completed their pre-
feasibility studies in 2015 and are currently 
at the feasibility study stage. These studies 
are being undertaken at minimum cost 
and can be accelerated if conditions 
improve, but are currently not planned 
to be completed before late 2017.

The development of the Los Pelambres 
Incremental Expansion will be split into two 
phases. The first will maximise throughput 
under the mine’s existing environmental 
and water permits. The second will 
increase throughput to 205,000 tonnes per 
day. This phasing will simplify the permit 
application process and spread the costs 
of the expansion over a longer period.

At Centinela the Environmental Impact 
Assessment for the second concentrator 
was submitted in May and is expected to 
be approved in 2016. The feasibility study is 
underway and will focus on the first phase 
of expansion to add some 140,000 tonnes 
of copper, 150,000 ounces of gold and 
3,000 tonnes of molybdenum annually.

Sustainability

In 2014, we announced that we had 
secured several new Power Purchase 
Agreements at Los Pelambres which will 
mean that by 2019 some 80% of energy 
used at the mine will come from renewable 
sources. This is a major step forward that 
will limit our impact on the environment 
and also help us to manage our costs. 

In 2014, the El Arrayán wind farm was 
commissioned, followed by the Javiera 
solar plant last year and then the Conejo 
solar plant this year, which in total will 
provide Los Pelambres with 90MW 
of power.

During 2015, at Los Pelambres we made 
considerable progress in informing our 
local communities about our use of water 
and the impact of the Mauro tailings dam. 
We have engaged in a consultation process 
with all of the affected communities in 
a variety of different forums. 

Through these forums we are working 
together to identify future water supply 
solutions and to agree compensation 
for the impact of the Mauro dam on 
those who live nearest to it in Caimanes. 
Considerable progress has been made and 
we expect that 2016 will see agreement 
on lasting solutions for those affected. 

This is part of our ongoing commitment 
to ensure that the impact we have on the 
communities and environments in which 
we work is limited as much as possible.

Outlook

In 2016, we expect to produce 710–740,000 
tonnes of copper, 245–275,000 ounces of 
gold and 8–9,000 tonnes of molybdenum, 
as Antucoya ramps up to full production 
and Zaldívar contributes its first full year of 
production. If we achieve the top end of our 
copper target we will have had our highest 
year of production ever and we expect 
this, together with savings and productivity 
programmes, will see our cash costs before 
by-products fall to 2012 levels of $1.65/lb 
and our net cash costs to $1.35/lb.

World markets at the beginning of 2016 
have been dominated by uncertainty 
and negative sentiment even though the 
fundamentals are little changed. This has 
not been good for the mining industry and 
the copper price dropped below $2.00/lb 
in January. However, if the fundamentals 
prevail as we expect, the price should 
stabilise during a period of small supply 
surpluses before recovering in late 2017, 
early 2018. These years are going to be 
difficult for both Antofagasta and the wider 
industry and will require perseverance and 
discipline. We will continue to work hard to 
protect our margins and manage our cash 
flow, while remaining open to opportunities 
in the market. The actions that we are 
taking now will allow us to emerge from 
this downturn in a stronger position than 
we entered it.

10  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Strategic report

Business model

  Creating value through the mining lifecycle

  Key inputs and cost base

  Key relationships

The marketplace

Strategy for the mining business

Key performance indicators

Risk management

  Long-term viability statement

Operational review

Mining division

  The existing core business

  Growth projects and opportunities

Transport

Managing a sustainable business

Financial review 

Results

Revenue

Cash flows

Financial position

Cautionary statement about  
forward-looking statements

12

12

19

22

25

28

30

32

38

39

40

48

52

53

64

65

67

68

68

Antofagasta plc  11

STRATEGIC REPORTSTRATEGIC REPORTOVERVIEWGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONBusiness model

Creating value through 
the mining lifecycle

Investment versus income

Mining is a long-term business and timescales can run into 
decades. The period from initial exploration to the start of 
production often exceeds ten years and then, depending 
on the nature of the project and market conditions, it may 
take more than five years of operation to recoup the initial 
investment. If possible, mines usually plan to exploit higher-
grade areas towards the start of the mine life in order to 
maximise returns from the operation. As a result, average 
ore grades may decline over time, with production volumes 
decreasing along with revenues. 

1. Inputs

2. Exploration

3. Evaluation

4. Construction

Resources
Relationships

Chile
International

Encuentro Oxides
Centinela 
Molybdenum Plant

Los Pelambres 
Incremental 
Expansion
Centinela Second 
Concentrator
Twin Metals

  Further information  
on page 14.

  Further information 
on page 14.

  Further information 
on page 15.

  Further information 
on page 15.

Income

Investment

3–5 YEARS

5 YEARS

3–5 YEARS

Innovative sustainability

Sustainable development is an integral and innovative 
component of Antofagasta’s decision-making process, 
firmly embedded in the business model and strategy of the 
Group. Antofagasta is committed to operational excellence, 
safety, talent management, environmental management 
and co-operation with employees and local communities. 

12  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Revenues, however, depend on commodity prices. These tend to be cyclical, 
so even as production volumes decline revenues can increase, and vice 
versa. Long-life and low-cost operations increase the chances of a mine 
benefiting from the peaks in the commodity price cycle while withstanding 
the troughs. Also, during the life of a mine there will often be expansions 
that help it to keep down its unit costs of production – the most important 
financial KPI on a mine.

Core operations

5. Extraction

6. Processing

7. Marketing

8. Restoration

9. Outputs

Los Pelambres 
Centinela
Antucoya
Zaldívar

Ongoing value chain

The copper and 
by‑products from the 
Group’s mines go on 
to be further processed 
for use in end markets, 
including property, 
power, electronics, 
transport and 
consumer products.

  Further information 
on pages 16 and 17.

  Further information 
on pages 16 and 17.

  Further information 
on pages 16 and 17.

  Further information 
on page 18.

  Further information 
on page 18.

+20 YEARS

Income

Investment

Sustainability drives business success and without it the Group 
would not operate as efficiently as it does.

For more information on the Group’s commitment to sustainability see pages 53 to 63.

Antofagasta plc  13

STRATEGIC REPORTSTRATEGIC REPORTOVERVIEWGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONBusiness model 
Creating value through the mining lifecycle

1. Inputs

Balanced 
inputs

2. Exploration

Growing 
resources

The Group’s mining operations depend on a range of key inputs, such as energy, 
water, labour and fuel. The management of these inputs has a significant impact 
on operating costs, so ensuring the long-term availability of key resources is a vital 
part of supply management.

Resources
• Labour
• Financial capital 
• Mineral resource-rich land

Relationships with
• Employees and contractors
• Customers
• Suppliers

• Energy
• Water
• Reagents

• Plant and equipment
• Services and supplies
• Fuel

• Neighbouring communities
• Environment

• Government and 
public authorities

• Infrastructure providers 

  More on key inputs and  
cost base on pages 19 to 21.

To secure the future of the business in the long 
term, the Group must grow its mineral resource 
base. It undertakes in-house exploration activities 
in Chile. Exploration programmes further afield are 
carried out in partnership with other companies 
in order to benefit from their local knowledge 
and experience.

Exploration programmes 
throughout Chile

  More on pages 50 and 51.

Earn-in agreements in 
North America, Latin 
America, Europe, Africa 
and Australia

  More on pages 50 and 51.

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Increased mineral 
resources by 831.3 
million tonnes in 2015 
at Los Volcanes and  
Polo Sur deposits.

14  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

 
 
 
INPUTS

EXPLORATION

EVALUATION

CONSTRUCTION

EXTRACTION

PROCESSING

MARKETING

RESTORATION

OUTPUTS

3. Evaluation

Maximising 
value

Effective project evaluation and design is critical 
to maximise value at this stage of the mining cycle. 
The Group’s wealth of experience in both areas 
helps to make the best use of mineral deposits.

Los Pelambres  
Incremental Expansion

 More on page 49.

The Group integrates sustainability criteria into design 
processes and project evaluation, developing innovative 
solutions for challenges such as water, energy and 
community relations.

Centinela Second 
Concentrator

 More on pages 49 and 50.

Twin Metals

 More on page 50.

4. Construction

Risk sharing
Efficient  
construction  
and cost control

Once a project has been approved by the Board, 
construction begins. This stage requires significant 
input of capital and resources, and effective 
project management and cost control are key 
to maximising a project’s return on investment.

The Group has a co-operative approach to developing 
projects. Typically, after the feasibility stage, and into 
the construction phase, the Group seeks a partner 
for projects, diversifying risk and providing a broader 
access to funding.

Centinela 

  More on page 48.

Encuentro Oxides

  More on page 48. 

Molybdenum Plant 

  More on page 48.

E
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–
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Antofagasta plc  15

STRATEGIC REPORTSTRATEGIC REPORTOVERVIEWGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATION 
 
 
 
 
 
Business model 
Creating value through the mining lifecycle

5. Extraction

Operating 
efficiency

6. Processing

Quality  
output

7. Marketing

Long-term  
relationships

The Group’s four operations in Chile are: Los Pelambres, Centinela, 
Antucoya and Zaldívar. 

The world-class Los Pelambres and Centinela districts have long-life operations 
with large mineral resources and produce significant by-products: gold, silver 
and molybdenum. Within these operations are four open pit mines. In 2015, the 
Group completed the construction of Antucoya, the only new mine opened in 
Chile during the year. 

In December 2015, the Group acquired a 50% interest in the Zaldívar copper 
mine and became the operator. 

Safety and health are key elements of operational efficiency and remain a top 
priority for the Board and management team.

The Group mines both copper sulphide and copper oxide ores which 
require different processing routes:

•  Los Pelambres and Centinela Concentrates  

Mined sulphide ore is milled to reduce its size before passing to flotation 
cells where it is upgraded to a concentrate containing some 25-35% copper. 
This concentrate is then shipped to a smelter operated by a third party and 
converted to copper metal. 

•  Centinela Cathodes, Antucoya and Zaldívar  

Mined oxide ore, combined with leachable sulphide or at Zaldívar, is crushed, 
piled into heaps and then leached with sulphuric acid, producing a copper 
sulphate solution. This solution is then put through a solvent extraction and 
electrowinning (“SX-EW”) plant to produce copper cathodes, which are sold 
to fabricators around the world.

The marketing team builds long-term relationships with smelters and 
fabricators who purchase the Group’s products, with approximately 76% 
of output going to Asian markets.

As well as copper, a number of the Group’s mines produce significant volumes 
of metal by-products: gold, molybdenum and silver.

Gold is sold for use in industrial and electronic applications and in jewellery 
making. Molybdenum is used in industrial applications, mainly in steel alloys. 
Silver is used for electrical and electronic applications and for jewellery.

Most copper and molybdenum sales are made under annual contracts or 
longer-term framework agreements, with sales volumes agreed each year, 
which guarantees offtake. 

For more information on the structure of the Group’s sales contracts,  
please see page 22.

16  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

O
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O
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INPUTS

EXPLORATION

EVALUATION

CONSTRUCTION

EXTRACTION

PROCESSING

MARKETING

RESTORATION

OUTPUTS

Los Pelambres 

 More on pages 40 to 42.

Start of operation: 2000 
Estimated output in 2016: 

355–365,000 tonnes

Centinela Concentrates
 More on pages 43 and 44.

Start of operation: 2011 
Estimated output in 2016: 

175–185,000 tonnes

Centinela Cathodes 

  More on pages 43 and 44.

Start of operation: 2001 
Estimated output in 2016: 

60–65,000 tonnes

Antucoya

  More on page 46.

Start of operation: 2015 
Estimated output in 2016: 

65–70,000 tonnes

Zaldívar

  More on page 47.

Start of operation: 1995 
Estimated output in 2016 (50%): 

50–55,000 tonnes

Oxide Ore

Sulphide Ore

Heap-leaching 
and SX-EW

Concentrator

Cathodes

Concentrates

Antofagasta plc  17

STRATEGIC REPORTSTRATEGIC REPORTOVERVIEWGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONBusiness model 
Creating value through the mining lifecycle

8. Restoration

Managing  
our impact

During the operation of a mine, its impact on the 
environment and the neighbouring communities 
is carefully managed. At the end of its life, a mine 
must be closed and the surrounding habitats 
restored to their original state. 

A closure plan for each mine is maintained and updated 
throughout its life to ensure compliance with the latest 
regulations and sustainable closure.

  More on Managing a sustainable 
business on pages 53 to 63.

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9. Outputs

Economic  
and social  
value

The Group’s mining operations create significant 
economic and social value for a wide range of 
stakeholders – local communities benefit from 
job creation and improved infrastructure, while 
the Chilean government and local municipalities 
receive tax payments and royalties. There are also 
benefits to society in general – the copper the 
Group produces is used in a wide range of sectors, 
from industrial to medical. 

Sustainable development 
is an essential component 
of the Group’s decision-
making process and 
business model.

Outputs
• Copper

• By-products: gold, molybdenum and silver

Outcomes
• Financial (reinvested profits, dividends 
to shareholders, taxes to government)

• Improved local infrastructure

• Impact on environment (minimised as 

far as possible, see page 55)

• Social and economic benefit to local 
communities (jobs and opportunities 
for partnerships with local business)

• Benefit to wider society and industry 

(products used in a wide range of sectors)

  More on KPIs on pages 30 and 31.

18  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

 
 
 
INPUTS

EXPLORATION

EVALUATION

CONSTRUCTION

EXTRACTION

PROCESSING

MARKETING

RESTORATION

OUTPUTS

Key inputs and cost base
The Group’s mining operations depend on key inputs, such as 
energy, water, labour and fuel. For cathode producers such as 
Centinela, Antucoya and Zaldívar, which use the SX-EW process, 
sulphuric acid is also a key input. The availability and cost of 
such inputs lie at the heart of the Group’s cost management 
strategy, which focuses on cost control and security of supply.

Chilean central and northern grid spot energy prices

$/MWh

250

200

150

100

50

0

H1 2014
Average $155

H1 2015
Average $133

H2 2014
Average $107

H1 2014
Average $88

H2 2014
Average $63

H1 2015
Average $54

H2 2015
Average $58

H2 2015
Average $48

Dec 2013

Jun 2014

Dec 2014

Jun 2015

Dec 2015

Central grid (”SIC”)

Northern grid (”SING”)

Source: SIC and SING

Exchange rate

Ch$/$

450

500

550

600

650

700

750

H1 2014
Average 553

H2 2014
Average 587

H1 2015
Average 621

H2 2015
Average 687

Dec 2013

Jun 2014

Dec 2014

Jun 2015

Dec 2015

The Group’s two largest operations, 
Los Pelambres and Centinela, are 
competitively positioned on the copper 
industry cost curve. This reflects low 
operating costs and significant by-product 
credits. The Group cash cost guidance for 
2016, before by-product credits, is $1.65/lb, 
some 9% lower than achieved in 2015. 
The initiatives below, implemented by the 
Group’s procurement department contribute 
to the reductions required to lower unit 
costs, even while mine grades are declining.

Cost and Competitiveness Programme

The Group introduced the Cost and 
Competitive Programme in 2014, with 
the aim of reducing the cost base and 
improving the Group’s competitiveness 
within the industry. 

During 2015, the Group continued to focus 
on reducing its operating costs through 
its integrated Cost and Competitiveness 
Programme. The Group achieved cost savings 
of approximately $150 million. The target for 
2016 is set at an incremental $160 million. 

The programme focuses on four areas:

Services productivity: Improving 
productivity and quality of contracts 
while reducing costs

Actions:

•  Negotiated corporate level agreements 
and associated price reductions for 
key consumables such as tyres, fuel, 
lubricants, grinding media, mining 
equipment and spare parts as well 
as solvents and reagents

•   Undertook rationalisation and negotiation 

of smaller contracts

• Implemented a new contractor 

management system to measure 
contractors’ efficiency in 
providing services

Antofagasta plc  19

STRATEGIC REPORTSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWBusiness model 
Key inputs and cost base

During the year, the Group was 
able to save over $150 million 
due to the implementation of 
the Cost and Competitiveness 
Programme.

The Group endeavours to procure medium 
and long-term electricity contracts at each 
mine. The cost, in most cases, is linked 
to the current cost of electricity on the 
Chilean grids or the generation costs of 
a particular supplier, with the latter subject 
to adjustments for inflation and each 
generator’s fuel input prices.

In 2012, Los Pelambres was facing an 
energy market with scarce availability of 
long-term PPAs indexed to more stable 
fuel input prices, leaving it exposed to spot 
energy prices. To mitigate this exposure, 
the Group has taken certain actions to 
improve Los Pelambres’ security of supply, 
investing in Chile’s largest wind-power plant, 
El Arrayán, which now provides some 20% 
of Los Pelambres’ energy requirements. 
Los Pelambres has also signed long-term 
PPAs with two solar power providers for 
a total of 50MW of power and a short-term 
PPA for another 50MW. One solar PPA 
commenced in 2015 and the second will 
commence in mid-2016. During 2015, 
Los Pelambres also started to receive power 
under a long-term PPA from a coal-fired 
power plant. These PPAs, together with 
one signed in 2013 as part of the Group’s 
investment in Alto Maipo, will provide all 
of Los Pelambres’ energy requirements 
at competitive and stable prices from 2019.

All Group operations located on the SING 
benefit from long-term contracts, mostly 
indexed to the price of coal. Zaldívar had 
an existing long-term PPA securing 100% 
of its power demand until 2020. 

 More on Energy on page 51.

Operational and maintenance 
management: Improving 
performance of critical processes and 
implementation of standard maintenance 
management practices

Actions:

•  Group-wide initiative to reduce 

consumption of items such as fuel, 
grinding media and energy

•  Developed maintenance schedules while 
optimising utilisation of critical equipment

Corporate and organisational 
effectiveness: Reducing costs 
and restructuring the Group’s 
organisational functions

Actions:

•  Conducted an organisational restructuring 
programme in October 2015, with further 
restructuring planned for 2016 

•  Reduction in corporate costs such as 

consultancy and travel 

Energy efficiency: Optimising energy 
efficiencies, while achieving lower contract 
prices for energy

Actions:

•  Signed long-term PPAs with two solar 
power providers for a total of 50MW 
of power, one of the PPAs commenced 
during 2015 and the second PPA is due 
to commence in mid-2016 

•  Reviewed abatement cost curves of 

each mine and defined specific energy-
efficiency projects for each operation

Energy

The Group sources its energy from the two 
electricity grids in Chile: the northern grid 
(“SING”) supplies the Centinela, Antucoya 
and Zaldívar mines, and the central grid 
(“SIC”) supplies Los Pelambres. In the 
SING, approximately 80% of the energy 
comes from coal-fired power stations and 
5% from wind and solar plants, with the 
remainder from LNG and diesel-powered 
plants. In the SIC, approximately 50% 
of the energy comes from hydroelectric 
plants, 5% from wind and solar generation, 
and the remainder is from coal, gas and 
diesel-fuelled plants. Due to the SIC’s 
reliance on hydroelectric power, the cost 
of energy fluctuates depending on the level 
of precipitation, whereas on the SING costs 
tend to be more stable.

20  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

INPUTS

EXPLORATION

EVALUATION

CONSTRUCTION

EXTRACTION

PROCESSING

MARKETING

RESTORATION

OUTPUTS

Water

Water is a precious commodity in 
the regions where the Group’s mines 
operate, so the recycling of water is of 
great importance.

Water for each operation is sourced 
either from the sea or from surface and 
underground sources. Each operation has 
the necessary permits for the long-term 
supply of water at current production levels.

The Group optimises water efficiency 
by using desalinated sea water, reducing 
demand and encouraging recycling across 
the operations. Water reuse rates depend 
on a range of factors and the Group seeks 
to achieve between 70–85% depending 
on the characteristics of each operation.

The Group has pioneered the use 
of untreated sea water at its Chilean 
operations, with both Centinela and 
Antucoya using this process. In 2015, 
sea water accounted for 45.5% of total 
Group water use.

 More on Managing a sustainable business 
on pages 53 to 63.

Labour

Secure labour supply is key to the Group’s 
success. Labour agreements with unions 
are in place at all of the Group’s mining 
operations, generally covering periods of 
four years. In 2014, new labour agreements 
were negotiated at all operations, except 
Zaldívar, securing terms of employment for 
all employees until 2018 and at Zaldívar until 
2017. The Group continues to foster good 
working relationships with its employees 
and labour unions and to date there has 
been no industrial action.

Contractors make up approximately 72% 
of the total workforce across all Group 
operations. Labour negotiations for the 
contractors’ workforce are the responsibility 
of contractors. The Group maintains strong 
relations with all contractors to ensure 
operational continuity.

Sulphuric acid

The sulphuric acid market weakened during 
2015, mainly due to lower consumption 
in the fertiliser industry. In Chile, acid 
consumption at mine operations decreased 
as lower copper prices affected production, 
lowering the regional deficit and causing 
prices to drop by the end of the year.

The Group secures most of its sulphuric 
acid requirements for a year or longer at 
specified rates, normally agreed in the latter 
part of the previous year. Therefore, the 
decline in demand is likely to benefit the 
acid procurement programme in 2016.

Service contracts and key supplies

The Central Procurement Department is 
repositioning the Group as a single entity 
rather than several separate operations. 
Procurement policies and procedures 
have been standardised. A central group 
of subject matter experts now defines 
categories of products and services. 
There are new corporate level agreements 
with price reductions and discounts in 
high spend categories such as tyres, fuel, 
lubricants, pick-up trucks, explosives and 
blasting, grinding media, mining equipment 
and spare parts as well as solvents and 
reagents. This will save over $150 million 
over the coming five years. 

In 2015, the procurement team analysed 
the top 20 contractors across each operation 
in order to standardise procurement 
practices, re-scope major service contracts 
and seek price reductions with suppliers 
in exchange for centralised agreements. 
The Group continually reviews its 
procurement processes and existing 
agreements and has identified additional 
cost-saving opportunities to be taken in 
the coming years as part of the Cost and 
Competitiveness Programme.

In total, the Group has over 1,000 contracts 
for goods and services. All key contracts, 
such as for tyres, grinding media, mining 
and mobile equipment, chemicals, 
explosives, camp administration and 
maintenance, are under long-term 
agreements. Price adjustment formulas 
reflect current market downturns of key 
cost elements, such as steel, petrol, coal, 
etc. Contracts are normally between the 
operation and the supplier, but tender 
and negotiation processes are mostly 
co-ordinated or even led centrally by 
the Central Procurement Department 
to maximise leverage and benefits.

The Group’s corporate procurement team 
uses a variety of strategies, from full price 
competition, price auctions or sourcing in 
China, to working with strategic suppliers 
to reduce the costs to each party and 
achieve a sustainable, longer-term lower 
cost base for future growth. To foster this 
co-operative approach, the Group has 
engaged productivity experts to map the 
operations and understand value streams 
and opportunities for the Group to increase 
efficiency and reduce costs.

The Central Procurement Department 
continually seeks to increase productivity, 
optimise service contracts, reduce relevant 
supply costs and better manage inventory 
levels, as well as consolidating minor 
suppliers for non-critical goods and services. 

Over the last two years, the Group’s 
material stocks have been reduced by a 
third, equivalent to $75 million, without 
compromising service levels.

The Group has recently upgraded its financial 
and management systems implementing 
SAP, an enterprise resource planning system 
that centrally manages all stock codes, 
inventories and supply contracts. 

The procurement of supplies for the 
Zaldívar operation has been fully integrated 
into the Group´s centralised procurement 
system and will benefit from existing Group 
supply contracts.

Oil price

Fuel represents a small proportion of total 
costs and is used in trucks transporting ore 
and waste at the mine sites. Nevertheless, 
improving fuel efficiency is a priority, with 
the litres of fuel consumed per tonne of 
material extracted being a key measure. 
Fuel is supplied by Chile’s two largest 
suppliers to avoid sole supplier risk.

The oil price also affects the spot price 
of energy, shipping rates for supplies and 
products and the cost of items such as tyres 
and conveyor belts which contain oil-based 
products. The oil price fell by approximately 
30% during 2015 and this weakness has 
continued in early 2016. This will affect 
the Group’s costs, but the impact will not 
be significant.

Exchange rate

Costs are affected by the Chilean peso to 
US dollar exchange rate, as approximately 
35-40% of the mining division’s operating 
costs are in Chilean pesos. However, the 
exchange rate often acts as a natural hedge 
as over half of Chile’s foreign exchange 
is generated from copper sales and so 
movements in the copper price tend to 
affect the exchange rate. During 2015, the 
peso weakened by 14% from Ch$570/$1 
in 2014 to Ch$654/$1 in 2015. During  
the first two months of 2016, the peso 
averaged Ch$712/$1.

Antofagasta plc  21

STRATEGIC REPORTSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWBusiness model 

Key relationships
The Group cannot run its business in isolation. The business 
model is underpinned by a series of relationships with 
stakeholders at local, regional, national and international level, 
which contribute to the long-term success of the Group.

The Group forms long-term partnerships with some suppliers, 
while others are managed with a more short-term focus based 
on market competition.

Similarly, the Group’s molybdenum 
contracts are made under long-term 
framework agreements, with pricing 
usually based on Platts’ average prices.

Across the industry neither copper 
producers nor consumers tend to make 
annual commitments for 100% of their 
respective production or needs. Therefore, 
producers normally retain a portion to be 
sold on the spot market throughout the year.

The prices realised by the Group during 
a specific period will differ from the 
average market price for that period. This is 
because, in line with industry practice, sales 
agreements generally provide for provisional 
pricing at the time of shipment, with final 
pricing based on the average market 
price for the month in which settlement 
takes place.

For copper concentrate, sales remain 
open until settlement occurs, on average 
three to five months from the shipment 
date. Settlement for the gold and silver 
content in copper concentrate sales occurs 
approximately one month from shipment. 
Copper cathode sales remain open for 
an average of one month from shipment. 
Settlement for copper in concentrate sales 
is later than for copper cathode sales since 
further refinement of copper in concentrate 
is needed before sale. Molybdenum sales 
generally remain open for two or three 
months from shipment. 

Customers

Most of the copper and molybdenum sales 
are made under annual contracts or longer-
term framework agreements, with sales 
volumes agreed for the coming year.

The majority of sales are to industrial 
customers who refine or further process 
the copper – smelters, in the case of 
copper concentrate production, and 
copper fabricators in the case of cathode 
production. The Group’s marketing 
team builds long-term relationships with 
these core customers, while maintaining 
relationships with trading companies that 
participate in shorter-term sales.

Over 80% of the Group’s mining sales are 
under contracts of a year or longer and 
metals sales pricing is generally based 
on prevailing market prices. 

Structure of the Group’s sales contracts 

The Group’s sales contracts typically set 
out the annual volumes to be supplied and 
the main terms for the sale of each payable 
metal, with the pricing of the contained 
copper in line with LME prices. In the case 
of concentrate, a deduction is made from 
LME prices to reflect TC/RCs – the smelting 
and refining costs necessary to process 
the concentrate into copper cathodes. 
These TC/RCs are typically determined 
annually and in line with terms negotiated 
across the concentrate market.

A significant proportion of the Group’s 
copper cathode sales are made under 
annual contracts, priced in line with LME 
prices. In copper cathode transactions, 
a premium, or in some cases a discount, 
on the LME price is negotiated to reflect 
differences in quality, logistics and financing 
compared with the metal exchanges’ 
standard copper contract specifications.

22  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

The Group’s marketing 
team builds long-term 
relationships with core 
customers, while maintaining 
relationships with trading 
companies that participate 
in shorter-term sales.

INPUTS

EXPLORATION

EVALUATION

CONSTRUCTION

EXTRACTION

PROCESSING

MARKETING

RESTORATION

OUTPUTS

Relationships with trade unions are based 
on mutual respect and transparency. 
This helps the Group to retain employees 
and avoid labour disputes, contributing 
to greater productivity and business 
efficiency. During 2014, the Group renewed 
labour agreements at all of its then mining 
operations, except Zaldívar, ensuring stability 
until 2018.

The Group undertakes an annual survey 
to assess employee satisfaction. Based  
on the results, action is taken to improve 
the work environment.

 More on Employees on pages 61 to 63.

Contractors

The number of contractors working for 
Antofagasta varies according to business 
needs and the level of construction activity.

As at 31 December 2015, there were 
approximately 13,900 contractors working 
at the Group’s operations and projects. 
This was some 30% lower than the 
same time last year, principally due to 
the completion of construction of the 
Antucoya project. 

Contractors are vitally important to mining 
operations and the Group aims to build 
long-term relationships with contractor 
companies based on the highest standards. 
Safety and health targets are included in 
performance contracts and compliance 
with safety and human rights laws and 
labour regulations are assessed regularly 
by internal and external audits.

The minimum wage paid by Antofagasta 
Minerals to contractor employees is 
70% higher than that required by Chilean 
law, and contractor staff have access to 
the same facilities as the Group’s own 
employees at the mine camps.

Suppliers

Suppliers play a critical role in the Group’s 
ability to operate, supplying a large range of 
products and services from grinding media 
to catering at the mine sites. 

More information on key inputs is included 
on pages 19 to 21.

The Group currently conducts business 
with over 5,000 suppliers and is working 
with the top suppliers in each category 
to ensure the most cost-effective and 
efficient solutions are employed across 
all operations. The corporate procurement 
team has consolidated all procurement 
practices across the operations and 
projects. In addition, the team has reduced 
the number of suppliers to extract greater 
benefits from elected suppliers over a long 
period of time. The Group has identified 300 
categories across all its mining operations 
and construction projects and is negotiating 
with its suppliers on each of these. 
This strategic approach will allow the Group 
to extract greater benefits from its suppliers 
over a long period of time. For example, the 
Group may develop long-term partnerships 
with some suppliers, while others are 
managed with a more short-term focus 
based on market competition. 

The Group has an open-door policy that 
encourages suppliers to raise any issues 
or concerns. Suppliers are audited regularly 
to ensure compliance with the law and 
Company standards, particularly concerning 
safety and health and the environment. 

Given the sensitive market conditions for 
suppliers, emphasis has been placed on 
monitoring the suppliers’ financial health and 
ensuring bank guarantees are in place when 
deemed necessary.

Employees

The Group employs approximately 5,300 
people, who work alongside approximately 
13,900 contractors at its corporate offices, 
operations and projects. Mining is inherently 
risky and ensuring the safety and health of 
every employee is an absolute priority. It is 
an ethical obligation and is central to the 
Group’s strategic objectives.

The Group has created a variety of initiatives 
over the last few years to secure and 
develop talent. In particular, the Group 
seeks to attract young professionals into the 
mining industry and complement their work 
experience with workshops and seminars 
across different functional areas. 

Contractors are vitally 
important to mining operations 
and the Group aims to build 
long-term relationships with 
contractor companies based 
on the highest standards.

Antofagasta plc  23

STRATEGIC REPORTSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEW19,2001

The number of employees and contractors 
working across the Group’s operations.

Having clear social policies 
and regular contact with 
community members helps 
to manage potential conflicts 
and maintains the Group’s 
social licence to operate.

Business model 
Key relationships

Local communities

Other local stakeholders

It is crucial to have strong relationships built 
on trust and mutual understanding with 
local communities in the areas where the 
Group operates as it is not possible to run a 
mine successfully without their co-operation 
and agreement.

Having clear social policies and regular 
contact with community members helps 
to manage potential conflicts and maintains 
the Group’s social licence to operate. 
During 2014, Los Pelambres adopted 
a new approach to engagement with 
communities. The initiative is called “Somos 
Choapa” (We Are Choapa), the region in 
which Los Pelambres is located). In 2015, 
the Group signed a framework agreement 
with three municipalities under the Somos 
Choapas initiative, and has begun assessing 
a portfolio of projects for sustainable 
development in the region.

More information on this is provided  
on pages 59 and 60.

Positive relationships with all local 
stakeholders near the Group’s operations 
and projects are fundamental to the 
smooth operation of the business and 
its future growth.

All of the Group’s operations appoint a 
manager to oversee relationships with 
external stakeholders such as the local 
authorities, local media and others.

Government and public authorities

Political developments and changes 
to legislation or regulations can affect 
business, whether in Chile, the UK, or 
other countries where the Group has 
operations, development projects or 
exploration activities.

New and proposed legislation is monitored 
to enable the Group to anticipate, mitigate 
or reduce possible effects, and to ensure 
it complies with all legal and regulatory 
obligations. The Group works with industry 
bodies to engage with governments 
on public policy, laws, regulations and 
procedures that may affect its business, 
including such issues as climate change and 
energy security.

The Group assesses political risk as part of 
its evaluation of potential projects, including 
the nature of existing foreign investment 
agreements. It also monitors political, legal 
and regulatory developments affecting its 
operations and projects, and utilises internal 
and external legal expertise to ensure its 
rights are protected.

24  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

1 Excludes employees and contractors at joint ventures.

The marketplace

Products

The Group’s mining operations produce copper with by-products of gold, molybdenum and 
silver. Los Pelambres and Centinela produce copper concentrate containing gold and silver, 
which is sold to smelters for further processing and refining into copper cathodes, as well as 
the production of gold and silver. Copper contained in concentrates made up over 80% of the 
Group’s copper sales in 2015. Centinela, Antucoya and Zaldívar produce copper cathodes which 
are sold directly to fabricators and trading companies. Cathode production is set to increase 
during 2016 with Antucoya’s ramp-up to full production and the recent acquisition of 50% of 
the Zaldívar mine. Los Pelambres produces molybdenum concentrate, which is sold to roasters 
for further processing.

For more information on the structure of the Group’s sales contracts, please see page 22.

Mining division revenue by-product ($3,242.2m)

$1,606.7m

$1,058.9m

Los Pelambres

Centinela

Michilla

Gold

$168.9m

$252.0m

$105.3m
Molybdenum

$50.4m
Silver

Los Pelambres

Centinela

Michilla

Total copper

$m

1,606.7

1,058.9

Gold Los Pelambres/Centinela

Molybdenum Los Pelambres

168.9

Silver Los Pelambres/Centinela

2,834.5

$m

252.0

105.3

50.4

Global copper consumption by sector1

A

E

A Construction

B Consumer products

D

C Electrical and electronic products

D Transport

E Industrial machinery

B

1  Source: Wood Mackenzie’s Q4 2015  
Copper Outlook – December 2015.

C

%

29.3

28.6

19.2

12.3

10.6

Antofagasta plc  25

STRATEGIC REPORTSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWThe marketplace

The price of copper is 
affected by supply-demand 
fundamentals as well as by 
financial investors who take 
positions on the future value 
of the metal.

Copper

Gold

Gold is used as an investment asset, in 
jewellery and for industrial and electronic 
applications. It can be readily sold on 
numerous markets throughout the world 
and benchmark prices are generally based 
on London Bullion Market Association 
(“LBMA”) quotations.

Molybdenum

The main use of molybdenum is as a key 
alloying element in steel, although it is also 
used in other products such as catalysts. 
Contract prices are typically based on 
price benchmarks such as those reported 
by Platts. 

Refined copper is used principally in 
electrical and thermal applications, as it 
is a very good conductor of electricity 
and heat, and in a number of metal alloys 
such as brass and bronze. The main 
consumption areas are construction and 
consumer products, which account for 
approximately 58% of global copper 
demand. Electrical and electronic products, 
transport and industrial machinery account 
for the balance. 

The price of copper is typically determined 
by the major metals exchanges – the 
London Metal Exchange (“LME”), the 
Commodity Exchange, Inc. (“COMEX”) and 
the Shanghai Futures Exchange (“SHFE”). 
The price of copper is affected by supply-
demand fundamentals as well as by financial 
investors who take positions on the future 
value of the metal. This can lead to volatile 
and cyclical movements, as has been seen 
during the course of 2015.

26  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Market environment

Average LME copper price

$/Lb

3.40

3.20

3.00

2.80

2.60

2.40

2.20

2.00

1.80

H1 2014
Average $3.14/lb

H2 2014
Average $3.09/lb

H1 2015
Average $2.69/lb

H1 2015
Average $2.30/lb

31 Dec 2013

30 Jun 2014

31 Dec 2014

30 Jun 2015

31 Dec 2015

Refined copper

2015 market performance
The average LME copper price during 
2015 was $2.50/lb, representing a 19.8% 
decrease compared with the 2014 average. 
Prices held up during the first half of the 
year, averaging $2.69/lb before declining 
over the second half, closing at $2.13/lb at 
the end of the year. This fall reflected the 
slowdown in China and reduced investment 
interest in the commodity sector, which 
depressed the copper price even though the 
market was nearly in balance and showing 
only a small surplus for the year.

Global mine production accounts for some 
85% of total refined supply and grew at a 
slightly slower rate than expected due to 
the combined effect of mine disruptions, 
start-up delays and protracted ramp-ups. 
Several producers announced the closure 
of higher-cost operations in response to 
declining prices. The balance of supply 
comes from secondary sources, particularly 
in the form of scrap, the availability of which 
declined as falling prices led to lower rates 
of recycling and some scrap dealers limited 
their trading activities.

On the demand side the most important 
market is China, which accounted for 
approximately 46% of global copper 
consumption in 2015. Other than China, 
Europe and North America remain the key 
consumers at 17% and 11% respectively.

The Group’s average realised price in 2015 
was below the average LME price reflecting 
a net negative provisional pricing adjustment 
of $295.5 million for the year. 

Market outlook
The general consensus is that the market 
will show a small surplus for a couple of 
years and then will move into deficit as 
supply is constrained by lack of investment 
while demand continues to grow. In the 
current low-price environment, greenfield 
and brownfield projects across the world 
have been postponed and further cuts in 
production by producers are expected during 
the year if the price remains at a low level. 
Demand growth will continue to be linked 
to Chinese consumption.

In early 2016, the consensus price forecast 
for the year was $2.20/lb, lower than in 
2015, with the US dollar remaining strong, 
China’s economic growth under the “new 
normal” uncertain and supply continuing 
to grow, albeit slowly.

Copper concentrate

2015 market performance
There was good demand for copper 
concentrates and spot treatment and 
refining charges (“TC/RCs”) fell well below 
the benchmark rate set at the beginning of 
the year. The concentrate market tightened, 
in favour of miners, as new smelters ramped 
up or were brought online during the year. 
As in previous years, a number of supply 
disruptions restricted the availability of 
concentrates and as the drop in the copper 
price reduced the availability of scrap for use 
by the smelters, some of them purchased 
more concentrates to replace the lost 
copper units.

Market outlook
Benchmark TC/RCs for 2016 are $97.35 
per dry metric tonne of concentrate and 
9.735c/lb of refined copper. This rate is 
some 9% lower than the benchmark set 
for 2015 and reflects a tighter market and 
increased smelter capacity, particularly 
in China.

Gold

The gold price declined by more than 
11% during 2015, influenced by bearish 
sentiment from the wider commodity 
complex. Better economic performance 
by European and US equity markets in the 
first half of the year also weakened demand 
for gold as a safe haven investment. In the 
months leading up to the US Federal 
Reserve’s rate hike in December, higher 
bond yields and the strengthening US dollar 
put further downward pressure on gold. 

These factors led to significant outflows 
from gold Exchange Traded Funds (“ETFs”) 
with almost 100 tonnes leaving ETFs in the 
year. Investors’ sentiment was bearish, with 
average net longs reaching their lowest level 
since 2003. 

Gold averaged $1,160/oz in 2015 compared 
with $1,266/oz in 2014 and closed the year 
at $1,061/oz. The consensus price forecast 
for 2016 is $1,160/oz.

Molybdenum

Molybdenum prices decreased to their 
lowest levels for 12 years as a result of 
lower demand from the steel industry and 
increased mine supply. The price averaged 
$6.7/lb for the year, compared with $11.4/lb 
in 2014, and the consensus forecast is it will 
fall further in 2016 to an average annual price 
below $6.0/lb.

Antofagasta plc  27

STRATEGIC REPORTSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWStrategy for the mining business

Mining division business strategy
To be an international mining company based in Chile, 
focused on copper and related by-products, and recognised 
for operational efficiency, value creation and as a preferred 
partner in the global mining industry.

1

2

3

1

The existing core business

Current strategic focus:

•  Embed the Safety Model across all operations 

to achieve zero fatalities 

•  Implement the Cost and Competitiveness 

Programme (“CCP”) to improve performance 
and competitive position 

•  Integrate Zaldívar, focusing on capturing 

potential synergies

•  Proactive and inclusive approach with 

communities and other stakeholders to strengthen 
sustainable development

Further information on pages 40 to 47.

1 The existing core business

The first pillar of the strategy for the mining division 
is to optimise and enhance its existing core business: 
Los Pelambres, Centinela, Antucoya and Zaldívar.

2 Organic and sustainable growth of the core business
The second pillar of the strategy is to achieve sustainable, 
organic growth from further developing the areas around 
the Group’s existing asset base in Chile: Encuentro Oxides, 
Centinela Molybdenum Plant, Los Pelambres Incremental 
Expansion and Centinela Second Concentrator.

3 Growth beyond the core business

The third pillar of the strategy is to seek growth beyond the 
Group’s existing operations – both in Chile and internationally. 
The focus is on potential acquisitions of high-quality operating 
assets and high-potential early-stage developments.

2

Organic and sustainable growth  
of the core business

Current strategic focus:

•  Advance projects under construction: Encuentro Oxides 

and the molybdenum plant at Centinela

•  Continue to advance the Group’s main brownfield 

projects: Los Pelambres Incremental Expansion and 
Centinela Second Concentrator

Further information on pages 48 to 51.

3

Growth beyond the core business

Current strategic focus:

•  Work to develop the long-term growth pipeline beyond 

our existing operations

•  Monitor the current market environment to assess 

potential value accretive acquisitions or joint ventures 

Further information on pages 48 to 51.

28  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

2015 in Review

The Group regrets that there has been one fatality this year. 
The Group is convinced that the Safety Model introduced in 2014 
is the right approach and will keep on working with employees, 
contractors and suppliers to ensure the effective implementation 
of the critical controls associated with this model

Copper production of 630,300 tonnes is approximately 10% lower 
than guidance issued at the beginning of 2015 

Objectives for 2016

Zero fatalities

Improve safety standards through strengthening application 
of the Safety Model

Copper production of 710–740,000 tonnes (including 50% of 
Zaldívar), while reducing cash costs before by-product credits 
to $1.65/lb from $1.81/lb in 2015

Group net cash costs for the full year 2015 of $1.50/lb, in line with 
initial guidance for the year

Continue working on the capture of newly identified savings, 
aiming to add $160 million of cost reductions this year

During 2015, the Group implemented a corporate initiative to 
improve its competitive position and to achieve structural cost 
savings. The Cost and Competitiveness Programme (“CCP”) has 
four areas of focus: services productivity, operational & maintenance 
management, corporate & organisational effectiveness and energy 
efficiency. In 2015, the CCP achieved $150 million in cost savings 

Michilla put on care and maintenance at the end of 2015

2015 in Review

Objectives for 2016

Antucoya started production in September and ramp-up reached 
58% of plant design capacity by the end of the year

Reach design capacity and stabilise all key performance indicators 
to achieve 2016 production plan

Advanced Encuentro Oxides pre-stripping and commenced 
construction of processing facility. Started construction of the 
molybdenum plant at Centinela 

Advance construction of Encuentro Oxides and Molybdenum Plant, 
but at a slower rate than originally planned, to reduce expenditure 
in 2016. Completion expected in 2017

Completed environmental baseline study and advanced engineering 
and EIA studies for the use of sea water in the Los Pelambres 
Incremental Expansion project

Submission of Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) 
for Los Pelambres Incremental Expansion project and advance 
feasibility study for completion in 2017 

Completed the pre-feasibility study for the Centinela Second 
Concentrator and started the feasibility study. Submitted EIA 
for approval

Completed installation of secondary and tertiary crushers 
at Centinela Concentrator

Advance Centinela Second Concentrator feasibility study 
for completion in 2017. EIA approval expected in 2016

Reach throughput capacity of 105,000tpd

2015 in Review

Objectives for 2016

The acquisition of 50% of Zaldívar is a major milestone in the  
history of the Group and the first acquisition of an operating 
company since the acquisition of Michilla in 1980

Contribute 50–55,000 tonnes to Group production and 
increase thereafter 

Fully integrate Zaldívar into the Group’s operating practices 

Continued international exploration programme with existing 
and new joint venture partners

Continue current exploration programmes 

Identify potential new growth opportunities in Chile and abroad

Consolidated full ownership of the Twin Metals project and 
advanced optimisation studies

Continue with optimisation of the Twin Metals project and advance 
the permitting process

Antofagasta plc  29

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWKey performance indicators

The Group uses KPIs to assess 
performance in terms of meeting its 
strategic and operational objectives.

Performance is measured against 
the following financial, operational 
and sustainability objectives:

Financial KPIs

Group revenue

$3,394.6m

Why it is important  
Revenue represents the income 
from sales, principally from the 
sale of copper as well as the 
gold, molybdenum and silver 
by-product credits.

Performance in 2015  
Revenue fell 34.0% in 2015, mainly 
due to lower realised copper prices, 
lower copper sales volumes and 
reduced gold by-product revenues.

EBITDA

$890.7m

Why it is important  
This is a measure of the Group’s 
underlying profitability. 

Performance in 2015 
EBITDA fell by over 58% in 2015 
as a result of lower production, 
lower realised prices and slightly 
higher unit operating costs.

1
.
0
4
7
,
6

0
.
6
7
0
,
6

6
.
7
1
9
,
5

6
.
5
4
1
,
5

6
.
4
9
3
,
3

11

12

13

141

152

4
.
4
6
8
,
3

5
.
0
6
6
,
3

2
.
2
0
7
,
2

4
.
1
4
1
,
2

7
.
0
9
8

11

12

13

141

152

Earnings per share1

0.6 cents

Why it is important 
This is a measure of the profit 
attributable to shareholders. 

Performance in 2015 
EPS was impacted by lower profitability 
as costs rose and realised prices fell.

4
.
5
2
1

2
.
5
0
1

9
.
6
6

8
.
2
4

6
.
0

11

12

13

142

152

 An analysis of Financial KPIs is included within the Financial review 
on pages 64 to 68.

30  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

1 Restated.
2 From continuing operations.

INPUTS

EXPLORATION

EVALUATION

CONSTRUCTION

EXTRACTION

PROCESSING

MARKETING

RESTORATION

OUTPUTS

Operational KPIs

Sustainability KPIs

Copper production

630,300 tonnes

Why it is important 
Copper is the Group’s main 
product and its production is 
a key operational parameter. 

Performance in 2015 
Copper production decreased 
by 10.6% in 2015, primarily due 
to lower production at Los Pelambres 
and Centinela. Attributable production 
for the year was 4,400 tonnes 
from Zaldívar.

Net cash costs2

$1.50/lb

Why it is important 
This is a key indicator of operational 
efficiency and profitability. 

Performance in 2015 
Net cash costs rose 4.9% compared 
to 2014, as lower realised by-product 
prices and lower gold production 
outweighed the lower cash costs 
before by-product credits.

6
.
9
0
7

2
.
1
2
7

8
.
4
0
7

5
.
0
4
6

3
.
0
3
6

Lost time injury frequency rate4

1.98

Why it is important 
Safety is a key priority for the Group 
with the LTIFR being one of the principal 
measures of performance. 

Performance in 2015 
The LTIFR of the Group in 2015 was 
1.98 accidents with lost time per million 
hours worked. One fatality was reported 
in 2015 and is not acceptable: the Group 
continues to target zero fatalities across 
all operations.

2
.
3

6
.
2

1

.

2

9

.

1

8
9
.
1

11

12

13

14

15

11

12

13

14

15

3
4
.
1

0
5
.
1

6
3
.
1

2
0
.
1

3
0
.
1

Water consumption5

45.2m m3

Why it is important 
Water is a precious resource and 
the Group is focused on maximising 
efficient use and utilising the 
most sustainable sources as 
production grows.

Performance in 2015 
Consumption of water decreased 
during 2015, in line with the Group’s 
efforts to maximise water efficiency.

 Continental  
 Sea

5
.
5
2

0
.
0
2

4
.
4
2

2
.
0
2

8
.
6
2

6
.
0
2

7
.
4
2

6
.
0
2

6
.
2
2

9
.
5
1

11

12

13

14

15

11

12

13

14

15

Mineral resources3

18.7bn tonnes

Why it is important 
Expansion of the Group’s mineral 
resources base has supported 
its strong organic growth pipeline.

Performance in 2015 
The mineral resource base grew by 
over 6%, reflecting the incorporation 
of additional resources at Los Volcanes 
and the acquisition of the Zaldívar mine.

7
.
3
1

9
.
7
1

7
.
8
1

2
.
6
1

2
.
5
1

11

12

13

14

15

Emissions6

3.24 tonnes

Why it is important 
The Group recognises the risks and 
opportunities of climate change and 
the need to measure and mitigate its 
greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions. 
The Group is investing in renewable 
energy projects both to address rising 
costs and as part of its approach to 
mitigate climate change.

Performance in 2015  
Carbon emission intensity rose from 
2014 primarily due to lower copper 
production at the Group’s operations.

2
9
.
2

6
7
.
2

9
0
.
3

8
9
.
2

4
2
.
3

11

12

13

14

15

 An analysis of the Group’s copper production and cash costs is included in the 
Operational review on pages 39 to 51 and within the Financial review on pages 
64 to 68.

 Further information on safety and health, water consumption and carbon 
emissions is provided in the Managing a sustainable business section 
on pages 53 to 63.

 Mineral resources – a review of the Group’s exploration activities is set out 
in the Operational review on pages 39 to 51, and the ore reserves and mineral 
resources estimates, along with supporting explanations, are set out on 
pages 186 to 193.

2  Net cash costs are an industry measure of the cost of production. 
3  Mineral resources relating to the Group’s subsidiaries on a 100% basis, and Zaldívar 

on a 50% basis. 

4  The Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate is the number of accidents with lost time during 

the year per million hours worked. 

5  Water consumption relates to the mining division only. 
6 Total CO2 emissions per tonne of copper produced. Data relates to the mining division only.

Antofagasta plc  31

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWRisk management

Risk and Compliance Management Framework

Effective risk and compliance management is an essential 
element of the Group’s operations and strategy. The accurate 
and timely identification, assessment and management of risks 
are key to the operational and financial success of the Group.

The Risk and Compliance Management Department:
•  Provides guidelines, standards and best practice 
examples of risk and compliance management 
at the corporate and business unit levels

•  Is responsible for risk and compliance 

management systems

•  Maintains the Group’s risk register

•  Organises and promotes risk and 

compliance workshops 
•  Supervises the operations
•  Reviews the effectiveness of mitigating actions
•  Supports internal stakeholders in key 

strategic decisions

The Group’s risk and compliance management framework can be divided into three tiers:

Governance

Risk management

Compliance 

Communicating the 
Group’s vision, strategy and 
objectives throughout the 
organisation, and putting in 
place appropriate governance 
structures, policies and 
procedures to embed key 
aims and objectives.

Ensuring that there are the 
structures and processes in 
place to identify and evaluate 
risks, and that appropriate 
controls and mitigation 
techniques are developed to 
address those risks. 

Ensuring that key risks, and 
the performance in managing 
those risks, are reported 
on a timely basis to the 
relevant parties.

Ensuring that the Group’s 
internal policies, procedures 
and control activities, as 
well as all relevant laws and 
regulations, are adhered to.

32  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

INPUTS

EXPLORATION

EVALUATION

CONSTRUCTION

EXTRACTION

PROCESSING

MARKETING

RESTORATION

OUTPUTS

Governance 

Risk management  

Compliance Model  

The Board is responsible for determining 
the nature and extent of the significant 
risks that the Group will accept in order 
to achieve its strategic objectives, and 
for maintaining sound risk management 
and internal control systems. The Board 
receives detailed analysis of key matters 
for consideration in advance of Board 
meetings. This includes reports on the 
Group’s operational performance, including 
safety and health, financial, environmental, 
legal and social matters, key developments 
in the Group’s exploration and business 
development activities, information on the 
commodity markets, updates on talent 
management and analysis of financial 
investments. The regular provision of this 
information allows the early identification 
of potential issues and assessment of 
any necessary mitigating actions.

The Audit and Risk Committee assists the 
Board by reviewing the effectiveness of the 
risk management process and monitoring 
key risks and mitigation procedures. 
The Chairman of the Audit and Risk 
Committee reports to the Board following 
each Committee meeting, allowing the 
Board to understand and, if necessary, 
further discuss the matters considered 
in detail by the Committee. 

These processes allow the Board to 
monitor effectively the Group’s major 
risks and related mitigation procedures, 
and assess the acceptable level of risk 
that arises from the Group’s operations 
and development activities. Quarterly risk 
management reports are sent to the Board.

The Code of Ethics sets out the Group’s 
commitment to undertake business 
in a responsible and transparent 
manner. The Code requires honesty, 
integrity and accountability from all 
employees and contractors and includes 
guidelines for identifying and managing 
potential conflicts of interest. An Ethics 
Committee comprising members of 
senior management is responsible for 
implementing, developing and updating 
the Code and monitoring compliance. 
The Code and other compliance matters 
form part of the induction programme 
for new employees.

 Further information on the Board and its 
Committees is given in the Governance section 
on pages 69 to 116.

The Risk and Compliance Management 
Department has responsibility for risk and 
compliance management systems across 
the Group. It maintains the Group’s risk 
register, which specifies the strategic 
risks that represent the most significant 
threats to the Group’s performance and 
achievement of its strategy, along with any 
necessary mitigation activities. The risk 
register is continuously updated and annual 
strategic risk workshops are held at which 
senior management from across the 
business review the Group’s key strategic 
risks and related mitigation activities. 
The Risk and Compliance Management 
Department reports quarterly to the Audit 
and Risk Committee on the overall risk 
management process, including a detailed 
update of key risks, mitigation activities 
and the actions being taken.

The General Managers of each of the 
operations have overall responsibility for 
leading and supporting risk management. 
Risk Champions within each operation have 
direct responsibility for risk management 
processes in their operations and for 
the continuous update of individual 
business risk registers, including relevant 
mitigation activities. The owners of the 
risks and controls at each business unit 
are identified, providing an effective and 
direct management of risk. As part of this 
process, each operation holds its own 
annual risk workshop in which the business 
unit’s risks and mitigation activities are 
reviewed in detail and updated if necessary. 
Workshops are also used to assess key 
risks that may affect relationships with 
stakeholders, limit resources, interrupt 
operations and/or negatively affect potential 
future growth. Mitigation techniques for 
the significant strategic and business unit 
risks are annually reviewed by the risk 
management department.

The Board regularly reviews Group 
compliance with all relevant laws and 
regulations, internal policies, procedures 
and control activities. A formal risk 
assessment is conducted at least once 
a year at all of the Group’s operations, and 
all risks are reported and reviewed quarterly 
by the Audit and Risk Committee.

The Group’s Compliance Model applies 
to both employees and contractors. It is 
clearly defined and communicated regularly 
through internal communication channels, 
as well as being available on the Group’s 
website. All contracts with contractors 
include clauses relating to ethics and crime 
prevention to ensure adherence to the 
Group’s Compliance Model.

The Compliance Model comprises 
of five pillars:

1 The Code of Ethics 
This code sets out the Group’s values 
and provides guidelines on behaviour 
for all employees and contractors. 

2 The Crime Prevention Model 
This model ensures compliance with the 
anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws in 
the United Kingdom and Chile. The Vice 
President of Finance and Administration 
is responsible for overseeing, defining and 
implementing the Model. As part of the 
Model, the Group regularly undertakes 
the following activities: 

• Training on key risk areas (ethics,  

anti-corruption and anti-trust matters) 

• Investigating all reports made 

by whistleblowers

• Conflict of interest assessment and  
due diligence on all business partners

• Updating and reviewing all employees’ 

conflict of interest statements 

• Bolstering the compliance programme 

and systems 

• Third party review of the Crime 

Prevention Model 

Policies and processes are in place to 
ensure the proper management of any  
non-compliance exposure. 

3 Whistleblowing 
Employees and external stakeholders 
can report concerns of irregular conduct 
or ethical issues through the Company’s 
intranet, or by email, letter or using a 
dedicated hotline. Every complaint is 
investigated, the findings are reported 
to the Ethics Committee and, if required, 
action is taken. Measures are taken to 
ensure the security and confidentiality of 
employees for the duration of the process, 
safeguarding employees and providing 
greater transparency.

Antofagasta plc  33

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEW 
 
 
 
 
 
Risk management

4 Communication and Training Programme 
The Group has a comprehensive training programme to ensure 
that the policies and procedures of the Compliance Model are 
understood and embedded in the culture of the organisation. 
The programme emphasises the right to know and there are 
measures in place to bolster the skills required to ensure its 
effective implementation. 

5 Compliance Risks and Control Assessment 
The objective of the Compliance Risks and Control Assessment 
is to identify, develop and improve internal controls to prevent 
potential risks. This assessment is performed at least annually. 

The Compliance Model is regularly monitored and reviewed 
internally as well as by external parties. The strong performance 
of the Compliance Model has enabled it to be certified in Chile.

The Model is regularly reviewed internally and by third parties, 
and on matters relating to corruption, it has been certified under 
Chilean anti-corruption legislation. 

Compliance Model 

Code of Ethics

Crime Prevention Model

Code of Ethics

Crime Prevention Handbook

Conflict of Interest Guidelines

Anti-corruption clauses in contracts

Areas of focus during 2015 and development 
of key risks

The focus was on consolidating the risk management 
processes, which included the following:

•  Working to improve from maturity level 4 to maturity 

level 5, the top level of the Risk Maturity Model¹

•  Expanding risk analysis to incorporate new business 

areas and widen coverage 

•  Improving key risk controls and taking action to 

reduce the impact and/or probability of identified risks, 
particularly through the use of preventive action plans

•  Updating and improving Disaster Recovery Plans and 

Business Continuity Plans

•  Establishing risk management training programmes 

for key users

•  Following up agreed actions for materialised risks

•  Including compliance matters in the Group’s 

training programme

•  Receiving certification for the third consecutive year of 
the Crime Prevention Model, as required by Chilean law 

•  Strengthening compliance processes by establishing best 
practices, holding training workshops for key exposed 
areas and implementing new guidelines

Gifts and Hospitality Guidelines

Due diligence process, including  
global checking

Antitrust – PEP – Facilitation 
Fees Guidelines

 Further information about the Group’s risk management systems 
is given in the Governance section on pages 69 to 116 and in the 
Managing a sustainable business section on pages 53 to 63. Further  
detailed disclosure in respect of financial risks relevant to the Group  
are set out in Note 26 to the financial statements.

Whistleblowing Channels

Reporting channels (web, telephone hotline, email)

Methodology of investigation complaints and reports

Monitoring – analysis of complaints and improving internal control

Communication and Training Plan

Communications (news, intranet, posters)

Training programme – induction of new employees

Compliance Risk and Control Assessment

Identification of risks and controls

Assessment of risks and controls, and improvement of the process

34  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

1  In accordance with the Risk Maturity Model developed by Deloitte based on international 

standards such as COSO ERM, ISO 31000 and others.

INPUTS

EXPLORATION

EVALUATION

CONSTRUCTION

EXTRACTION

PROCESSING

MARKETING

RESTORATION

OUTPUTS

Principal risks and uncertainties

Set out below are the Group’s principal risks and related mitigation techniques. 

The Board has carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks set out below.

Risk

Mitigation

Application to strategy 

Community relations

Failure to identify and manage 
local concerns and expectations 
can have a negative impact on 
the Group. Relations with local 
communities and stakeholders 
affect the Group’s reputation 
and social licence to operate 
and grow.

Strategic resources

Disruption to the supply of any 
of the Group’s key strategic 
inputs such as electricity, 
water, fuel, sulphuric acid 
and mining equipment could 
have a negative impact on 
production. Longer term, any 
restrictions on the availability 
of key strategic resources such 
as water and electricity could 
affect the Group’s opportunities 
for growth.

A significant portion of 
the Group’s input costs 
are influenced by external 
market factors.

Operational

Mining operations are subject 
to a number of circumstances 
not wholly within the Group’s 
control. These include damage 
to or breakdown of equipment 
or infrastructure, unexpected 
geological variations or technical 
issues, extreme weather 
conditions and natural disasters, 
any of which could adversely 
affect production and/or costs.

The Group has dedicated teams at its central office and at each of its operations. 
These establish and maintain relations with local communities based on trust and mutual 
benefit throughout the mining lifecycle, from exploration to final remediation. The Group seeks 
to identify any potentially negative operational impacts and minimise these through responsible 
behaviour. This means acting transparently and ethically, prioritising the safety and health of its 
employees and contractors, promoting dialogue, complying with commitments to stakeholders 
and establishing mechanisms to prevent or address a crisis. These steps are undertaken in the 
early stages of each project and continue throughout the life of each operation. The Group also 
contributes to the development of communities in the areas of influence in which it operates, 
particularly through human capital development – the education, training and employment 
of the local population. The Group endeavours to communicate clearly and transparently 
with local communities in line with the established Community Relations Plan, including 
the use of a grievance management process, local perception surveys, local media and 
community engagement.

 Details of the Group’s community relations activities are included in the  
Managing a sustainable business section on pages 53 to 63.

Contingency plans are in place to address any short-term disruptions to strategic resources. 
The Group commences early negotiations in supply contracts for key inputs to ensure supply 
continuity. Certain key supplies are purchased from several sources to mitigate potential 
disruption arising from exposure to a single supplier.

Technological and innovative solutions, such as using sea water in the Group’s mining 
operations, can help mitigate exposure to potential scarcity of resources.

Access to energy is a priority for the Group and during 2014 and 2015, it secured several 
sources of non-traditional energy such as wind and solar power.

 Information on the Group’s arrangements for the supply of key inputs are included 
within the Key inputs section on pages 19 to 21, and details of significant operational 
or cost factors related to key inputs are included within the Operational review on 
pages 39 to 52.

The key risks relating to each operation are identified as part of the regular risk review 
process undertaken by the individual operations. This process also identifies appropriate 
mitigation techniques for such risks. Monthly reports to the Board provide a variance analysis 
of operational and financial performance, allowing potential key issues to be identified in 
good time and any necessary actions, such as monitoring or control activities, to take place.

The Group has a Business Continuity Plan and Disaster Recovery Plan for all key processes 
within its operations in case of crisis or natural disaster. The Group also has insurance to 
provide protection from some, but not all, of the costs that may arise from such events.

 Details of the performance of each of the Group’s operations are included within 
the Operational review on pages 39 to 52.

1

2

3

1

2

3

1

2

3

Antofagasta plc  35

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWRisk management

Risk

Mitigation

Application to strategy 

Project management

Failure to effectively manage 
the Group’s development 
projects could result in delays 
in the start of production and 
cost overruns. 

The Group has a project management system consisting of standards, manuals and 
procedures containing the best practices applicable and enforceable in all phases of 
project development. The project management system supports the decision-making 
process by balancing risk versus benefit, increasing the likelihood of success and providing 
a common defining language and standards. All geometallurgical models are reviewed 
by independent experts.

Additionally, during the project lifecycle, quality checks for each of the standards applied are 
carried out by a panel of experts from within the Group. This panel reviews each feasibility 
study to assess the technical and commercial viability of the project. Detailed progress reports 
on ongoing projects are regularly reviewed, including assessments of progress against key 
project milestones and performance against budget.

 Details of the progress of the Group’s projects are included within the 
Operational review on pages 39 to 51.

Political, legal and regulatory

The Group may be affected 
by political instability and 
regulatory developments in 
the countries in which it is 
operating, pursuing projects 
or conducting exploration 
activities. Issues regarding 
the granting of permits or 
amendments to permits 
already granted, and changes 
to the legal environment or 
regulations, could adversely 
affect the Group’s operations 
and development projects.

Safety and health 

Safety and health incidents 
could result in harm to the 
Group’s employees, contractors 
or to local communities. 
Ensuring their safety and 
wellbeing is first and foremost 
an ethical obligation for the 
Group as stated in the Charter 
of Values.

Poor safety records or 
serious accidents could have 
a long-term impact on the 
Group’s morale, reputation 
and production.

The Group assesses political risk as part of its evaluation of potential projects, including the 
nature of any foreign investment agreements. Political, legal and regulatory developments 
affecting the Group’s operations and projects are monitored on a continuous basis. The Group 
operates in full compliance with the existing laws, regulations, licences, permits and rights in 
each country in which it operates.

The Group monitors proposed changes in government policies and regulations and belongs 
to several associations that consult with the government on these changes.

 Details of any significant political, legal or regulatory issues that impact the Group’s 
operations are included within the Operational review on pages 39 to 52.

Safety and health risk management procedures are being strengthened, with particular focus 
on preventing fatalities and the early identification of risks.

The corporate Safety and Health department provides a common strategy to the Group’s 
operations and co-ordinates all safety and health matters. The Group has a Significant Incident 
Report system which is an important part of the Group’s overall approach to safety.

This approach includes a goal of zero fatalities and minimising the number of accidents. 
This goal requires all contractors to comply with the Group’s Occupational Health and 
Safety Plan, which is monitored through monthly audits and supported by regular training 
and awareness campaigns for employees, contractors, and employees’ families and local 
communities, particularly with regard to road safety.

 Further information about the Group’s activities in respect of safety and health 
is set out in the Managing a sustainable business section on pages 53 to 63.

Environmental management

An operational incident that 
damages the environment 
could affect the Group’s 
relationship with local 
stakeholders and its reputation, 
undermining its social licence 
to operate and to grow. 

The Group operates in 
challenging environments, 
including the Atacama Desert 
where water scarcity is a 
key issue.

The Group has a comprehensive approach to incident prevention. Relevant risks are assessed, 
monitored and controlled. The Group works to raise awareness among employees and 
provide training to promote operational excellence. Potential environmental impacts are key 
considerations when assessing project viability and the integration of innovative technology in 
the project design to mitigate these effects is encouraged. The Group pioneered the use of sea 
water for mining operations in Chile and has installed capacity to produce thickened tailings at 
Centinela as it strives to ensure maximum efficiency in water use, achieving high rates of reuse 
and recovery.

 Further information in respect of the Group’s environmental activities is 
set out in the Managing a sustainable business section on pages 53 to 63.

1

2

3

1

2

3

1

2

3

1

2

3

36  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

INPUTS

EXPLORATION

EVALUATION

CONSTRUCTION

EXTRACTION

PROCESSING

MARKETING

RESTORATION

OUTPUTS

Risk

Mitigation

Application to strategy 

Growth opportunities

The Group may fail to 
identify attractive acquisition 
opportunities or may select 
inappropriate targets.

The long-term commodity price 
forecast and other assumptions 
used when assessing potential 
projects and other investment 
opportunities have a significant 
influence on the forecast return 
on investment and if incorrectly 
estimated could result in the 
wrong decisions being made.

Commodity prices

The Group’s results are heavily 
dependent on commodity 
prices – principally copper and, 
to a lesser extent, gold and 
molybdenum. The prices of 
these commodities are strongly 
influenced by a variety of 
external factors, including world 
economic growth, inventory 
balances, industry demand and 
supply, possible substitution, etc. 

Foreign currency

The Group’s sales are mainly 
denominated in US dollars and 
some of the Group’s operating 
costs are in Chilean pesos.

The strengthening of 
the Chilean peso may 
negatively affect the Group’s 
financial results.

The Group assesses a wide range of potential growth opportunities, both internal projects 
and external opportunities. A rigorous assessment process is followed to evaluate all potential 
business acquisitions, which are subjected to different stress test scenarios for sensitivity 
analysis and to determine the risks associated with the project or opportunity.

The Group’s Business Development Committee reviews potential growth opportunities 
and potential transactions, and approves or recommends them within authority levels 
set by the Board.

 Details of the Group’s growth opportunities are set out in the Operational 
review on pages 39 to 51.

The Group considers exposure to commodity price fluctuations to be an integral part of the 
business and its usual policy is to sell its products at prevailing market prices. The Group 
monitors the commodity markets closely to determine the effect of price fluctuations on 
earnings, capital expenditure and cash flows. Very occasionally the Group uses derivative 
instruments to manage its exposure to commodity price fluctuations when it feels it to be 
appropriate. The Group runs its business plans under various different commodity price 
scenarios and develops contingency plans as required. 

As at the end of 2015, the Group held no open commodity hedging positions.

 The sensitivity of the Group’s earnings to movements in commodity prices is set out 
in Note 26 to the financial statements. 

As copper exports account for over 50% of Chile’s exports, there is a correlation between the 
copper price and the US dollar/Chilean peso exchange rate. This natural hedge partly mitigates 
the Group’s foreign exchange exposure. However, the Group closely monitors the foreign 
exchange markets and the macroeconomic variables that affect it and on occasion maintains 
a focused currency hedging programme to reduce short-term exposure to fluctuations in the 
US dollar against the Chilean peso.

 Details of the Group’s currency hedging arrangements are shown in Note 26 to the 
financial statements.

Identification of new mineral resources

The Group needs to identify 
new mineral resources to 
ensure continued future growth 
and does so through exploration 
and acquisition. There is a risk 
that exploration activities may 
not identify sufficient viable 
mineral resources.

The Group conducts exploration programmes both in Chile and other countries. The Group 
has entered into early-stage exploration agreements and strategic alliances with third parties 
in a number of countries and has also acquired equity interests in companies with known 
geological potential. The Group focuses its exploration activities on stable and secure countries 
to reduce country risk exposure. 

 A review of the Group’s exploration activities is set out in the Operational review 
on pages 50 and 51.

1

2

3

1

2

3

1

2

3

1

2

3

Antofagasta plc  37

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWRisk management

Risk

Mitigation

Ore reserves and mineral resources estimates

Application to strategy 

The Group’s ore reserves 
and mineral resources 
estimates are subject to a 
number of assumptions and 
estimates, including geological, 
metallurgical and technical 
factors, future commodity 
prices and production costs. 
Fluctuations in these variables 
may result in some reserves 
or resources being deemed 
uneconomic, which could 
lead to a reduction in reserves 
and/or resources.

The Group’s reserves and resources estimates are updated annually to reflect material 
extracted during the year, the results of drilling programmes and any revised assumptions. 
The Group follows the Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee (“JORC”) Code in 
reporting its ore reserves and mineral resources, which requires that the reserves and 
resources estimates are based on work undertaken by a Competent Person, as defined 
by the Code. In addition, the Group’s reserves and resources estimates are subject to 
a comprehensive programme of internal and external audits.

 The ore reserves and mineral resources estimates, along with supporting explanations, 
are set out on pages 186 to 193.

Talent management and labour relations

The Group’s highly skilled 
workforce and experienced 
management team are 
critical to maintaining current 
operations, implementing 
development projects, 
achieving long-term growth 
and preserving current 
operations without major 
disruption. Managing talent 
and maintaining a high-quality 
labour force is a key priority 
for the Group and any failures 
in this respect could have 
a negative impact on the 
performance of the existing 
operations and future growth.

There are long-term labour agreements in place with employees at each of the Group’s mining 
operations, which help to ensure labour stability. These agreements were last renegotiated in 
2014 for a period of up to four years for all of the Group’s operations, except for Zaldívar which 
was acquired during 2015 and whose labour agreement continues until 2017.

The Group seeks to identify and address labour issues that may arise throughout the period 
covered by existing labour agreements and to anticipate any potential issues in good time. 
Contractors are an important part of the Group’s workforce and under Chilean law are 
subject to the same duties and responsibilities as the Group’s own employees. The Group’s 
approach is to treat contractors as strategic associates and its goal is to build long-term 
mutually beneficial contractor relationships. The Group maintains constructive relationships 
with its employees and the unions that represent them through regular communication and 
consultation. Union representatives are regularly involved in discussions about the future of 
the workforce.

The Group develops the talents of its employees through training and development, invests 
in initiatives to widen the talent pool and focuses on maintaining good relationships with 
employees, unions and contractors.

The Group’s performance management system is designed to provide reward and 
remuneration structures and personal development opportunities to attract and retain key 
employees. The Group has in place a talent management system to identify and develop 
internal candidates for critical management positions, as well as processes to identify 
suitable external candidates where appropriate.

 Details of the Group’s relations with its employees and contractors are set out 
within the Managing a sustainable business section on pages 53 to 63 and within 
the Operational review on pages 39 to 52.

1

2

3

1

2

3

Long-term viability statement

To address the requirements of provision C.2.2 of the 2014 Corporate Governance 
Code, the Directors have assessed the prospects of the Group over a period of 
five years.

Mining is a long-term business and timescales can run into decades. The Group 
maintains life-of-mine plans covering the full remaining mine life for each of 
the mining operations. More detailed medium-term planning is performed for 
a five-year time horizon (as well as very detailed annual budgets). Accordingly, 
a period of five years has been selected as the appropriate period over which 
to assess the prospects of the Group.

When taking account of the impact of the Group’s current position on this viability 
assessment, the Directors have considered in particular its financial position, 
including its significant balance of cash, cash equivalents and liquid investments 
and the borrowing facilities in place, including their terms and remaining durations. 

When assessing the prospects of the Group, the Directors have considered the 
Group’s copper price forecasts, the Group’s expected production levels, operating 
cost profile, capital expenditure and financing plans. The Directors have taken into 
consideration the Group’s key risks which could impact the prospects of the Group 
over this period, with the most relevant to this viability assessment considered 
to be risks to the copper price outlook. Robust down-side sensitivity analyses 
have been performed, assessing the impact of a significant deterioration in the 
copper price outlook over the five-year period. This analysis has focused on the 

38  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

existing asset-base of the Group, without factoring in potential development 
projects, which is considered appropriate for an assessment of the Group’s ability 
to manage the impact of a depressed economic environment. These stress-tests 
all indicated results which could be managed in the normal course of business. 

Based on their assessment of the Group’s prospects and viability, the Directors 
confirm that they have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able 
to continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due over the next 
five years.

Going concern
The Directors also considered it appropriate to prepare the financial statements 
on the going concern basis, as explained in the Basis of preparation paragraph 
in Note 1 to the financial statements.

The Strategic Report has been approved by the Board and signed on its behalf by:

Jean-Paul Luksic
Chairman
14 March 2016

INPUTS

EXPLORATION

EVALUATION

CONSTRUCTION

EXTRACTION

PROCESSING

MARKETING

RESTORATION

OUTPUTS

Operational review
Mining division

All of the Group’s 
operations are located 
in the Antofagasta 
Region of northern 
Chile except for its 
flagship operation, 
Los Pelambres, which 
is in the Coquimbo 
Region of central Chile.

630,300

Tonnes of copper  
produced in 2015.

$1.50/lb

Net cash costs in 2015.

P E R U

P A C I F I C
O C E A N

B O L I V I A

CALAMA

ANTUCOYA

Esperanza port

MICHILLA

Mejillones

CENTINELA

ANTOFAGASTA
REGION

ANTOFAGASTA

ZALDÍVAR

ANTOFAGASTA
REGION

LA SERENA

COQUIMBO
REGION

ILLAPEL

Punta Chungo port

LOS VILOS

LOS PELAMBRES

COQUIMBO
REGION

A R G E N TI N A

Antofagasta operations 
and projects

Capital city

Cities and 
town centres

Antofagasta Minerals ports

C H I LE

SANTIAGO

Antofagasta plc  39

STRATEGIC REPORTSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWOperational review 
Mining division
The existing core business

Los Pelambres 

60% owned

Los Pelambres is a sulphide deposit in Chile’s Coquimbo Region, 
240 km north of Santiago. It produces copper concentrate 
(containing gold and silver) and molybdenum concentrate 
through a milling and flotation process.

1

2

3

Mine lifecycle position

Start of operation: 2000
Remaining mine life: 22 years

Exploration

Evaluation

Construction

Production

2015 Production

2015 Financials

2016 Forecast

Copper 

Molybdenum 

Net cash costs 

Operating profit 

Copper 

Molybdenum 

Tonnes (2014 – 391,300)

Tonnes (2014 – 7,900)

(2014 – $1.18/lb)

(2014 – $1,337.8m)

Tonnes

(7.2)%
363,200

27.8%
10,100

4.2%
$1.23/lb

(58.5)%
$555.0m

355,000–
365,000

Gold 

Ounces (2014 – 66,500)

(22.7)%
51,400

Copper  
production
’000 tonnes

7
.
3
0
4

3
.
5
0
4

3
1.
9
3

Net cash costs 

$/lb

6
8
.
0

2
.
3
6
3

5
6
3
-
5
5
3

6
1
1.

8
1
1.

3
2
1.

5
2
1.

12

13

14

15

16E

12

13

14

15

16E

Gold 

Ounces

45,000–
55,000

Tonnes

8,000–
9,000

Net cash costs 

$/lb

1.25

40  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

INPUTS

EXPLORATION

EVALUATION

CONSTRUCTION

EXTRACTION

PROCESSING

MARKETING

RESTORATION

OUTPUTS

Claim that the dam wall would not 
withstand extreme seismic events

In May 2015, the Court of Appeals of 
La Serena reversed a previous ruling by 
the trial Court of Los Vilos concluding that 
the design, construction and operation of 
the Mauro tailings dam had been properly 
undertaken according to best practices and 
that there was no evidence or indication 
that the dam constituted a threat to the 
Caimanes community. The decision of 
the Court of Appeal was then appealed 
by the Plaintiffs to the Supreme Court. 
The Supreme Court is expected to hear 
oral argument and issue a final decision 
during the first half of 2016.

Engagement with the 
Caimanes community

In April 2015, Los Pelambres initiated 
conversations with representatives of the 
Caimanes community and in September 
these were expanded to a formal consultation 
process with the whole community. The  
focus of the consultation was to discuss 
the community’s concerns regarding the 
Mauro dam, including the flow of a local 
stream and other topics of common interest, 
with the process being monitored by the 
Chilean branch of Transparency International. 
The community and the Company discussed 
the implementation of initiatives to improve 
the community’s access to water, address 
the concerns of some members of the 
community about the safety of the dam, 
improve the emergency communications 
plan and to set-up a development fund 
for the benefit of the community and local 
residents. Considerable progress has been 
made and agreement on a lasting solution to 
this long-standing issue is expected in 2016.

2015 Performance
Operating profit

Legal update 
El Mauro tailings dam

The Mauro tailings dam began operating in 
2008. Since then there have been a series 
of civil claims filed by some members of the 
Caimanes community seeking to stop the 
operation of the dam. Two ongoing claims 
allege the dam interferes with the rights 
of the Caimanes community: one on the 
grounds that it affects the flow and quality of 
the Pupío stream; and the other claiming that 
the tailings dam wall would not withstand an 
extreme seismic event. These claims have 
been through various courts and stages of 
appeal. Los Pelambres has always complied 
with all applicable laws, regulations and 
controls and has successfully defended 
its right to continue operating the dam.

Claim that the dam affects the flow and 
quality of the Pupío stream

In October 2014, the Supreme Court, by 
split decision, upheld an appeal filed by a 
section of the Caimanes community, and 
ordered Los Pelambres to submit a plan of 
works to ensure the operation of the tailings 
dam does not affect the normal flow and 
quality of the Pupío stream. In November 
2014, Los Pelambres submitted this plan 
to the Civil Court in Los Vilos. In March 
2015, that Court found that the plan was 
not sufficient to address the requirements 
of the Supreme Court order and ordered the 
partial or total demolition of the tailings dam 
wall. Los Pelambres appealed that decision, 
and in December 2015, the Appeal Court 
of La Serena ordered that a court appointed 
engineer review the work plan submitted 
by Los Pelambres and to propose remedies 
should their opinion be that the work plan 
is deficient. A decision is expected in 2016.

Operating profit at Los Pelambres was 
$555.0 million in 2015, compared with 
$1,337.8 million in 2014, reflecting lower 
realised prices and lower production. 
Realised copper prices fell to $2.24/lb 
from $2.95/lb, significantly impacting 
operating profits, with unit cash costs 
slightly increasing.

Production

Copper production was 363,200 tonnes in 
2015, which was slightly below the forecast 
for the year, and 7.2% below production 
in 2014 of 391,300 tonnes. The decrease 
in production was primarily due to lower 
throughput in the first quarter as a result 
of community protests as well as the higher 
proportion of harder ore being processed 
during 2015 which also affected recoveries. 

Molybdenum production for the year of 
10,100 tonnes was the highest since 2012 
and a 27.8% increase on 2014 as a new, 
higher grade area of the pit was mined. 
Gold production was 22.7% lower in 2015 
at 51,400 ounces, compared with 66,500 
ounces in 2014.

Cash costs

Cash costs before by-product credits were 
$1.51/lb, 3.8% lower than in 2014, primarily 
due to targeted cost savings being achieved 
and lower input prices such as energy and 
diesel. For the full year, energy costs were 
$116/MWh (including transmission and other 
charges), compared with $149/MWh in 
2014. Net cash costs for the full year 2015 
were $1.23/lb compared with $1.18/lb 
in 2014. This increase is mainly due to 
lower gold production and lower realised 
molybdenum prices, which almost halved. 

Total capital expenditure in 2015 was 
$203.1 million, which included the 
completion of the new mine facilities, 
a relocation of the water pumping 
system at the Mauro tailings dam and the 
replacement of a section of the tailings 
pipeline. Capital expenditure is expected 
to be approximately $185 million in 2016, 
reflecting slightly reduced sustaining 
investments in line with 2015.

 More details on this project can be found 
on page 49.

Antofagasta plc  41

STRATEGIC REPORTSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWOperational review 
Mining division
The existing core business

Legal update – Cerro Amarillo  
waste dump

In 2004, Los Pelambres received all of the 
required authorisations from the Chilean 
government to deposit a waste-rock dump 
(“Cerro Amarillo Waste Dump”) in its current 
location which, according to the then 
official Chilean maps (1996), was located 
within Chile. In 2007, Chile modified the 
official maps in this area without making 
the changes public. Los Pelambres stopped 
using the relevant area of the Cerro Amarillo 
Waste Dump in 2011.

In February 2012, a binational border 
commission, established to clarify the 
exact position of the Chile/Argentina border, 
determined accurately the location of the 
border in the area of the Cerro Amarillo 
Waste Dump, which showed that part 
of the Cerro Amarillo Waste Dump was 
located in Argentina.

In May 2014, Xstrata Pachón S.A. (“Xstrata 
Pachón”), a subsidiary of Glencore and 
the holder of the mining properties on the 
Argentinian side of the border, filed a claim 
against Los Pelambres before the Federal 
Court of San Juan, Argentina, alleging that 
Los Pelambres had unlawfully deposited 
waste-rock on its property.

Xstrata Pachón has also filed a criminal 
complaint before a different Federal Court 
of San Juan alleging that Los Pelambres 
had violated several Argentinian laws 
relating to the misappropriation of land, 
unlawful appropriation of water bodies and 
that people’s health was in jeopardy from 
the alleged contamination that the Cerro 
Amarillo Waste Dump might generate.

In both cases, Los Pelambres submitted 
preliminary objections to the Argentinian 
courts. These objections are still pending 
in relation to the civil claim and each 
party may appeal any decision on these 
preliminary objections to higher courts. 
In the criminal proceeding, the first instance 
Court dismissed the preliminary objections 
made by Los Pelambres, but this decision 
has been appealed.

The Cerro Amarillo Waste Dump is a pile 
of inert waste-rock and any potential future 
environmental impact could be easily 
prevented with the implementation of an 
environmental closure plan, which is the 
accepted and recommended practice. 
Los Pelambres has offered to implement 
a closure plan in line with the requirements 
of the Provincial Authorities of San 
Juan, but Xstrata Pachón has rejected 
this proposal outright, even though this 
solution would address all of the alleged 
environmental concerns. 

Los Pelambres will exercise all available 
legal avenues to defend its position and will 
continue to seek to reach an understanding 
with the relevant authorities in Argentina to 
allow the environmental closure of the Cerro 
Amarillo Waste Dump.

 Additional details of these claims are set out 
in Note 37 to the financial statements.

Power Purchase Agreements (“PPAs”) 

The El Arrayán wind farm, in which the 
Group has a 30% interest, supplies Los 
Pelambres with an average of 21MW of 
power under a 20-year PPA, which is around 
20% of the mine’s total energy requirement.

During 2015, Los Pelambres started 
receiving power under two other PPAs, 
one from a solar power provider and 
the other from a coal-fired station, that 
together provide another 46% of the mine’s 
power needs.

In the second half of 2016, Los Pelambres 
will start to receive power from another solar 
power provider, bringing the total amount 
of power supplied from non-traditional 
renewable sources to 33%. 

These PPAs, plus a new short-term PPA 
signed early in 2016, will reduce the 
variability and cost of Los Pelambres’ 
power over the coming years.

 For more information on these PPAs, 
please see page 49.

Outlook
Production

The forecast production for 2016 is 
expected to be 355–365,000 tonnes of 
payable copper, similar to the 363,200 
tonnes produced in 2015, 8–9,000 tonnes 
of molybdenum and 45–55,000 ounces 
of gold.

Cash costs

Cash costs before by-products credits 
for 2016 are forecast to be approximately  
$1.55/lb and net cash costs are forecast at 
approximately $1.25/lb. Lower throughput 
is expected due to a higher proportion 
of harder ore in the current phase and 
this in turn puts pressure on unit mining 
costs. Energy prices remain a key input 
cost for Los Pelambres and partly depend 
on precipitation levels in the region, 
where much of the power is generated 
by hydroelectricity. By the end of 2016, 
Los Pelambres will be receiving almost 
all of its power under long-term PPAs 
with wind, solar and coal-fired power 
generators, all of which are independent 
of precipitation levels. 

 More information on Los Pelambres’ sources 
of power is set out in Energy opportunities 
on page 51.

Innovative sustainability

Further information on pages 53 to 63.

42  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

INPUTS

EXPLORATION

EVALUATION

CONSTRUCTION

EXTRACTION

PROCESSING

MARKETING

RESTORATION

OUTPUTS

Centinela 

70% owned

Centinela was formed during 2014 from the merger of the Esperanza 
and El Tesoro mines. Centinela is located in Chile’s Antofagasta 
Region, 1,350 km north of Santiago, in an important mining region  
with sulphide and oxide deposits. 

It produces copper concentrate (containing gold and silver) through 
a milling and flotation process at Centinela Concentrates and copper 
cathodes using a solvent extraction electrowinning process (“SX-EW”) 
at Centinela Cathodes.

1

2

3

Mine lifecycle position

Start of operation: 2001
Remaining mine life: 43 years

Exploration

Evaluation

Construction

Production

2015 Production

2015 Financials

2016 Forecast

Copper in 
concentrate
Tonnes (2014 – 172,800)

(16.0)%
145,200

Copper cathode 

Net cash costs  

Tonnes (2014 – 93,800)

(2014 – $1.63/lb)

(19.1)%
75,900

13.5%
$1.85/lb

Operating  
profit/(loss)
(2014 – $464.4m)

(128.2)%
$(131.0)m

Copper 

Tonnes

Gold 

Ounces

240,000–
250,000

200,000–
220,000

Gold 

Copper production 

Net cash costs  

Net cash costs  

Ounces (2014 – 204,400)

’000 tonnes

$/lb

(20.5)%
162,500

1
.
5
0
1

2
.
3
6
1

6
.
2
0
1

9
.
4
7
1

3
.
3
9

8
.
2
7
1

5
6
0
6

-

5
8
1
-
5
7
1

9
.
5
7

2
.
5
4
1

3
6
0 1.
4
1.

5
8
1.

0
3
1.

9
9
.
0

$/lb

1.30

12

13

14

15

16E

12

13

14

15

16E

Copper in concentrate 

Copper cathodes

Antofagasta plc  43

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEW  
  
Operational review 
Mining division
The existing core business

The Group expects to 
complete the construction of 
the Encuentro Oxides project 
during 2017, which will provide 
feed to the Centinela SX-EW 
plant allowing it to operate 
near its peak capacity of 
100,000 tonnes per annum.

2015 Performance
Operating profit

The operating loss at Centinela was 
$131.0 million, compared with a profit of 
$464.4 million in 2014, reflecting higher 
net cash costs and lower realised copper 
prices. The realised copper price fell by 
24% from $3.02/lb in 2014 to $2.33/lb in 
2015, as did the realised gold price, which 
fell from $1,261/oz in 2014 to $1,159/oz in 
2015. The mine generated $290.7 million 
of operating cash flow during the year, 
compared with $841.6 million in 2014.

Production

Copper production decreased by 17.1% to 
221,100 tonnes compared with 2014, due 
to lower production of copper in concentrate 
and lower cathode production.

Copper in concentrate production was 
145,200 tonnes, a 16.0% decrease compared 
with 2014. Production decreased due to 
grades falling at Centinela Concentrates, 
as expected, from 0.65% to 0.58%, lower 
recoveries and, to a lesser extent, lower 
throughput. Gold production was 162,500 
ounces compared with 204,400 ounces 
in 2014, primarily due to lower grades 
and throughput, compounded by slightly 
lower recoveries. 

Copper cathode production for the year 
was 75,900 tonnes compared with 
the 93,800 tonnes produced in 2014. 
Compared with the same period last year, 
cathode production was 19.1% lower as 
grades declined as expected. Mining activity 
moved to the lower grade zones of the 
Tesoro Central and Tesoro Noreste (“TNE”) 
pits before stopping at TNE in November.

Cash costs

Cash costs before by-product credits 
increased by 7.1% to $2.27/lb compared 
with $2.12/lb in 2014 as copper production 
fell by 17.1%. This was offset by lower 
input prices, a weaker Chilean peso and a 
reduction in fixed costs. Net cash costs for 
2015 were $1.85/lb compared with $1.63/
lb in 2014. This increase is due to the higher 
cash costs before by-product credits as 
well as lower gold production and realised 
gold prices. 

Capital expenditure was $559.4 million, 
including approximately $472 million in 
respect of optimisation and development 
projects. Total capital expenditure in 
2016 is expected to be approximately 
$430 million, including $247 million related 
to the construction of the Encuentro Oxides 
and the molybdenum plant projects.

At Centinela in 2015, cash stripping costs 
of $63 million were capitalised, and in 2016 
a further $265 million of stripping costs are 
expected to be capitalised.

 More information on these projects can be found 
on pages 48 to 51.

Outlook
Production

The forecast for 2016 is for production of 
240–250,000 tonnes of payable copper and 
200–220,000 ounces of gold. This forecast 
includes 60,000–65,000 tonnes of copper 
cathodes and 175,000–185,000 tonnes of 
copper in concentrate. The Group expects to 
complete the construction of the Encuentro 
Oxides project during 2017, which will 
provide feed to the Centinela SX-EW plant 
allowing it to operate near its peak capacity 
of 100,000 tonnes per annum.

Cash costs

Cash costs before by-products for 2016 
are forecast to be approximately $1.80/lb 
compared with $2.27/lb in 2015. Net cash 
costs are forecast at approximately $1.30/lb.  
Net cash costs are sensitive to the gold 
price, with each $100/oz movement in the 
realised gold price having a $0.04/lb impact 
on net cash costs in 2016.

In 2015, the Group commenced 
construction of a separate molybdenum 
plant that would produce approximately 
3,500 tonnes per year of molybdenum 
over the remaining life of the mine. 
Production is expected to commence 
in 2017.

Innovative sustainability

Further information on pages 53 to 63.

44  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

INPUTS

EXPLORATION

EVALUATION

CONSTRUCTION

EXTRACTION

PROCESSING

MARKETING

RESTORATION

OUTPUTS

Michilla 

99% owned

Michilla was placed on care and maintenance at the end of 2015.  
The mine produced copper cathodes from a leachable sulphide  
and oxide deposit located in Chile’s Antofagasta Region,  
1,500 km north of Santiago. 

1

2

3

Mine lifecycle position

Start of operation: 1959
Remaining mine life: 0 years

Exploration Evaluation

Construction Production

2015 Production

2015 Financials

Copper 

Tonnes (2014 – 47,000)

(37.4)%
29,400

Copper  
production
’000 tonnes

0
7.
4

7
7.
3

3
.
8
3

4
.
9
2

Cash costs 

(2014 – $2.38/lb)

(10.1)%
$2.14/lb

Operating  
profit/(loss)
(2014 – $(29.0)m)

(153.1)%
$15.4m

12

13

14

15

Cash costs 

$/lb

8
1
.
3

2
2
.
3

8
3
.
2

4
1
.
2

12

13

14

15

2015 Performance
Operating profit

Michilla had an operating profit of 
$15.4 million, compared to an operating 
loss of $29.0 million in 2014, which was 
its last full year of production. The mine 
was put on care and maintenance at the 
end of 2015. 

Production

Total production was 29,400 tonnes of 
copper cathodes, a decrease of 37.4% on 
the 2014 production of 47,000 tonnes as 
operations were wound down in the lead 
up to the mine closure. 

Cash costs

Cash costs decreased to $2.14/lb in 
2015 compared with $2.38/lb in 2014. 
This decrease is due to the reduced activity 
at the mine.

Innovative sustainability

Further information on pages 53 to 63.

Antofagasta plc  45

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWOperational review 
Mining division
The existing core business

Antucoya 

70% owned

Antucoya is an oxide deposit approximately 125 km north-
east of the city of Antofagasta, in Chile’s Antofagasta Region. 
Construction of the project was completed in 2015 with full 
production expected to occur by the end of the first half 
of 2016. Antucoya will produce 85,000 tonnes of copper 
cathodes per year.

1

2

3

Mine lifecycle position

Start of operation: 2016
Remaining mine life: 20 years

Exploration

Evaluation

Construction

Production

2015 Production

2016 Forecast

Copper 

Tonnes

12,200

Copper  
production
’000 tonnes

0
7
-
5
6

2
.
2
1
15

16E

Copper 

Cash costs 

Tonnes

65,000–
70,000

$/lb

1.65

2015 Performance
Production

Total production in 2015 was 12,200 tonnes 
of copper cathodes, as production started 
in the third quarter of 2015. The mine is 
currently ramping up to full capacity of 
85,000 tonnes per year in the first half 
of 2016.

Cash costs

Cash costs at Antucoya will be reported in 
unit costs once commercial production is 
achieved, which is expected to be in the 
first half of 2016.

Total capital expenditure on the project has 
been $1.9 billion of which $143.4 million 
was in 2015.

Outlook

Cathode production in 2016 is forecast to 
be approximately 65,000–70,000 tonnes. 

The forecast cash costs for 2016 are 
expected to be $1.65/lb.

The final $59 million of project capital 
expenditure will be incurred in 2016.

Innovative sustainability

Further information on pages 53 to 63.

46  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

INPUTS

EXPLORATION

EVALUATION

CONSTRUCTION

EXTRACTION

PROCESSING

MARKETING

RESTORATION

OUTPUTS

Zaldívar 

50% owned Joint Venture

Zaldívar is an open-pit, heap-leach copper oxide mine operating 
at an average elevation of 3,000 metres approximately 
1,400 km north of Santiago and 175 km south-east of the 
city of Antofagasta. The Group completed the acquisition 
of a 50% interest in the mine from Barrick Gold Corporation 
on 1 December 2015 and is the operator of the mine. 

1

2

3

Mine lifecycle position

Exploration

Evaluation

Construction

Production

Start of operation: 1995
Remaining mine life: 14 years

2015 Performance
Acquisition

In December 2015, the Group completed 
the acquisition of a 50% interest of the 
Zaldívar mine from Barrick Gold Corporation. 
Total consideration for the transaction 
was $1,005 million, $980 million upon 
closing less working capital adjustments 
and five annual payments of $5 million 
each, starting in 2016. The final price will 
be determined once the working capital 
adjustments are finalised.

2015 Production1

2016 Forecast

Production

Copper 

Tonnes (2014 – 100,698)

4,400

Copper  
production
’000 tonnes

5
5
-
0
5

4
.
4

15

16E

Copper 

Cash costs 

Tonnes

50,000–
55,000

$/lb

1.80

1  Represents attributable production since 1 December 2015.
2 Capital expenditures represent Antofagasta’s share. 

Total attributable production in 2015 from 
the completion date was 4,400 tonnes 
of copper cathodes.

Cash costs

Cash costs at Zaldívar since completion in 
2015 were $1.73/lb and capital expenditure 
was $6.6 million.

Outlook

Attributable copper production in 2016 
is forecast to be approximately 50,000–
55,000 tonnes at a cash cost of $1.80/lb. 

Capital expenditure2 in 2016 is expected 
to be approximately $55 million, of which 
$26 million will be spent on stripping. 

Innovative sustainability

Further information on pages 53 to 63.

Antofagasta plc  47

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWOperational review 
Mining division
Growth projects and opportunities

The Group seeks to expand its copper production in Chile and 
abroad through the development of projects and other potential 
opportunities. Brownfield development within the Group’s 
Los Pelambres and Centinela mining districts in Chile remain 
the primary focus for maximising value while managing risks 
associated with execution.

1

2

3

2   Centinela

During 2015, work continued on optimising 
Centinela’s concentrator plant to bring the 
level of throughput to the original design 
capacity of 97,000 tonnes per day and 
later to 105,000 tonnes per day. The first 
stage, including the installation of two 
tailings thickeners, crushing equipment 
and flotation cells, was completed during 
the year. The second stage, carried out 
simultaneously, involves the installation 
of a sixth tailings thickener at the plant 
as well as the purchase of further mining 
equipment. This will allow throughput to 
increase to 105,000 tonnes per day while 
producing thickened tailings with a solids 
content of approximately 65%. As at the 
end of December 2015, throughput could 
be maintained at the increased rate, but not 
while producing tailings with the required 
moisture content. To do this will require the 
completion of the final thickener, which is 
expected in the first half of 2016.

2   Molybdenum Plant

This project will allow Centinela to produce 
2,400 tonnes of molybdenum per year. 
The project is being delayed to preserve 
cash in 2016 and is now expected to 
be completed in 2017, and will lower 
Centinela’s unit net cash costs. 

The Group has a portfolio of longer-term 
growth options and continues to assess 
opportunities that come to market. 
Long-term growth options associated within 
the Group’s portfolio are currently under 
evaluation in pre-feasibility and feasibility 
studies. Given the early-stage nature of 
some of these projects, their potential 
and timing is inherently uncertain and the 
following outline is intended to provide 
only a high-level indication of potential 
opportunities. In the current uncertain 
market conditions, growth is not a priority 
but the Group seeks to keep its expansion 
options open for when conditions improve.

The Group’s exploration and evaluation 
expenditure decreased by 39% to 
$101.9 million in 2015 compared with 
$167.5 million in 2014. As commodity 
prices decline and there is greater 
emphasis on cost control, there is a natural 
decrease in exploration and evaluation 
expense reflecting a tighter focus on 
high-potential activities.

Projects under construction

2   Encuentro Oxides

The Encuentro Oxides deposit is within 
the Centinela Mining District. It is expected 
to produce an average of approximately 
43,000 tonnes of copper cathode per 
year over an eight-year period, utilising the 
existing capacity at Centinela’s SX-EW plant. 
This will enable the plant to produce at full 
capacity of 100,000 tonnes per annum 
for a number of years once the project is 
complete, helping to offset a decline in 
production that would otherwise occur 
due to falling mined grades at Centinela’s 
existing oxide pits. 

The construction budget for the project 
of $636 million was approved by the Board 
at the end of 2014.

The project entails the installation of new 
crushing and heap-leach facilities at the 
Encuentro Oxides deposit, a pipeline to 
take the leach solution for processing at the 
existing SX-EW plant some 17 km away, and 
the extension of the sea water pipeline from 
Centinela to Encuentro. Higher-grade ore 
will be crushed and sent to the new heap-
leach facilities, while lower-grade ore will be 
processed later on a Run-of-Mine (“ROM”) 
leach pad.

This deposit is geologically important for 
the Group’s long-term development plan, 
as Encuentro Oxides sits on top of the 
much larger Encuentro Sulphide deposit. 
The Encuentro Oxides project will act as 
a funded pre-strip for the sulphide deposit 
below, opening it up for development 
as part of the Centinela Second 
Concentrator project. 

Pre-stripping started in August 2014 and 
full-scale construction in early 2015. As of 
the end of December 2015, the project had 
achieved over 50% completion with first 
production originally expected in late 2016, 
but now delayed to the second half of 2017 
to reduce expenditure during 2016.

As at the end of December, the project 
was on time and on budget with 53% total 
progress (including design, engineering, 
procurement and construction) with first 
production originally expected in late 2016, 
but now delayed to the second half of 2017 
to preserve cash flow without impacting the 
return of the project.

48  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

INPUTS

EXPLORATION

EVALUATION

CONSTRUCTION

EXTRACTION

PROCESSING

MARKETING

RESTORATION

OUTPUTS

Brownfield growth projects
The Group recognises the importance 
of capital cost control and optimising 
production from existing operations, and 
manages this by constantly monitoring the 
efficiency of its mines, plants and transport 
infrastructure. Where possible, it conducts 
debottlenecking and incremental plant 
expansions to increase throughput and 
improve overall efficiencies. However, in 
current market circumstances the Group 
seeks to defer these projects, minimising 
expenditure while keeping the project teams 
active and focusing on completion of key 
time-critical feasibility study work, such as 
the preparation of EIAs.

2   Los Pelambres  

Incremental Expansion

During the year, the Group revised the 
approach to the incremental expansion 
of Los Pelambres and decided to split 
the project into two phases to ease the 
development of the project and conserve 
development capital in light of lower 
commodity prices. This two-phase strategy 
was approved by the Board during the year 
and the feasibility study is now underway.

Phase 1

This phase is to optimise throughput at 
the operation within the limits set by the 
existing operating, environmental and 
water extraction permits, which will only 
need relatively simple updates. During this 
phase, Los Pelambres will operate at an 
average throughput of 190,000 tonnes per 
day with the addition of a new grinding 
and flotation circuit, to mitigate the hard 
ore currently being mined, together with 
a 400l/s desalination plant and pipeline. 
Desalinated water will be pumped to the 
tailing storage facility at Mauro where 
it will connect with the water recycling 
circuit that returns water from the tailings 
facility to the Los Pelambres processing 
plant. The feasibility study is underway and 
includes the preparation and submission of 
an updated EIA for this phase, which should 
be ready for submission in the first half 
of 2016.

Capital expenditure for this project is 
estimated at approximately $1.1 billion, 
with some $600 million allocated to the 
additional crushing and flotation circuits and 
the balance for the desalination plant and 
water pipeline. The Board will consider the 
feasibility study for this project for approval 
in late 2016 or in 2017, but a decision to 
proceed will only be made once market 
conditions are suitable and an approved 
EIA is in place. Production would commence 
in late 2019 at the earliest. 

Phase 2

In this phase, the Group will seek to increase 
throughput to 205,000 tonnes per day 
and to extend the mine’s life beyond the 
currently approved 22 years. As part of the 
development of this phase, a new EIA must 
be submitted to increase the capacity of the 
mine’s Mauro tailings storage facility and 
its waste dumps.

Capital expenditure for this phase of the 
project is estimated at approximately 
$500 million, with the majority of the 
expenditure being on mining equipment, 
additional crushing and grinding capacity 
and flotation cells. The conveyors from the 
primary crusher to the concentrator plant 
will have to be repowered to support the 
additional throughput. The critical studies 
(tailings and waste storage capacity), 
is being conducted in parallel with the 
feasibility study for Phase 1 and should be 
completed by the end of 2017. However, 
it will only proceed following a decision 
on Phase 1 and will in addition require the 
preparation and submission of various 
permit applications, including an EIA. 
At the earliest, first production from  
this phase would be in 2022.

Greenfield growth projects

2   Centinela Second Concentrator

The Group continues to evaluate options for 
the development of the Centinela Mining 
District, a key area for longer-term growth.

The second concentrator will be built some 
7 km from Centinela’s current concentrator. 
It is expected to have an ore throughput 
capacity of approximately 90,000 tonnes per 
day, with annual production of approximately 
140,000 tonnes of copper, 150,000 ounces 
of gold and 3,000 tonnes of molybdenum. 
It is currently planned that ore will first be 
sourced from the Esperanza Sur deposit 
and, once mining at Encuentro Oxides is 
completed, ore will also be sourced from 
Encuentro Sulphides.

The pre-feasibility study for this $2.7 billion 
project was completed at the end of 2015 
and the preparation of the feasibility study 
is now underway. The EIA was submitted 
in 2015, with the outcome expected during 
2016. The feasibility study is expected to 
be completed by the middle of 2017 and 
will include pilot testing of a hydraulic roll 
crushing system which is being considered 
in preference to conventional SAG and ball 
mills. A decision to proceed with the project 
will only be made if it is supported by the 
market outlook at the time. If approval 
is granted in 2017, production would 
be expected to begin in 2020.

Antofagasta plc  49

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWOperational review 
Mining division
Growth projects and opportunities

The Group’s international 
exploration strategy is to rapidly 
and effectively identify, secure 
and evaluate high-quality 
copper exploration projects.

The project team continues to review 
options for reducing the capital cost of 
the project, including the use of existing 
infrastructure (power lines, pipelines, 
concentrate shipping and other facilities) 
as well as using a larger owner’s team, 
as opposed to an EPCM contractor, together 
with other initiatives.

Following the completion of the second 
concentrator, there is scope to increase 
the plant capacity further and the Group 
is considering the possibility and timing 
of such an expansion. This could bring 
throughput capacity to approximately 
150,000 tonnes per day and would 
increase annual production to approximately 
200,000 tonnes of copper, 170,000 ounces 
of gold and 1,100 tonnes of molybdenum. 
The Board has approved feasibility level 
studies to commence on critical activities 
and will review the project upon completion 
of those studies.

The Group continues to evaluate other 
opportunities in the Centinela Mining 
District, the most significant of which is Polo 
Sur. This deposit has a resource of 1.5 billion 
tonnes at 0.34% copper together with gold 
and molybdenum, and includes 125.5 million 
tonnes of copper oxides at 0.40% copper 
and some additional leachable supergene 
sulphides. The deposit is approximately 
35 km from Centinela and the oxides 
may act as an additional source of feed 
for its SX-EW plant in the future.

3   United States –  

Twin Metals Minnesota

Twin Metals Minnesota LLC (“Twin Metals”) 
is a copper, nickel and platinum group 
metals (“PGM”) underground-mining project 
that holds the Maturi, Maturi Southwest, 
Birch Lake and Spruce Road copper-nickel-
PGM deposits located in north-eastern 
Minnesota, USA.

The Group completed the acquisition of its 
project partner in January 2015, bringing 
Antofagasta’s ownership in the project 
to 100%. 

During 2015, the Group has been 
undertaking evaluation and optimisation 
exercises on the pre-feasibility study 
that was completed in 2014 and has 
also progressed with geotechnical studies 
and hydrological fieldwork required to 
support future environmental reviews 
and permitting.

3   Other exploration and  
evaluation activities

The Group has an active early-stage 
exploration programme beyond the 
existing core locations of the Centinela 
and Los Pelambres mining districts. This is 
conducted through its in-house exploration 
team and through partnerships with third 
parties to build a portfolio of longer-term 
opportunities across Chile and the rest 
of the world.

2   Los Pelambres

Chile

Given the size of the resource, which at 
6.1 billion tonnes is more than three times 
the quantity of processed ore expected 
under the existing mine plan, there is 
significant scope to increase the plant 
capacity beyond the 205,000 tonnes per 
day planned for Phase 2 of the incremental 
expansion project. Such an expansion will 
require extensive engineering works and 
permitting as well as the support of local 
communities and currently no significant 
evaluation work is planned.

The Group focuses its exploration activities 
on the main copper porphyry belts in 
northern and central Chile.

During the year, 45.6 million tonnes of 
mineral inventory relating to the Llano-
Paleocanal project was upgraded to mineral 
resource, demonstrating the Group’s 
ability to continually expand and develop 
its resource base. The 2015 programme 
resulted in increasing mineral resources 
at the Los Volcanes project and the Polo 
Sur deposits by 831.3 million tonnes, 
through exploration and in-fill drilling and 
the completion of the geological and 
resource models.

The Group has land holdings throughout 
Chile and in some instances conducts 
exploration under agreements with the 
landowners or the state.

 Further information regarding reserves and 
resources is included on pages 186 to 193.

50  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

INPUTS

EXPLORATION

EVALUATION

CONSTRUCTION

EXTRACTION

PROCESSING

MARKETING

RESTORATION

OUTPUTS

Antofagasta has a 30% interest 
in Parque Eólico El Arrayán 
SpA, which operates the 
largest wind farm in Chile.

International

El Arrayán

The Group’s international exploration 
strategy is to rapidly and effectively identify, 
secure and evaluate high-quality copper 
exploration projects in preferred jurisdictions 
in the Americas, Australia-Oceania 
and Africa.

During 2015, the Group refined its portfolio 
of early-stage exploration projects in 
key copper provinces across the globe. 
Working in partnership with selected 
companies, both public and private, the 
Group advanced projects in Argentina, 
Australia, Canada, Chile, Mexico and 
Zambia, while exiting from projects in 
Australia, Canada, Finland and Portugal.

The Group’s strategy is to partner with 
experienced junior exploration companies, 
funding their exploration programmes 
to earn an interest in the projects while 
benefiting from their local knowledge 
and expertise.

3   Energy assets

Over the last few years, the Group has 
acquired a series of minority interests in 
energy generators and projects as part of 
its strategy to support the power supply 
requirements of the mining operations. 
The strategy has a particular focus on 
renewable energy generation, supporting 
the Group’s broader aim of increasing the 
sustainability of its operations. Over the last 
five years, the Group has invested some 
$577 million in power-generating assets, 
with combined installed capacity of 880MW 
(100% basis), of which, at the end of 2015, 
350MW (100% basis), were in operation.

 Further information regarding the Chilean 
energy market is included in the Key inputs 
and cost base section on pages 19 to 21.

Energía Andina

The Group has a 50% interest in Energía 
Andina S.A., a joint venture with Origin 
Energy Limited of Australia, that has a 
minority position in the Javiera solar project 
in the Atacama Desert. This has been 
supplying Los Pelambres with some 20MW 
of power since June 2015.

 For further information on Los Pelambres’ 
energy supply, please see page 42.

Antofagasta has a 30% interest in Parque 
Eólico El Arrayán SpA, which operates the 
largest wind farm in Chile, about 400 km 
north of Santiago. The plant supplies 
40MW of power to Los Pelambres, 
accounting for approximately 20% of its 
total power requirement, under a 20-year 
supply contract.

Inversiones Hornitos

The Group holds a 40% interest in 
Inversiones Hornitos S.A. (“Inversiones 
Hornitos”) through its transport division. 
Inversiones Hornitos operates a 
165MW thermoelectric power plant in 
Mejillones, in Chile’s Antofagasta Region. 
Inversiones Hornitos supplies Centinela 
under long-term PPAs.

Alto Maipo

Los Pelambres holds a 40% interest in the 
531MW Alto Maipo run-of-river hydroelectric 
project which is operated by the AES 
Gener group and is in the upper section 
of the Maipo river, approximately 50 km 
south-east of Santiago. Construction is 
underway and is expected to be completed 
in 2019. The Group is contributing its share 
of the expected $2.1 billion capital cost 
of which $1.2 billion is being funded by 
project financing. The Group has signed two 
20-year PPAs that will secure the provision 
of energy to Los Pelambres for up to 
160MW. The first PPA started in 2015 with 
power coming from a coal-fired station and 
the second will start on completion of the 
project in 2019.

Solar energy

Los Pelambres has long-term PPAs with 
two solar power providers for a total of 
50MW of power, approximately 25% of its 
total energy requirement. The first of these 
PPAs came on stream in 2015 (see Energía 
Andina above) and the second should 
come on stream in the second half of 2016. 
These PPAs provide a secure renewable 
energy supply to Los Pelambres for a 
20-year period at competitive prices.

Innovative sustainability

Further information on pages 53 to 63.

Antofagasta plc  51

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWOperational review 
Transport

Transported in 2015

6.8m tonnes

2015 Tonnage transported

Combined rail and road tonnage 
’000 tonnes (2014 – 7,302)

(6.8)%
6,805

2016 Financials

Operating profit $m (2014 – 51.0)

(17.7)%
$42.0m

The transport division provides rail and road cargo services 
in northern Chile. The main business during 2015 was the 
transport of copper cathodes, and increasingly concentrate and 
sulphuric acid, to and from mines in the Antofagasta Region. 

The transport division typically provides 
services to customers, who are mostly 
major mining companies, under long-
term contracts, often with agreed pricing 
levels. These are subject to adjustments 
for inflation and movements in fuel 
prices. The division offers domestic and 
international cargo transfer, shipment and 
storage services.

The transport division also owns Forestal 
S.A., which manages the Group’s forestry 
assets. Forestal’s two properties, Releco-
Puñir and Huilo-Huilo, comprise some 
25,000 hectares of native forest near the 
Panguipulli and Neltume lakes, in Chile’s 
Region de Los Lagos. During 2015, Forestal 
continued its regular forestation, fertilisation 
and thinning programme.

Innovative sustainability

Sustainability is an important part of the 
ethos of the transport division, not only 
in terms of ensuring the safe transport of 
cargos and zero harm, but also from the 
perspective of minimising the impact of 
the division’s transport operations on the 
communities in which it operates. 

The transport division provides rigorous 
safety and health training for all of its 
employees and contractors. The division 
has also established safety procedures and 
measures to prevent accidents and ensure 
public safety, such as installing traffic lights 
and clear signage at railway crossings, 
regular road maintenance and the regular 
clearance of rubbish from beside the 
railway lines.

Sustainability is one of the pillars of the 
division’s new operating model. This focus 
will not only benefit the environment and the 
communities in which the division operates, 
but will also enhance shareholder value 
as stronger relationships are developed 
with all stakeholders. During 2016, there 
will be increased interaction with the 
communities and increased transparency 
in what the division does. This greater 
level of engagement should lead to greater 
understanding between all stakeholders and 
provide benefits for all in the short, medium 
and long term.

The transport division’s total volumes 
transported were lower in 2015, falling to 
6.8 million tonnes, compared to 7.3 million 
tonnes in 2014. Shipments for the year were 
lower than had originally been expected 
due to the Sierra Gorda mine’s slower than 
planned ramp-up and the effects of the 
heavy rains in northern Chile during the first 
half of the year.

Revenue at the transport division was 
$152.4 million, a 5.3% decrease compared 
to $160.9 million in 2014, reflecting lower 
tonnage and a decrease in tariffs due to 
lower oil prices and the weaker Chilean 
peso (tariffs are set in pesos). 

Operating profit fell to $42.0 million in 2015, 
mainly reflecting the decrease in tonnage 
and tariffs. Capital expenditure in 2015 was 
$32.0 million compared to $21.2 million 
in 2014.

During the year, the division adopted a new 
operating model based on sustainability, 
productivity and cost management. 
As commodity prices declined during 
the year, volumes being transported in 
northern Chile fell. The division introduced 
a new model to control costs and optimise 
the efficiency of its assets, particularly its 
rolling stock. During the year, the division 
also provided new services on a spot basis 
to the El Abra and Spence mines for the 
transport of sulphuric acid.

The division operates its own railway 
network, with access to neighbouring 
countries and to the two largest ports 
in the Antofagasta Region, Mejillones 
and Antofagasta. The Antofagasta port 
is managed by ATI, in which the Group 
holds a minority non-controlling interest.

52  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Operational review 
Managing a sustainable business

Sustainable development is an essential component of the 
Group’s decision-making process and business model.

To achieve this aim, the Group is committed to the continuous 
assessment and improvement of safety, health, environmental 
and social performance across all of its business operations.

The Group respects the 
rights of its employees and 
contractors, as well as those 
of everyone that comes into 
contact with the business.

Sustainability focus

Reporting on progress

This section of the Annual Report 
summarises the Group’s sustainability 
performance in 2015. The 2015 
Sustainability Report is published separately 
and is available at www.antofagasta.co.uk.

The 2015 Sustainability Report is the 
Company’s ninth and has been prepared 
in accordance with the Global Reporting 
Initiative (“GRI”) G4 reporting standards 
and verified by PricewaterhouseCoopers. 
The Report also covers the mining 
division’s compliance with the ICMM’s 
ten sustainable development principles.

Los Pelambres and Centinela Cathodes 
are certified under the international 
standards ISO 14001, ISO 9001 and 
OHSAS 18001. Until its closure, Michilla 
was certified under ISO 9001 and 
OHSAS 18001 and had a management 
system in line with ISO 14001.

The Group’s sustainability priorities are 
those issues of material risk to the business, 
its employees and contractors, to the 
environment in which it operates and 
to the Group’s national and international 
stakeholders. In 2015, the Group built upon 
the materiality assessment carried out in 
2014 addressing high risk and high impact 
areas. Specifically, the Group focused on 
the following:

• implementing its new community 

engagement approach, strengthening 
its social licence to operate on the basis of 
regular dialogue and agreed contributions 
to the communities in which the 
Group operates;

• developing human capital – finding, 

developing and maintaining a high-quality 
and committed workforce to achieve the 
Group´s business strategy;

• auditing and assessing business 

operations to ensure safe work practices 
and strengthening leadership and 
operating procedures in higher risk areas;

• identifying opportunities to improve the 
efficient use of water, energy and other 
natural resources; and

• developing the first Group-wide response 

to climate change.

While there were significant highlights in 
2015, regrettably the Group suffered the 
loss of a contractor at the Michilla mine. 
In addition, there were protests by the 
Salamanca community, close to Los 
Pelambres, concerning water shortages 
in the region.

Antofagasta plc  53

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWOperational review 
Managing a sustainable business

Environmental and social governance

Why it matters
Antofagasta is committed to high levels of corporate environmental 
and social governance, starting with leadership from the Board of 
Directors. The Board is responsible for ensuring that sustainability  
is embedded in all decisions throughout the mining cycle.

The Board is supported by five committees 
including the Sustainability and Stakeholder 
Management Committee whose role is to 
oversee implementation of the Company’s 
safety, environmental and social policies and 
standards. This Committee met six times 
in 2015.

At the operational level, the transport 
division and each mining company has 
its own sustainability manager responsible 
for environmental, community, public affairs 
and communication issues.

  Further information regarding the Sustainability 
and Stakeholder Management Committee is 
included on pages 93 and 94.

Upholding Ethical Standards and Values

The Group’s Code of Ethics and 
Crime Prevention Handbook set out 
the responsibilities of employees 
and contractors in relation to human 
rights, corruption and bribery, codes of 
conduct, complaints management and 
whistleblowing. The Code reflects the 
Group’s core values of:

• Respect

• Sustainability

• Excellence

• Safety and health

• Innovation

• Forward-thinking

Employees and contractors are trained 
in the Code and are encouraged to 
report any unethical conduct through 
established channels.

Respecting Human Rights

The Group respects the rights of its 
employees and contractors, as well as those 
of everyone that comes into contact with 
the business. This is reflected in the Group’s 
commitments to employees, contractors 
and local communities:

Employees and contractors
• High safety and health standards

• Fair wages and good labour relations

• Prevention of discrimination, harassment 

and bullying

• Opportunities for training and development

• Provision of good-quality accommodation, 
services and facilities at the operations

Communities
• Prevention of corruption and malpractices

• Prevention or mitigation of environmental 

and social impacts

• Respect for communities’ rights, culture 

and heritage

• Engagement in dialogue through the 

mining cycle from exploration to closure

• Listening and responding to grievances

• Support for community development

The Group is sensitive to the different 
cultures, ethnicity and diversity of the 
places in which we operate. None of the 
Group’s current operations or projects 
involve indigenous people, however, 
Antofagasta has had some very early-
stage, short-term exploration activities 
which have required engagement with 
indigenous communities. The Group has 
been successful in maintaining a respectful 
and mutually beneficial relationship in 
accordance with ILO Convention 169 
and ICMM recommendations.

54  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

ICMM and FTSE4Good

Antofagasta Minerals was accepted as 
a member of the International Council 
on Mining and Metals (“ICMM”) in May 
2014. The ICMM was founded in 2001 
to improve sustainable development 
in the mining and minerals industries. 
Member companies are required 
to improve their sustainability 
performance based on ten guiding 
principles and to report on their 
progress annually using the GRI 
G4 standard. In 2015, Antofagasta 
Minerals worked towards closing the 
gaps identified during its application 
to ICMM.

In June 2015, the Company was 
added as a constituent of the 
FTSE4Good Index. This index 
is made up of companies with 
strong Environmental, Social and 
Governance (“ESG”) practices as 
measured against 300 indicators, 
14 themes and three pillars as 
assessed by FTSE International.

Environmental protection

Why it matters
Mining operations can have significant environmental impacts 
and concern for long-term environmental integrity, including 
climate change impacts, is high and of increasing public interest. 
Mining involves the alteration of habitats, the use of water and energy 
resources, the generation of noise and air emissions and of large 
quantities of waste-rock, spent ore and tailings. Legal permits, the 
social licence to operate and good community relations all depend 
on sound environmental stewardship.

Compliance

Optimising water resources

Environmental protection is highly regulated 
in Chile. Mining projects must undergo a 
stringent environmental impact assessment, 
including social and heritage aspects. If the 
project is approved by the National Agency 
for Environmental Assessment, its impact 
prevention, mitigation and compensation 
measures are included in the Environmental 
Approval Resolution (“RCA”). They become 
legally-binding and are subject to review by 
the Environmental Agency. Non-compliance 
with RCA commitments can result in fines 
and eventual revocation of the operational 
permit. In 2015, the Group submitted the 
EIA for the construction of the Centinela 
Second Concentrator project.

Water is a scarce and valuable commodity 
in the centre and north of Chile, particularly 
in the Choapa Valley near Los Pelambres, 
which is a key area for agricultural 
production. Water availability is increasingly 
affected by changes in the climate and 
the prolonged drought in central Chile 
is an ongoing concern.

The Group’s priority is to ensure that it 
has sufficient water to operate without 
compromising the quality or availability 
of water for the local community.

Antofagasta is always looking at ways 
to minimise the use of continental water 
resources through increased efficiency and 
the use of sea water as it does in its Michilla, 
Centinela and Antucoya operations.

The Group has achieved high water reuse 
rates of up to 72% at each operation. 
The remainder of the water either 
evaporates or remains in the tailings dam 
with no discharge to the environment. 
In 2015, the mining division consumed 
45.2 million m3 of water and sea water 
accounted for 45.6% of it, up from 
44.6 million m3 and 44% in 2014.

All of the Group’s mining operations have 
water management plans and water 
quality monitoring results are submitted 
to the Water Bureau and Health Service. 
Since 2012, the Choapa community has 
also been actively involved in water quality 
monitoring. In addition, Los Pelambres 
provides direct financial support to local 
farmers in the Choapa valley for water 
efficiency projects such as large-scale 
drip irrigation schemes and the lining 
of irrigation canals.

Key Water Indicators

•  Total water consumption 

•  % water supply from sea water

•  Zero water discharged

•  % water recirculated

Antofagasta plc  55

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWOperational review 
Managing a sustainable business

Managing waste

Large-scale mining operations generate 
waste rock, spent ore and tailings – the 
material left over after the process of 
separating the valuable portion of the ore 
from the uneconomic portion. Michilla, 
Antucoya and Centinela Cathodes, which 
use leaching to produce copper, have fully 
permitted spent ore dumps. Los Pelambres 
and Centinela Concentrates, which use 
flotation, deposit their waste in licensed 
tailings storage facilities.

Centinela is the first mine in the world to 
use thickened tailings technology on this 
scale. It provides many advantages including 
greater water efficiency and stability and 
better dust control.

Other solid (non-mining) wastes are 
segregated and stored prior to final disposal 
in compliance with Chilean regulations.

The Group has pioneered the use of 
thickened tailings deposits, which have 
a lower environmental impact.

Sustainable energy

In 2015, energy accounted for approximately 
15% of the total operating costs of the 
mining division. Total energy demand is 
rising as production grows, transportation 
distances increase and ore grades 
decline as the Group’s operations get 
older. There is also greater use of sea 
water, which needs to be pumped to 
the mine sites.

Investment in new and clean energy 
sources has major commercial as well 
as environmental benefits.

To date, the Group has secured renewable 
energy from two principal sources:

• El Arrayán is the largest wind farm in Chile 
with an installed capacity of 115MW and 
is operated by Pattern Energy. El Arrayán 
provided approximately 20% of Los 
Pelambres’ energy in 2015 and operates 
under a long-term PPA; and

• Javiera solar (photovoltaic) farm in 
the Atacama Desert is operated by 
SunEdison. The farm has an installed 
capacity of 69.5MW covering a site of 
180 hectares and supplies Los Pelambres 
with approximately 10% of its total 
energy requirement.

By the end of 2015, the Group´s biggest 
operation, Los Pelambres, was being 
supplied with 33% of its energy from 
renewable sources and this is expected 
to reach 80% by 2019.

With a core focus on resource efficiency, 
the Group seeks to further reduce energy 
consumption per unit of production and 
increase the percentage of total energy 
generated from renewable sources.

El Mauro  
tailings dam

Los Pelambres has two tailings 
dams. Since 2008, its tailings have 
been deposited in the Mauro Dam, 
located in the Pupio Valley 13 km from 
Caimanes, the nearest community. 
With a capacity of 1.7 billion tonnes, 
it was designed to withstand extreme 
weather conditions and severe 
earthquakes. This was tested in 
September 2015, when a major 
earthquake of magnitude 8.3 on the 
Richter scale struck off the coast of 
Chile, some 100 km from El Mauro. 
The dam continued to operate as 
normal and there was no structural 
damage to the infrastructure. 
Immediately after the earthquake, 
Los Pelambres invited representatives 
from the local community to verify 
the structural integrity of the dam.

HSE Indicators:

•  Total energy demand MW 
•  % energy supply from 
renewable sources 

56  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Climate change – Decoupling growth from CO2 emissions

Antofagasta’s new climate change standard establishes a strategy to mitigate its 
carbon emissions, despite the Group’s increasing use of sea water. With 75% 
of its emissions associated with electricity consumption, the first priority was 
to diversify its energy sourcing and by the end of 2015, Los Pelambres was 
receiving 33% of its energy from clean sources. By 2019, this will increase 
to 80%.

The new standard guides the implementation of initiatives to mitigate CO2 
emissions at current operations and future projects. To achieve this, the Group 
has identified the critical activities and designed projects to reduce emissions 
that are both technically and economically feasible according to the marginal 
abatement cost curve. This methodology allows for the comparison of the 
benefits of each project, measured in terms of potential reduction against cost 
savings per tonne of copper abated, which is particularly relevant in the current 
cost control environment.

In 2016, Antofagasta will start executing specific projects to increase energy 
efficiency in its operations which allow it to set goals for GHG reduction.

Mitigating climate change

Changes to the climate have a direct impact 
on the Group’s operations in relation to the 
availability of water, droughts and other 
extreme weather events. Chile is a country 
which is vulnerable to the effects of climate 
change, reflected in higher temperatures 
and reduced rainfall in the north and centre 
of the country. The Chilean government has 
recently committed to a 30% reduction in 
GHG emissions below 2007 levels by 2030, 
despite a global contribution of only 0.2%.

The Group’s approach is to limit 
contributions to climate change by 
controlling GHG emissions through 
improved energy efficiency and to source 
an increasing proportion of its energy needs 
from clean energy sources. The Group 
has reported its Scope 1 and 2 direct and 
indirect GHG emissions, as defined in the 
GHG Protocol, to the CDP since 2009. 
In 2015, it developed its first integrated 
climate change strategy, which was based 
on ICMM’s policy recommendations. 

The main features of the standard are:

• identifying the risks and opportunities 
of climate change impacts on the 
Group’s operations;

• encouraging innovation to improve energy 
efficiency and the use of clean energy;

• mitigating GHG emissions; and

• measuring progress and reporting 

results, including CO2 emissions, in 
accordance with the Carbon Disclosure 
Project (“CDP”).

Growth in production will inevitably result 
in increased GHG emissions. However, the 
Company will seek to balance this through 
greater energy efficiency and increased 
energy supply from non-fossil fuel sources.

CO2 emissions by location 2015 (tonnes of CO2 equivalent) 

Mining division
Los Pelambres
Centinela Concentrates
Centinela Cathodes
Michilla
Corporate Offices 
Total for mining division
Transport division
Total Antofagasta

Scope 1 
Direct emissions

Scope 2 
Indirect emissions

Total 
emissions1

CO2 emissions 
intensity2

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

168,892
233,384
152,372
23,351
120
578,118
76,028
654,146

173,943
225,013
145,533
49,218
208
593,915
96,321
693,180

425,064
734,493
173,664
78,497
1,042
1,412,760
2,228
1,414,988

454,885
713,253
212,098
124,991
770
1,505,997
2,043
1,533,904

967,876
967,876
326,036
101,848
1,161
1,990,878
78,256
2,069,134

628,828
938,266
357,631
174,209
978
2,099,912
98,364
2,227,084

1.64
6.67
4.29
3.47
–
3.24
10.923
609.544

1.61
5.43
3.81
3.71
–
2.98
13.473
420.974

1 Scope 1 + Scope 2.  
2 Total CO2 emissions per tonne of fine copper produced (scopes 1 and 2).  
3 Tonnes CO2 e/kiloton transported.  
4 Antofagasta’s Intensity figure against revenue.

Antofagasta plc  57

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSocial closure  
of the Michilla mine

Michilla is located in a remote coastal 
area of the Atacama Desert, close to 
Caleta Michilla, which has some 800 
inhabitants. Following the completion 
of mining activities in 2015, the mine 
and processing plant were put on 
care and maintenance. The water 
extraction facilities at Caleta Michilla 
will continue to be used by Antucoya 
and Centinela.

Antofagasta created a dedicated 
committee to co-ordinate the 
actions associated with the closure, 
comprising representatives from the 
Human Resources, Environment, 
Safety, Risk and Public Affairs 
departments. The committee focused 
on the timely announcement of the 
closure (14 months in advance), 
a recruitment and re-employment 
plan for employees (around 25% 
of employees have been placed in 
positions in other parts of the mining 
division), and the management 
of the long-term and legacy 
environmental impacts.

HSE Indicators:

•  CO2 direct and indirect emissions 
•  CO2 intensity per tonne of 

copper produced

Operational review 
Managing a sustainable business

Protecting biodiversity
The Group’s targets are zero net loss of 
biodiversity and to add value to biodiversity 
wherever possible through direct support 
for conservation projects and effective 
private-public partnerships.

The greatest biodiversity challenges for the 
Group are at Los Pelambres which is located 
in an agricultural valley. 

The Company has voluntarily restored the 
Laguna Conchali coastal wetlands, near its 
port facilities, to create a nature sanctuary 
that has been classified as a Wetland of 
International Importance under the Ramsar 
Convention. The Group has also put in 
place a programme to protect one of the 
few remaining Chilean palm forests at 
Monte Aranda and since 2014 has also 
been protecting Santa Inés, one of the 
rare relic forests in the region.

Los Pelambres and Centinela monitor 
their impact on the marine ecosystems 
at their port facilities in Los Vilos and 
Caleta Michilla to prevent impacts on 
the marine environment.

In 2015, the Group worked with the 
Wildlife Conservation Society to develop 
a biodiversity standard, aligned with 
ICMM’s principles, to achieve no net loss 
of biodiversity across the business through 
the application of the mitigation hierarchy.

Cultural heritage
The Group participates in various initiatives 
to protect and increase public knowledge 
about local heritage. In 2014, Los Pelambres 
opened an exhibition hall at Monte Aranda 
in the Choapa Province focusing on rural 
life and local customs. Some residents 
of Caimanes now work there as hosts. 
In 2016, the Group will open a 25-hectare 
rock art park, also at Monte Aranda, which 
will exhibit over 240 petroglyphs recovered 
from the area where the Mauro Dam 
was built.

In the Antofagasta Region, the Group 
is involved in conservation and the 
enhancement of cultural heritage, 
supporting local organisations such as 
the ProLoa and Fundación Chacabuco, 
which are dedicated to the preservation of 
regional heritage. It has sponsored a number 
of books on the archaeological heritage 
of the Antofagasta and Choapa regions.

Managing mine closure
Chilean legislation requires that mining 
operations have comprehensive closure 
plans approved by the national geology 
and mining agency SERNAGEOMIN, 
which defines measures to control risks 
and demonstrate appropriate funding to 

implement the closure plans. These plans 
must be updated every five years and were 
last updated at Michilla, Los Pelambres and 
Centinela in 2014.

In November 2014, the Group announced 
the closure of the Michilla mine, which 
was acquired by the Company in 1980. 
The announcement was made 14 months 
in advance of closure and a comprehensive 
social closure plan was implemented, 
which included trying to transfer as many 
employees as possible from Michilla to 
other Group operations. For the remainder, 
generous severance terms, beyond those 
required by law, were agreed with the mine’s 
unions. This approach helped to minimise 
uncertainty and provided enough time for 
employees to plan ahead.

During the year, the Group began 
developing corporate closure standards that 
move beyond those required under Chilean 
law, and following ICMM best practice that 
provides guidance for environmental and 
social issues.

Air quality control
In addition to naturally occurring dust, 
mining operations generate particulate 
emissions from loading and hauling activities. 
Dust can affect health, particularly through 
the smaller, ingestible component and is of 
particular concern at Los Pelambres where 
the communities are closer to the mine than 
at some of the Group’s other operations. 
At Centinela, dust is also an issue as there are 
several other active mining operations around 
the town of Sierra Gorda.

Dust levels are monitored across all sites 
and at nearby communities to ensure 
compliance with Chilean government 
standards. The Group uses a preventative 
approach to manage air quality and limits 
dust emissions through operational controls 
like road wetting and covering of conveyors 
and stockpiles including crushed materials. 
Key innovations to limit dust include:

• introduction of a preventive warning 

system at Los Pelambres and Centinela 
based on mining operations and weather 
conditions – in conditions of strong 
winds, certain operational activities 
such as blasting may be rescheduled;

• introduction of a system of mist cannons 

at Los Pelambres; and

• working in conjunction with other mine 
operators, the local authorities and the 
regional environment agency to diagnose 
and plan a solution to control the dust 
in Sierra Gorda.

Antofagasta has no significant gaseous 
emissions other than GHGs, which are 
addressed under climate change.

58  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Community relations

Why it matters
Managing the operations sustainably requires preventing and 
mitigating their impact throughout the mining cycle from exploration 
to closure, fulfilling their commitments and becoming a more visible 
and effective contributor to local development. Over the last couple of 
years, Antofagasta has been innovative in its community engagement 
approach to strengthen its social licence by becoming more active 
in regional long-term development, based on a long-term vision 
developed together with local stakeholders and close collaboration 
with the municipalities and the government.

Los Pelambres began a 
consultation process with 
the Caimanes community to 
discuss the implementation 
of initiatives concerning the 
Mauro dam. Considerable 
progress has been made.

Approach to community engagement

Each mining operation has a sustainability 
manager with overall responsibility 
for community relations including the 
implementation of the social investment 
and stakeholder engagement programmes. 
Engagement is through both formal and 
informal channels including holding regular 
open meetings, joint community-company 
task groups (for monitoring and discussing 
specific local development issues), use of 
social media and regular visits for members 
of the community to the mine sites.

In 2013, Los Pelambres developed a new 
model for community relations called 
“Somos Choapa” (We Are Choapa) which 
represented a major increase in the dialogue 
and involvement of the community with 
the Company. The Group’s operations in 
the Antofagasta Region also participate 
in local development alliances such as 
CREO Antofagasta.

Conflict management

Upset because of a long drought, in 
February 2015 some neighbours from 
Salamanca blocked the road leading to Los 
Pelambres demanding that the Company 
build a desalination plant and stop using 
water from the Choapa river. However, 
using the new engagement model, the 
crisis was managed by bringing together 
local government, members of congress 
and water consumer organisations, as well 
as the protesters and representatives from 
Los Pelambres. An agreement was reached 
after about ten days of negotiation that 
included undertakings by both public and 
private parties to address the core issue 
of finding short and long-term solutions 
to water shortages in the area. 

  More information in the 2015 
Sustainability Report.

In September, Los Pelambres began a 
consultation process with the Caimanes 
community to discuss their concerns 
regarding the Mauro Dam, including the 
flow of a local stream and other topics of 
common interest. The community and the 
Company discussed the implementation 
of initiatives to improve the community’s 
access to water, introduce additional 
safety measures at the dam, improve the 
emergency communications plan and to 
set-up a development fund for the benefit 
of the community and local residents. 
Considerable progress has been made 
and agreement on a lasting solution to this 
long-standing issue is expected in 2016.

Supporting regional development

The Group’s mining division has designed 
and implemented a social investment 
programme which aims to bring sustainable 
business and development opportunities 
to the communities in which the 
Group operates.

Over the years these have included the:

• development of sustainable agriculture 
schemes, including investment in a 
large-scale drip irrigation project and 
technical support to small farmers;

• support to artisanal fishermen at Los Vilos;

• investment in infrastructure projects to 

improve public areas in local communities 
such as in the town squares, sport 
facilities and schools;

• support for a number of education 

programmes and award of scholarships 
to top candidates at local schools 
to allow them to attend university 
or receive technical training;

• provision of vocational 
training opportunities;

Antofagasta plc  59

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWOperational review 
Managing a sustainable business

• investment in healthcare facilities 

including completion of the first Primary 
Health Care facility at Alto Choapa 
(investment of $2.0 million);

• provision of clean drinking water through 
co-financing ($3 million) water towers 
and wastewater facilities for the towns 
of Sierra Gorda and Baquedano;

• provision of running drinking water for 
Caleta Michilla through co-financing a 
desalination plant run by the Mejillones 
municipality; and

• contribution of funds to a coastal bicycle 
path as part of the CREO Antofagasta 
master plan.

Responding to community complaints

Unethical behaviour can be reported 
through the Company’s website, via the 
internet or on the telephone. All complaints 
will be investigated and can be made 
anonymously if the complainant prefers. 
The Ethics Committee is responsible for 
investigating these complaints in a timely 
manner and their work is supervised by 
the Audit and Risk Committee of the Board.

The Group also has a grievance system 
at all of its operations for members 
of local communities to express their 
concerns to the Company. This system 
allows for consultation and feedback, 
with grievances from local communities 
generally handled by the operation’s 
community engagement team.

By providing these different means for 
complaints to be made about the Company 
and for them to be handled efficiently, the 
Board intends that any contentious issues 
can be raised early and resolved before 
they develop into potentially serious areas 
of contention.

Somos Choapa (We Are Choapa) 
– Our new approach to community engagement

The Group’s new engagement model aims to strengthen its social licence to 
operate and grow. It is based on a methodology to sustain ongoing dialogue 
between the Company, local communities, authorities and other local 
stakeholders to enhance the Group’s contribution to local development and 
social capital. The model´s key characteristics are:

1.  Engaging with the communities, the local authority and other local 

stakeholders to:

•   identify local challenges and opportunities  

(whether related to mining or not);

•   build a shared vision for the region´s development; and

•   design a portfolio of projects and programmes to fulfil this vision.

2.  Taking an integrated and long-term approach to the challenges faced by 

the Choapa province’s four municipalities, through the design and execution 
of a portfolio of projects instead of isolated contributions.

3.  Working through alliances with national, regional and local government, 
using both private and public funding to implement the agreed projects.

4.  Explicit commitment to transparency and accountability of decisions, 
management and results. Chile Transparente – the Chilean arm of 
Transparency International – has accepted the Group’s invitation to oversee 
Somos Choapa.

Somos Choapa has been accepted with growing enthusiasm by local 
stakeholders. By the end of 2015, some 49 discussion forums had been held 
in the province with the participation of 3,600 neighbours. From this process 
18 strategies emerged, involving 57 specific initiatives. A dozen were already 
in their tendering stage by the end of the year.

Somos Choapa constitutes an integrated platform for the sustainable 
development of the Choapa province and a common charter for both 
public and private investment in the short, medium and long term.

60  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Employees

Why it matters
Retaining, developing and engaging employees 
is key to operating a successful business.

The Group’s Executive 
Committee, led by the CEO, 
made seven visits to the 
operations in 2015, to verify 
the critical controls for 
the key risks were being 
implemented effectively. 

Supporting the business
In 2013, the Group designed a corporate 
human resources strategy for all its 
companies. New programmes and tools 
were introduced in 2014 and consolidated 
in 2015, in line with the corporate Costs 
and Competitiveness Programme. 

More information on Key inputs and cost base 
on pages 19 to 21.

The aim of Antofagasta’s Human Resources 
strategy is to develop and ensure it has 
the organisational capabilities to sustain its 
business strategy over the short, medium 
and long term. The strategic objectives are:

• developing a Group organisational 
model through the capture of best 
practices, promoting synergy and 
supporting competitiveness;

• strengthening Group culture through 
promoting shared values, principles 
and ethics while enhancing the 
leadership model;

• Talent Management including 

development programmes and 
tools, performance management and 
succession planning for key positions; and

• enhance employees engagement 

to the organisation.

Labour relations

Antofagasta is one of the largest mining 
operators in Chile. In 2015, the Group had a 
total workforce of approximately 19,200 of 
which some 27% were employees and the 
balance were contractors. The workforce 
declined compared with 26,151 in 2014 
due to the completion of the construction 
of Antucoya and the departure of the 
contractors working there.

The Group ensures its own and its 
contractors’ compliance with all Chilean 
laws and regulations, and with the Group’s 
values and Code of Ethics, including the 
fundamental respect for human rights. 
Labour agreements which cover salaries, 
working hours, compensation and 
employment benefits, are negotiated with 
the unions at all of the Group’s operations. 
These agreements were last negotiated in 
the mining division in 2013 and 2014 and 
cover a period of up to four years. There are 
ten unions in total, three at Los Pelambres, 
three at Centinela, two at Zaldívar and one 
at each of Michilla and Antucoya. The Group 
recognises employees’ rights to union 
membership and collective bargaining, 
and promotes equal opportunities in 
the workforce.

Group employees receive a fair salary, 
commensurate with industry benchmarks. 
Training opportunities are available for 
all employees and job opportunities are 
advertised internally to promote internal 
mobility. The Group strives to offer a 
safe work environment, good quality 
accommodation, medical and other support. 
The maximum number of working hours is 
prescribed under Chilean law, which also 
forbids child and forced labour.

In 2015, women represented 10% of the 
mining division’s workforce and 8% of 
them are supervisors or above. There is one 
woman on the Executive Committee and 
one on the Board.

Contractors and suppliers

Contractors form some 72% of the mining 
division’s workforce and therefore the 
management of contractors and maintaining 
their high standards of performance is key 
to the Group’s success and reputation. 

Antofagasta plc  61

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWOperational review 
Managing a sustainable business

Talent management 
and development

Training for employees enables 
the Group to keep improving the 
skills of the workforce in line with 
the current and future needs of 
the business. Providing personal 
development opportunities helps 
to motivate employees and keep 
them with the Company for the 
long term. The Company has a talent 
management programme to develop 
personnel within the Company, 
and a succession plan for key 
positions. Since 2010, the Group 
has a specific initiative to recruit 
young professionals.

HSE Indicators:

Total number of employees in 2015 
5,300
Total number of contractors  
13,900

The Group audits its main contractors 
on a regular basis to ensure compliance 
with Chilean labour legislation and the 
Group’s labour and safety standards 
including monthly audits to ensure that all 
wages and associated social contributions 
are paid by the contractors’ employers, 
before the next invoice is paid. In addition, 
contractors’ employers are required to pay 
their employees a minimum salary that is 
approximately 70% above the lowest legal 
wage in Chile.

Contractors receive training on the Group’s 
safety and other standards and are required 
to uphold the same high level of safety 
practices as the Group’s own employees. 
Additionally, a new Group-wide procedure 
has been implemented on particular safety 
prevention techniques and actions to be 
executed by each relevant contractor under 
the supervision of the contractor’s employer.

Safety: risk-based  
preventative approach

In 2013, the Group adopted a new safety 
model in line with international best 
practices and ICMM recommendations. 
The pillars of this model are:

• identifying and understanding key fatality 

or serious injury risks;

• implementing critical controls;

•  reporting and investigating near misses; and

• increasing on the ground senior leadership.

Analysis of the key risk areas identified 
that, between 2006 and 2015, 11 types of 
risk were responsible for all of the fatalities 
and 95% of the high-potential near misses. 
The Group concentrated on these risk 
areas increasing leadership and awareness, 
assigning responsibility for risks and auditing 
safety procedures. 

In 2016, the focus will be to monitor and 
audit the safety performance and to extend 
all procedures to contractors to strengthen 
the performance of contractor companies.

The Group’s Executive Committee, led 
by the CEO, made seven visits to the 
operations in 2015, to verify the critical 
controls for the key risks were being 
implemented effectively.

Among other initiatives, on-site supervision 
of key safety risks, near-miss reporting, 
distribution of newsletters about the 
causes of severe accidents, extended 
site management meetings that focus on 
safety, and public recognition for employees 
that demonstrate the best safety conduct 
help raise safety awareness. The Group 
also trains and supervises employees and 
oversees safety standards and practices 
for all contractors.

During 2015, 3,904 people were trained 
in key aspects of the safety and health 
model such as incident reporting, 
investigation of high-potential near-misses 
and Antofagasta´s new safety and health 
guidance for contractors.

All employees complete a safety and health 
induction course before starting work. 
There are regular refresher workshops on 
safety policies and procedures, to discuss 
lessons learned from near-miss incidents 
and share examples of best practice.

Safety performance is reported weekly 
to the Executive Committee and monthly 
to the Board. Fatal and serious accidents 
are reviewed in detail by the Board’s 
Sustainability and Stakeholder Management 
Committee. Operational safety reviews are 
conducted by the Executive Committee 
across all operations.

62  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Chilean mining 
industry1
Mining Division
Transport Division
Group

Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (“LTIFR”)

All Injury Frequency Rate (“AIFR”)

Number of fatalities

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

3.1
2.1
9.6
3.0

2.9
1.3
13.0
2.5

2.6
1.1
10.3
1.9

2.5
1.1
10.3
1.7

2.0
1.1
10.9
2.0

N/A
9.1
28.3
11.4

N/A
5.4
28.6
7.8

N/A
3.9
17.7
5.1

N/A
5.0
22.2
6.1

N/A
6.9
17.8
7.8

26
–
1
1

25
1
–
1

25
2
–
2

27
5
–
5

16
1
–
1

LTIFR: Number of accidents with lost time during the 
period per million hours worked.

AIFR: Number of accidents with and without lost time 
during the period per million hours worked.

1  Source: National Mining and Geology Service (Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería, Sernageomin). 
N/A: Not available.

Safety performance

Health

While over the years the Group has 
steadily reduced the severity and frequency 
of accidents, fatalities have not been 
eliminated. In 2015, one contractor died 
at the Michilla operation. Fatalities are not 
acceptable and this incident has further 
heightened the Group’s awareness of its 
safety responsibilities. Important lessons 
have been learned and new measures 
are being implemented to strengthen the 
operational control of our contractors and 
to accelerate their adoption of the new 
safety and health model.

The Group’s objective is to achieve zero 
fatalities for employees and contractors 
in each and every year. All contractors are 
required to comply with the new safety 
and health procedures and, going forwards, 
this will be further strengthened through 
technical support audits and monitoring. 
Compliance with the safety and health 
model is audited twice a year at each of the 
Group’s operations and exploration projects. 
The results of these audits are reported to 
the Group CEO and the General Manager 
of each mining operation.

The Group analysed the cause of health 
risks across the business and identified the 
six main risks as: exposure to airborne dust 
and particulates (including silica); exposure 
to acid mist; ionising radiation; solar 
radiation; exposure to elevated noise; and 
working at height. To prevent each of these 
risks, new critical controls were introduced 
in 2015 and these will be verified in the 
field during 2016 so as to reduce the risks 
to all members of the workforce.

A complete medical check-up to establish 
fitness to work is mandatory for new 
employees. Every year all employees 
have access to a preventive age-adapted 
medical check-up paid for by the Company 
and done in the best available clinics and 
in Company time.

Health service provision at each operation 
includes a fully operational medical 
centre providing full first aid emergency 
arrangements and paramedic support.

The Group’s objective is to 
achieve zero fatalities for 
employees and contractors 
in each and every year.

Antofagasta plc  63

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEW 
Financial review
For the year ended 31 December 2015

Results

Revenue
EBITDA
Depreciation, amortisation and disposals
Net finance expense
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Discontinued operations
Profit for the year from continuing and discontinued operations
Earnings per share from continuing operations
Earnings per share from continuing and discontinued operations (US cents)
Net debt

Year ended 
31.12.2015 
$m
3,394.6
890.7
(586.3)
(39.2)
259.4
(160.4)
602.7
701.7
0.6
61.7
(1,023.5)

Year ended 
31.12.2014 
$m
5,145.6
2,141.4
(557.8)
(63.9)
1,515.6
(702.3)
37.4
850.7
42.8
46.6
(1.6)

Movement 
$m 
(1,751.0)
(1,250.7)
(28.5)
24.7
(1,256.6)
(541.9)
565.3
(149.0)
(42.2)
15.1
(1,021.9)

Movement 
%
(34.0)
(58.4)
5.1
(38.7)
(82.9)
(77.2)
1,511.5
(17.5)
(98.6)
32.4
63,868.8

As a result of the disposal of Aguas de Antofagasta S.A. (“ADASA”) and Empresa Ferroviaria Andina S.A. (“FCA”), their results have 
been classified as discontinued operations and excluded from the individual income statement lines, with the 2014 figures restated 
on a consistent basis.

A detailed segmental analysis of the components of the income statement is contained in Note 4 to the financial statements.

The following table reconciles between the 2014 and 2015 EBITDA:

 $m 
2,141.4

(1,108.4)
(411.8)
(35.1)
(1,555.3)
(84.7)
(25.0)
(77.5)
(187.2)
(8.5)
(1,751.0)

(432.8)
33.0
(65.6)
(31.6)
(497.0)
(3.3)
(500.3)
(1,250.7)
890.7

EBITDA in 2014
Revenue
Decrease in copper realised price
Decrease in copper volumes sold
Increase in tolling charges
Decrease in revenue from copper concentrate and cathodes
Decrease in gold revenues
Decrease in silver revenues
Decrease in molybdenum revenues 
Decrease in revenue from by-products
Decrease in transport division revenue
Decrease in Group revenue
Operating costs
Decrease in mining costs 
Increase in charge for closure provisions
Decrease in exploration and evaluation costs
Decrease in other mining division costs and corporate costs
Decrease in operating costs for mining division
Decrease in transport division operating costs
Decrease in Group operating costs
Decrease in EBITDA
EBITDA in 2015

64  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

 
 
Revenue

Group revenue in 2015 was $3,394.6 million, 34.0% below the 
$5,145.6 million achieved in 2014. The decrease of $1,751.0 million 
mainly reflected a decrease in the realised copper price as well as 
lower copper sales volumes and by-product revenues.

Revenue from the mining division

Revenue from copper concentrate and copper cathodes
Revenue from copper concentrate and copper cathode sales 
decreased by $1,555.2 million, or 36.1%, to $2,834.5 million, 
compared with $4,389.7 million in 2014. The decrease reflected 
the impact of lower realised prices, lower volumes and increased 
tolling charges.

(i) Realised copper prices
The Group’s average realised copper price decreased by 24.0% to 
$2.28/lb in 2015 (2014 – $3.00/lb). The level of decrease was higher 
than the reduction in the average LME copper price, which decreased 
by 19.8% to $2.50/lb from $3.11 in 2014, due to a higher level of 
negative provisional pricing adjustments in the current year compared 
with the prior year. The decrease in average realised prices led to a 
$1,108.4 million reduction in revenue from copper concentrate and 
cathode sales.

Realised copper prices are determined by comparing revenue 
(gross of tolling charges for concentrate sales) with sales volumes 
in the year. Realised copper prices differ from market prices mainly 
because, in line with industry practice, concentrate and cathode sales 
agreements generally provide for provisional pricing at the time of 
shipment with final pricing based on the average market price for 
future years (normally about 30 days after delivery to the customer 
in the case of cathode sales and up to 150 days after delivery to the 
customer in the case of concentrate sales). Realised copper prices 
also reflect the impact of realised gain or losses of commodity 
derivative instruments hedge accounted for in accordance with 
IAS 39 “Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurements”.

Provisional pricing adjustments decreased initially invoiced sales 
(before adjusting for tolling charges) by $295.6 million in 2015, 
compared with a decrease of $201.7 million in 2014. The negative 
adjustments in the current year mainly reflected the decrease in 
the copper price in 2015 and to a lesser extent a negative year end 
mark to market adjustment. Further details of provisional pricing 
adjustments are given in Note 5 to the financial statements.

(ii) Copper sales volumes
Copper sales volumes decreased by 11.6% from 703,000 tonnes 
in 2014 to 621,200 tonnes in this year, reflecting lower production 
at Los Pelambres and Centinela. The decrease in sales volumes 
accounted for a decrease of $411.8 million in revenue from copper 
concentrate and cathode sales.

(iii) Tolling charges
Tolling charges for copper concentrate increased by $35.1 million 
to $294.0 million in 2015 from $258.9 million in 2014. This reflected 
increased tolling charges at Los Pelambres and Centinela Concentrates, 
mainly due to an increase in average tolling charges during the year.

Tolling charges are deducted from concentrate sales in reporting 
revenue and hence the increase in these charges has had a negative 
impact on revenue.

Revenue from molybdenum, gold and other by-products

Revenue from by-products at Los Pelambres and Centinela 
relate mainly to molybdenum and gold, and a lesser extent silver. 
Revenue from by-products decreased by $187.3 million or 31.5% 
to $407.7 million in 2015, compared with $595.0 million in 2014.

Revenue from gold in concentrate (net of tolling charges) was 
$252.1 million (2014 – $336.8 million), a decrease of $84.7 million, 
which mainly reflected a decrease in volumes, as well as a lower 
realised gold price. Gold sales volumes decreased from 267,400 
ounces in 2014 to 219,200 ounces in 2015, mainly due to the lower 
gold grades at Centinela in the second half of the year. The realised 
gold price was $1,155/oz in 2015 compared with $1,262/oz in 2014, 
with the decrease largely reflecting the general reduction in average 
market prices.

Revenue from molybdenum (net of roasting charges) was 
$105.3 million (2014 – $182.8 million), a decrease of $77.5 million. 
The decrease was mainly due to a lower realised price of $5.7 per 
pound (2014 – $11.0 per pound) partly offset by increased sales 
volumes of 9,900 tonnes (2014 – 8,200 tonnes).

Revenue from silver in concentrate decreased by $25.0 million to 
$50.4 million in 2015 (2014 – $75.4 million). The decrease was due to 
a decrease in the realised silver price from $18.7/oz in 2014 to $15.5/oz  
in 2015, as well as decreased sales volumes of 3.3 million ounces 
(2014 – 4.1 million ounces).

Revenue from the transport division

Revenue from the transport division (“FCAB”) decreased by 
$8.5 million or 5.3% to $152.4 million. This mainly reflected a 
decrease in tonnages transported and the impact of the weaker 
Chilean peso.

Operating costs (excluding depreciation, amortisation 
and disposals)

Operating costs (excluding depreciation, amortisation and disposals) 
amounted to $2,503.9 million (2014 – $3,004.2 million), a decrease of 
$500.3 million. This was mainly due to lower mining operating costs, 
exploration and evaluation costs and other mining costs, partly off-set 
by a higher charge in respect of closure provisions.

Operating costs (excluding depreciation, amortisation 
and disposals) at the mining division

Operating costs at the mining division decreased by $497.0 million 
to $2,409.9 million in 2015, a decrease of 17.1%.

Excluding by-product credits (which are reported as part of revenue) 
and tolling charges for concentrates (which are deducted from 
revenue), weighted average cash costs for the Group (comprising 
on-site and shipping costs in the case of Los Pelambres and Centinela 
and cash costs in the case of Centinela and Michilla) decreased by 
$0.07/lb to $1.58/lb.

Exploration and evaluation costs decreased by $65.6 million to 
$101.9 million (2014 – $167.5 million). This mainly reflected decreases 
in expenditure relating to exploration and studies in the Centinela 
district and international exploration.

The income statement had a charge relating to mine closure 
provisions of $25.8 million (2014 – credit of $7.2 million), mainly 
reflecting an increased charge at Los Pelambres.

Operating costs (excluding depreciation, amortisation and disposals) 
at the transport division decreased by $3.3 million to $94.0 million, 
mainly reflecting the weaker Chilean peso.

Antofagasta plc  65

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWFinancial review

EBITDA and operating profit from subsidiaries 
and joint ventures

EBITDA
EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortisation) 
from subsidiaries and joint ventures decreased by $1,250.7 million 
or 58.4% to $890.7 million in 2015 (2014 – $2,141.4 million).

EBITDA at the mining division decreased by 59.9% from 
$2,077.8 million in 2014 to $832.3 million in 2015. As explained 
above, this was mainly due to the decrease in revenue as a result 
of the lower realised copper price and copper sales volumes, partly 
offset by lower operating costs.

EBITDA at the transport division decreased by $5.2 million 
to $58.4 million in 2015, reflecting the decreased revenue 
as explained above.

Depreciation, amortisation and disposals
The depreciation, amortisation and disposals charge was higher 
at $586.3 million (2014 – $557.8 million). Increased depreciation 
at Centinela and Los Pelambres was partly offset by a decrease 
at Michilla.

Operating profit from subsidiaries
As a result of the above factors, operating profit from subsidiaries 
decreased by 80.8% to $304.4 million.

Share of results from associates and joint ventures

The Group’s share of results from its associates and joint ventures 
was a loss of $5.8 million (2014 – loss of $4.1 million). This mainly 
reflects losses at the Zaldívar joint venture partly offset by higher 
profits at the Inversiones Hornitos associate.

Net finance expense

Net finance expense in 2015 was $39.2 million, compared with a net 
finance expense of $63.9 million in 2014.

Investment income
Interest expense
Other finance items
Net finance expense

Year ended 
31.12.15 
$m
18.1
(33.7)
(23.6)
(39.2)

Year ended 
31.12.14
$m
16.8
(44.4)
(36.3)
(63.9)

Interest income increased from $16.8 million in 2014 to $18.1 million 
in 2015, mainly reflecting additional interest income in respect of 
a loan from Los Pelambres to the Alto Maipo associate.

Interest expense decreased from $44.4 million in 2014 to $33.7 million 
in 2015, mainly due to a decrease of interest payable at Centinela 
reflecting one-off costs incurred in 2014 as a consequence 
of a refinancing in that year.

Other finance items comprised a loss of $23.6 million (2014 – loss 
of $36.3 million). A gain of $0.1 million (2014 – loss of $5.1 million) 
has been recognised in respect of the time value element of changes 
in the fair value of commodity derivative options, which is excluded 
from the designated hedging relationship, and is therefore recognised 
directly in profit or loss. Foreign exchange losses included in finance 
items were $13.6 million in 2015, compared with a gain of $4.0 million 
in 2014. An expense of $9.1 million (2014 – $8.9 million) has been 
recognised in relation to the unwinding of the discount on provisions. 
An impairment charge of $26.3 million was recognised in 2014 in 
respect of Duluth Metals shares, with fair value losses previously 
recorded within the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive 
Income being transferred to the income statement and recognised 
within this impairment loss, further details are given in Note 8 to the 
financial statements.

Profit before tax

As a result of the factors set out above, profit before tax decreased 
by $1,256.2 million or 82.9% to $259.4 million in 2015 compared 
with $1,515.6 million in 2014.

Income tax expense

The tax charge in 2015 was $160.4 million (2014 – $702.3 million) and 
the effective tax rate was 61.8% (2014 – 46.3%).

Profit before tax
Taxes (current 
and deferred)
Corporate tax
Adjustment to deferred 
tax attributable to 
changes in tax rates
Mining tax
Withholding tax
Exchange rate
Total tax charge

Year ended 
31.12.2015 
$m
259.4

Effective  
tax rate 
%

Year ended 
31.12.2014 
$m
1,515.6

Effective  
tax rate 
%

(110.6)

42.6

(350.9)

21.8

–
(34.0)
(14.8)
(1.0)
(160.4)

–
13.1
5.7
0.4
61.8

(215.1)
(79.1)
(56.8)
 (0.4)
(702.3)

14.2
5.2
3.7
–
46.3

The tax charge for 2015 was $160.4 million and the effective tax rate 
was 61.8%. The statutory rate of Chilean corporate (first category) 
tax in 2015 was 22.5% (2014 – 20%). In 2015, the effective tax rate 
varied from the statutory rate principally due to tax losses which 
under Chilean tax carry-back rules generated a credit at historic tax 
rates below the current year statutory rate, as well as the effect 
of expenses not deductible for Chilean corporate tax purposes 
(principally the funding of expenses outside of Chile) and the effects 
of the mining tax which resulted in a charge of $34.0 million and 
a withholding tax charge of $14.8 million. In 2014, the effective 
tax rate varied from the standard rate (comprising corporate (first 
category) tax) principally due to the one-off deferred tax charge of 
$215.1 million reflecting the increase in tax rates as a result of the 
Chilean tax reform enacted in that year. Further details are given 
in Note 9 to the financial statements.

66  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Discontinued operations

Capital expenditure

During the year the Group completed the disposal of its water 
division, Aguas de Antofagasta S.A. (“ADASA”) as well as part of its 
transport division. The results of these operations for the year prior 
to disposal as well as the profit on disposal have been presented 
on the “Profit for the year from discontinued operations” line in the 
income statement.

Capital expenditure (including discontinued operations) decreased 
by $568.4 million from $1,581.0 million in 2014 to $1,012.6 million in 
2015. This was mainly due to lower construction expenditure at the 
Antucoya project, where construction substantially completed during 
2015. NB: capital expenditure figures quoted in other sections of this 
report are on a cash flow basis, unless stated otherwise.

The profit for the year from discontinued operations was 
$602.7 million, compared with $37.4 million in 2014, reflecting a net 
profit on disposal of $595.2 million (2014 – nil) and a net profit from 
operations prior to disposal of $7.5 million (2014 – $37.4 million). 
Further details are given in Note 10 to the financial statements.

Non-controlling interests

Profit for the year attributable to non-controlling interests was 
$93.5 million, compared with $390.9 million in 2014, reflecting 
the lower profit attributable to the non-controlling interests as 
a consequence of the decrease in the earnings of the mining 
operations analysed above.

Earnings per share

Earnings per share from continuing operations 
Earnings per share from continuing  
and discontinued operations 

Year ended 
31.12.15 
US cents
0.6

Year ended 
31.12.14 
US cents
42.8

61.7

46.6

Earnings per share calculations are based on 985,856,695 
ordinary shares. As a result of the factors set out above, profit 
in 2015 attributable to equity shareholders of the Company was 
$608.2 million compared with $459.8 million in 2014. Accordingly, 
earnings per share were 61.7 cents in 2015 compared with 46.6 
cents in 2014, an increase of 32.3%.

Dividends

Dividends per share proposed in relation to the year are as follows:

Ordinary
Interim
Final
Total dividends to ordinary shareholders

Year ended 
31.12.15 
US cents

Year ended 
31.12.14 
US cents

3.1
–
3.1

11.7
9.8
21.5

The Board determines the appropriate dividend each year based on 
consideration of the Group’s cash balance, the level of free cash flow 
and earnings generated during the year and significant known or 
expected funding commitments. It is expected that the total annual 
dividend for each year would represent a payout ratio based on net 
earnings for that year of at least 35%.

The total dividend for the year is 3.1 cents per share, or $30.6 million, 
which was paid as the interim dividend, and exceeds the Group’s 
35% minimum payout ratio dividend policy for the year. Therefore, 
no final dividend has been recommended by the Board.

Derivative financial instruments

The Group periodically uses derivative financial instruments to reduce 
exposure to commodity price movements. At 31 December 2015,  
the Group had commodity swaps for 300 tonnes of copper production 
covering a total year up to 31 January 2016. The Group´s exposure 
to the copper price was limited by the extent of these instruments.

The Group periodically uses foreign exchange derivatives to cover 
expected operational cash flow needs. At 31 December 2015, the 
Group had no foreign exchange derivatives.

The Group also periodically uses interest rate swaps to swap the 
floating rate interest for fixed rate interest. At 31 December 2015, the 
Group had entered into contracts in relation to the Centinela financing 
for a maximum notional amount of $105 million at a weighted average 
fixed rate of 3.372% fully maturing in August 2018. The Group had 
also entered into contracts in relation to a financing loan at FCAB for 
a maximum notional amount of $120 million at weighted average 
fixed rate of 1.634% fully maturing in August 2019.

Cash flows

The key features of the Group cash flow statement are summarised 
in the following table.

Cash flows from operations
Income tax paid
Net interest paid
Capital contribution and loan to associates
Acquisition of joint venture
Disposal of subsidiaries
Acquisition of mining interests 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Dividends paid to equity holders of the Company 
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Dividends from associate
Other items
Changes in net cash relating to cash flows
Exchange and other non-cash movements
Movement in net cash in the year
Net cash at the beginning of the year
Net cash at the end of the year

Year ended 
31.12.15 
$m
858.3
(427.1)
(27.6)
(112.0)
(972.8)
942.9
(78.0)
(1,048.5)
(127.2)
(80.0)
12.1
74.4
(985.5)
(36.4)
(1,021.9)
(1.6)
(1,023.5)

Year ended 
31.12.14 
$m
2,507.8
(641.5)
(28.9)
(125.2)
–
–
–
(1,646.3)
(964.2)
(412.2)
20.0
5.2
(1,285.3)
(27.5)
(1,312.8)
1,311.2
(1.6)

Cash flows from operations were $858.3 million in 2015 compared 
with $2,507.8 million in 2014. This reflected EBITDA for the year of 
$890.7 million (2014 – $ 2,141.4 million) adjusted for a net working 
capital increase of $32.4 million (2014 – decrease of $286.2 million).

Antofagasta plc  67

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWTotal Group borrowings at 31 December 2015 were 
$2,755.1 million (2014 – $2,376.1 million). Of this, $1,936.2 million 
(2014 – $1,691.6 million) is proportionally attributable to the Group 
after excluding the non-controlling interest shareholdings in 
partly-owned operations.

Cautionary statement about 
forward-looking statements

This Annual Report contains certain forward-looking statements. 
All statements other than historical facts are forward-looking 
statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include those 
regarding the Group’s strategy, plans, objectives or future operating 
or financial performance; reserve and resource estimates; commodity 
demand and trends in commodity prices; growth opportunities; 
and any assumptions underlying or relating to any of the foregoing. 
Words such as “intend”, “aim”, “project”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, 
“plan”, “believe”, “expect”, “may”, “should”, “will”, “continue” 
and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, 
uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that are beyond the 
Group’s control. Given these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, 
actual results could differ materially from any future results expressed 
or implied by these forward-looking statements, which speak only as 
at the date of this report. Important factors that could cause actual 
results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements include: 
global economic conditions; demand, supply and prices for copper; 
long-term commodity price assumptions, as they materially affect the 
timing and feasibility of future projects and developments; trends in 
the copper mining industry and conditions of the international copper 
markets; the effect of currency exchange rates on commodity prices 
and operating costs; the availability and costs associated with mining 
inputs and labour; operating or technical difficulties in connection with 
mining or development activities; employee relations; litigation; and 
actions and activities of governmental authorities, including changes 
in laws, regulations or taxation. Except as required by applicable law, 
rule or regulation, the Group does not undertake any obligation to 
publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether 
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Past performance cannot be relied on as a guide to 
future performance.

Financial review

Cash tax payments in 2015 year were $427.1 million (2014 – 
$641.5 million), comprising corporation tax of $249.7 million (2014 
– $264.0 million), mining tax of $32.2 million (2014 – $98.2 million) 
and withholding tax of $145.2 million (2014 – $279.3 million). 
These amounts differ from the current tax charge in the consolidated 
income statement of $160.4 million (2014 – $702.3 million) 
mainly because cash tax payments for withholding tax includes 
$132.4 million related to the disposal of ADASA and therefore is 
disclosed within the results from discontinued operations. In addition, 
under the Chilean tax regime the Group has prepaid taxes at rates 
higher than the final effective tax rate. As a consequence, the Group 
has current tax receivables of $319.5 million at 31 December 2015.

Contributions and loans to associates and joint ventures of 
$112.0 million mainly relate to the Group’s share of the funding 
of the development of the Alto Maipo project.

Cash disbursements relating to capital expenditure (including 
discontinued operations) in 2015 were $1,048.5 million compared 
with $1,646.3 million in 2014. This included expenditure of 
$143.4 million at Antucoya (2014 – $734.6 million), $559.4 million 
relating to Centinela (2014 – $566.9 million) and $203.1 million relating 
to Los Pelambres (2014 – $230.0 million). NB: capital expenditure 
figures quoted in other sections of this report are on a cash flow 
basis, unless stated otherwise.

Dividends paid to ordinary shareholders of the Company in 2015 
were $127.2 million (2014 – $964.2 million), which related to the 
final dividend declared in respect of the previous year and the 2015 
interim dividend.

Dividends paid by subsidiaries to non-controlling shareholders were 
$80.0 million (2014 – $412.2 million), consisting of distributions by 
Los Pelambres.

Financial position

Cash, cash equivalents and liquid investments
Total borrowings
Net cash at the end of the year

At 
31.12.15 
$m
1,731.6
(2,755.1)
(1,023.5)

At 
31.12.14 
$m
2,374.5
(2,376.1)
(1.6)

At 31 December 2015, the Group had combined cash, cash 
equivalents and liquid investments of $1,731.6 million (31 December 
2014 – $2,374.5 million). Excluding the non-controlling interest share 
in each partly-owned operation, the Group’s attributable share of 
cash, cash equivalents and liquid investments was $1,410.8 million 
(31 December 2014 – $2,007.0 million).

New borrowings in 2015 were $725.9 million (2014 – $1,583.4 million), 
mainly due to new short-term borrowings at Los Pelambres 
of $312.0 million, Centinela of $200.0 million and Antucoya of 
$30.0 million. Repayments of borrowings and finance leasing 
obligations in 2015 were $288.3 million (2014 – £570.9 million), 
relating mainly to regular repayments on existing loans of 
$34.9 million and repayments on short-term loans at Los Pelambres 
of $205.9 million and regular repayments of existing loan of 
$30.0 million at Ferrocarril Antofagasta Bolivia.

68  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Governance

Corporate Governance Report

Leadership

  How the Board and its Committees operate

  Board of Directors

  Executive Committee

Effectiveness

  The Board in more detail

Information and professional development

  Performance evaluation

Accountability

  Board Committees

  Audit and Risk Committee

  Nomination and Governance Committee

 Sustainability and Stakeholder  
Management Committee

  Projects Committee

Remuneration

 Annual Statement by the Chairman of the 
Remuneration and Talent Management Committee

 Summary of Directors’ Remuneration Policy

 Annual Report on Remuneration 2015

Relations with shareholders

Directors’ Report

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities

70

72

72

74

77

79

79

82

84

85

85

86

90

93

95

96

96

98

99

112

114

116

Antofagasta plc  69

GOVERNANCEGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEW 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Report

Further details on the Group’s talent management and succession 
planning initiatives are set out in the Remuneration Report on 
page 97. 

We believe that good corporate governance is fundamental to our 
success and I believe that we are in a strong position not only to face 
the current challenges that I identified in my introductory letter on 
page 5 but to continue to refine and execute our strategy to secure 
long-term growth and profitability.

Engaging with our shareholders

During 2015 I met with a number of our shareholders to hear 
their views about our Company, its strategy, management 
and governance. During these meetings we discussed a wide 
range of topics. These included how they used proxy voting 
agencies’ recommendations, board composition and diversity, the 
categorisation of independence for a Director, talent management 
and succession planning, the application of the “comply and 
explain” principle and aligning executive remuneration with strategy. 
These meetings allowed me to explain the changes to the Board’s 
structure in 2014, to update shareholders on progress following these 
changes and to understand how corporate governance developments 
are likely to assist us in the years ahead.

Once again, our Senior Independent Director, William Hayes, met 
with a number of shareholders to develop a balanced understanding 
of their issues and concerns. Further details of these meetings are 
set out on page 113.

Remuneration

Following the recent wave of changes to Executive remuneration 
reporting legislation and guidance, the Remuneration and Talent 
Committee, led by its Chairman, Tim Baker, commissioned an 
internal review of the effectiveness of the Group’s Executive pay 
arrangements, including the impact of safety performance on 
Executive pay. As part of this review, Tim Baker met with a number 
of industry and other FTSE 100 Remuneration Committee Chairmen 
in London to share and learn from their experiences. The changes 
that we have made to Executive incentives as a consequence of this 
review are set out in the Remuneration Report on pages 96 to 111. 
We have once again voluntarily reported on the remuneration and 
incentive pay design for Diego Hernández as if he was a member 
of the Board.

Our first full year of Corporate Governance Code compliance

In 2014 we changed many of our internal control and governance 
structures, processes and procedures in order to benefit from what 
we perceived to be sensible and beneficial governance practice. 
As a result, we are delighted to report that for the first time we have 
complied with all the detailed provisions of the Corporate Governance 
Code during 20151.

1  The UK Corporate Governance Code issued by the Financial Reporting Council in September 
2014 (the “Code”) (available on the Financial Reporting Council website at www.frc.org.uk) 
sets out the governance principles and provisions that applied to the Company during 
the 2015 financial year. 

Nomination and Governance Committee

As part of these changes we decided to improve our focus on 
governance and the Nomination Committee became the Nomination 
and Governance Committee, with responsibility for monitoring 
and recommending improvements to the Board’s governance 
arrangements. The Committee has been instrumental in helping 
the Board further develop its governance framework which includes 
a clear description of matters reserved for the Board, terms of 
reference for Board Committees and specific responsibilities 
of the Chairman, Group CEO and Senior Independent Director. 

Leadership
How the Board and its committees operate. 

For more information see pages 72 to 78.

Effectiveness
How the Board is balanced, how and what information 
flows through it and performance in 2015. 

For more information see pages 79 to 84.

Accountability
How the Board and its committees oversee the 
Company’s position and prospects and assess risk.

For more information see pages 85 to 96.

Remuneration
How the Board and its committees ensure that 
executive pay is aligned with performance, strategy 
and the interests of shareholders.

For more information see pages 96 to 111.

Relations with shareholders
How the Board, its committees and the Company 
engage with shareholders and potential investors.

For more information see pages 112 and 113.

Dear Shareholder,

I am pleased to present the Antofagasta plc Corporate Governance 
Report for the year ended 31 December 2015. 

One of my key responsibilities as Chairman is to promote good 
corporate governance and we have taken great strides in recent years 
to enhance our internal control and governance structures, processes 
and procedures. We have worked hard to ensure that we have the 
right people performing the right roles to shape the Group’s strategy 
and to drive, probe and report on its implementation. We have 
invested in talent management and succession planning and now 
have a strong pipeline of talent at various stages of development  
to fill these roles in the future. 

70  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Leveraging this framework in 2015, the Committee reviewed 
policies and procedures relating to diversity, succession planning 
and UK market obligations. The Committee will continue to focus on 
succession planning at Board level to ensure that our Committees 
continue to be appropriately staffed and that we continue to maintain 
a strong and committed Board with broad and complementary skills 
and experiences. More detail on the activities of the Nomination and 
Governance Committee during the year can be found on pages 90 
to 92.

Board performance evaluation

Improving performance is a continuous process. Last year, we 
reported on the steps taken since our first external evaluation of 
the Board in 2013 and demonstrated that steady and significant 
progress had been made to implement the recommendations. 
This improvement was supported by the results of a separate internal 
evaluation exercise in 2014, the findings of which were also used to 
prioritise areas for improvement in an action plan for 2015. In 2015, 
we focused on those priorities and improvement was once again 
supported by the results of a separate internal review. 

Following the demonstrated improvements arising from the 
recommendations made in the 2013 external review, we have once 
again commissioned an external review in 2016. More details on the 
2015 internal review and scope of the 2016 external review can be 
found on page 84.

Sustainability and community engagement

At the operations level, it is essential that we are, and continue to 
be, a good neighbour. As explained in the Managing a sustainable 
business section of the Strategic Report on page 59, Minera Los 
Pelambres is located in the Choapa River valley in the central region 
of Chile and our recently launched “Somos Choapa” (We Are 
Choapa) Programme sets up forums for the Company, communities 
and authorities to discuss social and other needs and transform them 
into plans for everyone’s benefit. This programme has demonstrated 
the power of constructive dialogue and offers fresh perspectives on 
working with our neighbours and jointly developing our communities. 
The implementation of this programme was overseen by the 
Sustainability and Stakeholder Management Committee and more 
detail is set out in the Sustainability and Stakeholder Management 
Report on pages 93 and 94.

Key objectives for 2016

One of the keys to good communication between management 
and the Board is an effective relationship between the Chairman 
and Chief Executive. This is something that Diego and I have 
achieved during our first full year as Non-Executive Chairman and 
Group CEO. In 2016 the Board and I plan to continue to focus on 
strengthening the interface between the Board and its Committees 
and management to ensure that the Group’s strategy continues 
to be implemented effectively.

Open to questions

In the following pages, we outline our approach to corporate 
governance and demonstrate how our governance practices support 
this approach. This year our reporting follows the order of the main 
principles of the Corporate Governance Code.

As always, I welcome questions or comments from shareholders 
either via our website www.antofagasta.co.uk or in person at the 
Annual General Meeting.

Jean-Paul Luksic
Chairman

Substantial shareholdings
As at 31 December 2015 and 14 March 2016, the following 
significant holdings of voting rights in the share capital of the 
Company had been disclosed to the Company under Disclosure 
and Transparency Rule 5:

Substantial shareholdings

1

1

1

3

2

3

2

1 Metalinvest Establishment
2 Kupferberg Establishment
3 Aureberg Establishment

Ordinary 
share capital  
%
50.72
9.94
4.26

Preference  
share capital 
%
94.12
–
–

Total share 
capital 
%
58.04
8.27
3.54

Metalinvest Establishment and Kupferberg Establishment 
are both controlled by the E. Abaroa Foundation (“Abaroa”), 
in which members of the Luksic family are interested. 
As explained in Note 38 to the financial statements, Metalinvest 
Establishment is the immediate Parent Company of the Group 
and the E. Abaroa Foundation is the ultimate Parent Company. 
Aureberg Establishment is controlled by the Severe Studere 
Foundation that, in turn, is controlled by Jean-Paul Luksic, the 
Chairman of the Company.

Relationship agreement
Abaroa is a controlling shareholder of the Company under the 
Listing Rules and certain other shareholders of the Company 
(including Aureberg Establishment), are also treated as 
controlling shareholders.

In 2014 the Company entered into relationship agreements 
with each controlling shareholder, which contain the mandatory 
independence provisions required by the Listing Rules. 
The Company has complied and, so far as the Directors are aware, 
each controlling shareholder and its associates have complied with 
the mandatory independence provisions at all times during 2015.

The Group has had a controlling shareholder since 1980. 
As a practical matter, the Board agreed some years ago that any 
proposed transaction between the Company and any controlling 
shareholder or its associates that is not in the ordinary course of 
business must be presented to the Board regardless of its size. 
Although infrequent, these transactions are considered, and 
if appropriate, approved by a committee of Directors who are 
independent from the controlling shareholder.

 Details of the Company’s capital structure and Directors’ authority to 
issue and buyback shares of the Company are set out in the Directors‘ 
Report on page 115.

Antofagasta plc  71

GOVERNANCEGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWCorporate Governance Report
Leadership
How the Board and its Committees operate

Antofagasta plc Board

Board Committees

The Board 

The Board is collectively responsible for the long-term success of 
the Group. It is responsible for its leadership and strategic direction, 
and for the oversight of the Group’s performance, risk and internal 
control systems.

Audit and Risk 
Committee

Nomination  
and 
Governance 
Committee

Sustainability 
and 
Stakeholder 
Management 
Committee

Projects 
Committee

Remuneration 
and Talent 
Management 
Committee

Key responsibilities include:

Board committees 

• responsibility for the overall strategic management of the Group;

• changes to the capital, corporate structure, senior management 

and control structure;

• approval of preliminary announcements, financial reports, dividend 

policy and proposals, and significant changes in accounting 
policies or practices;

• ensuring a sound system of internal control and risk management 
and determining the nature and extent of principal risks that the 
Group is willing to take in achieving its strategic objectives;

• approving material contracts and transactions;

• reviewing and approving changes to the Board’s structure, size 

and composition, ensuring adequate succession planning for the 
Board, approving appointments to the boards of key subsidiaries 
and the appointment or removal of the Company Secretary;

• recommending the appointment, re-appointment or removal of 
the external auditor to shareholders for approval, following the 
recommendation of the Audit and Risk Committee;

• submitting the Directors’ Remuneration Policy to shareholders 

for approval and approving the Directors’ remuneration;

• appointing and delegating authority to the Group CEO and 
ensuring that there is adequate succession planning for the 
Group CEO and senior management;

• reviewing the Group’s overall corporate governance 

arrangements, receiving reports of the views of the Company’s 
shareholders, undertaking a formal and rigorous annual review 
of its own performance, as well as that of the Committees and 
individual Directors, determining the independence of Directors, 
receiving declarations of interest from Directors and authorising 
any Director’s conflict of interest;

• approving key corporate policies and the schedule of matters 

reserved for the Board; and

• establishing Committees of the Board that provide assistance 

on any of the matters set out above.

Matters which are required to be decided by the Board are set out 
in the schedule of matters reserved for the Board which is available 
on the Company’s website at www.antofagasta.co.uk.

A summary of the activities of the Board during the year is set out 
on page 81.

The Board is assisted in the fulfilment of its responsibilities by the 
five Board Committees above. The Board has delegated authority 
to the Committees to perform certain activities as set out in their 
terms of reference.

The Chairman of each committee reports to the Board following 
each Committee meeting, allowing the Board to understand and 
discuss matters considered in detail by the Committee and/or 
adopt recommendations.

Terms of reference of the Projects Committee were adopted in 
August 2015 and the terms of reference for each Committee were 
amended in 2015 and are available on the Company’s website 
at www.antofagasta.co.uk.

 A summary of the activities of each of the committees during the 
year is set out on pages 85 to 96.

Group CEO 

Group CEO and the Executive Committee

The Board has delegated responsibility for implementing the 
Group’s strategic and financial objectives to Diego Hernández. 
Mr Hernández leads the teams with executive responsibility for 
running the Group’s businesses.

Mr Hernández is not a Director of Antofagasta plc but is invited 
to attend Board, Audit and Risk, Sustainability and Stakeholder 
Management, Projects and Remuneration and Talent Management 
Committee meetings.

The mining division is managed by the Antofagasta Minerals 
Executive Committee under the leadership of Iván Arriagada, 
the CEO of Antofagasta Minerals. 

Details of the members of the Executive Committee are set out 
on pages 77 and 78.

The Executive Committee reviews significant matters in respect 
of the mining division and approves capital expenditures by the 
mining operations and the corporate centre within designated 
authority levels, leads the annual budgeting and planning processes, 
monitors the performance of the mining operations, and promotes 
the sharing of best practices and policies across the operations.

The Executive Committee is assisted in the performance of 
its responsibilities by the Operational Performance Review 
Committee, the Business Development Committee and certain 
Steering Committees set up to oversee important projects. 
The responsibilities of these Committees is set out opposite. 
Members of the Executive Committee also sit on the boards 
of the Group’s operating companies and periodically report to 
Mr Hernández and the Executive Committee on the activities 
of those companies. 

Committee roles at the executive level are set out in the Executive 
Committee biographies on pages 77 and 78.

72  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Antofagasta plc Board

Audit and Risk 
Committee

Pages 86 to 89

Nomination  
and 
Governance 
Committee

Pages 90 to 92

Sustainability 
and 
Stakeholder 
Management 
Committee
Pages 93 and 94

Group CEO

Projects 
Committee
Pages 95 and 96

Remuneration 
and Talent 
Management 
Committee

Pages 96 to 111

Mining

Transport

Antofagasta Minerals  
Executive Committee

Pages 77 and 78

BD

Business 
Development 
Committee

S

Steering 
Committees

OP

Operational 
Performance 
Review Committee 

The Operational Performance Review 
Committee monitors the Group’s 
operations, with a focus on budgets, 
operational risks and investments. 
It supports and validates technical 
and operational decisions and is 
responsible for approving operational 
expenditures within approved budgets 
and small capital expenditures up to 
a set amount.

The Business Development 
Committee focuses on the mining 
division’s growth opportunities, both 
in relation to internal projects and 
potential transactions. It also oversees 
the implementation of the strategic 
business development guidelines 
and reviews and approves decisions 
regarding the portfolio of development 
in light of those strategic guidelines 
and within the approved budget and 
designated authority levels.

The Executive Committee sets up 
Steering Committees to monitor 
the implementation of important 
projects undertaken by the Group, 
both in the execution and study 
phases. The Steering Committees 
are generally responsible for 
approving technical and strategic 
project decisions, as well as approving 
certain expenditures within approved 
budgets and up to a set amount.

Antofagasta plc  73

GOVERNANCEGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWCorporate Governance Report
Leadership
Board of Directors

5

1  Jean-Paul Luksic
2  William Hayes
3  Gonzalo Menéndez
4  Ramón Jara
5  Juan Claro
6  Hugo Dryland
7  Tim Baker
8   Ollie Oliveira
9  Andrónico Luksic
10 Vivianne Blanlot
11  Jorge Bande

2

6

7

9

4

10

3

1

8

11

Key to Committees

Audit and Risk

Nomination and Governance

Sustainability and 
Stakeholder Management

Remuneration and 
Talent Management 

Key areas of expertise

Projects

Mining

Financial

Industry 

Legal

Sustainability

Government Relations 

Energy

74  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Chairman

Chairman

1 Jean-Paul Luksic

Chairman, 51

Independent: No 
The Company is controlled by foundations in which members of the Luksic family 
are interested. Brother of Andrónico Luksic. Non-Executive Director of Quiñenco 
and other companies in the Quiñenco group in common with Andrónico Luksic and 
Gonzalo Menéndez. Quiñenco is also controlled by foundations in which members 
of the Luksic family are interested.

Appointed to the Board 1990 
Appointed Chairman 2004 (Non-Executive since September 2014).

Over 20 years’ experience with Antofagasta, including responsibility for overseeing 
development of the Los Pelambres and El Tesoro (Centinela Cathodes) mines.

Previous roles:
• Chief Executive Officer of Antofagasta Minerals

Current positions:
• Chairman of the Consejo Minero, the industry body representing the largest 

mining companies operating in Chile

• Non-Executive Director of Quiñenco S.A. and other listed companies in the 

Quiñenco group: Banco de Chile and Sociedad Matriz SAAM S.A. 

Chairman

2 William Hayes

Senior Independent Director, 71

Independent: Yes

Appointed to the Board 2006
Extensive financial and operational experience in the copper and gold mining 
industries in Chile, Latin America, North America and South Africa.

Previous roles:
• Senior executive with Placer Dome Inc.
• Chairman of the Consejo Minero, the industry body representing the largest 

mining companies operating in Chile

• Chairman of the Gold Institute in Washington DC

Current positions:
• Chairman of Royal Gold Inc

3 Gonzalo Menéndez

Non‑Executive Director, 67

4 Ramón Jara

Non‑Executive Director, 62

Independent: No
Provides advisory services to the Group. 

Appointed to the Board 2003
Lawyer with wide-ranging legal and commercial experience in Chile.

Current positions:
• Chairman of the Fundación Minera Los Pelambres (charitable foundation)
• Director of the Fundación Andrónico Luksic A. (charitable foundation)

5 Juan Claro

Non‑Executive Director, 65

Independent: No
Served on the Board for more than nine years concurrently with the Chairman 
when he was performing the role of Executive Chairman.

Appointed to the Board 2005
Extensive industrial experience in Chile, including an active role representing 
Chilean industrial interests nationally and internationally.

Previous roles:
• Chairman of the Sociedad de Fomento Fabril (Chilean Society of Industrialists)
• Chairman of the Confederación de la Producción y del Comercio  

(Confederation of Chilean Business)

• Chairman of the Consejo Binacional de Negocios Chile-China  

(Council for Bilateral Business Chile-China)

Current positions:
• Chairman of Coca-Cola Andina S.A. and Energía Coyanco S.A.
• Director of several other companies in Chile, including Entel Chile S.A.,  

Empresas Cementos Melon and Agrosuper

• Member of the governing board of Centro de Estudios Públicos, a Chilean  

not-for-profit foundation

6 Hugo Dryland

Non‑Executive Director, 60

Independent: No
Provides advisory services to the Group in his capacity as a Vice-Chairman 
at Rothschild, which is a financial advisor to the Group.

Independent: No
Non-Executive Director of Quiñenco and other companies in the Quiñenco group in 
common with Jean-Paul Luksic and Andrónico Luksic. Quiñenco is also controlled 
by foundations in which the Luksic family are interested.

Appointed to the Board 2011
Lawyer with extensive expertise in corporate finance and M&A within the mining 
sector, with over 25 years of investment banking experience in natural resources 
with the Rothschild group. 

Appointed to the Board 1985
Qualified accountant with extensive experience in commercial and financial 
businesses across Latin America.

Current positions:
• Chairman of the Board of Directors of Banco Latinoamericano de Comercio 

Exterior S.A. (Bladex)

• Director of Quiñenco S.A. and other listed companies in the Quiñenco group, 

including Banco de Chile

Previous roles:
• Practising lawyer in the United States, specialising in the natural resources 

and infrastructure sectors

• Lawyer assigned to the energy group at the World Bank

Current positions:
• Executive Vice-Chairman of NM Rothschild & Sons
• Global head of Rothschild’s investment banking activities in the mining 

and metals sector

Antofagasta plc  75

GOVERNANCEGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEW10 Vivianne Blanlot

Non‑Executive Director, 61

Independent: Yes

Appointed to the Board 2014
An economist with extensive experience across the energy, mining, 
water and environmental sectors in the public and private sectors in Chile.

Previous roles:
• Executive Director of the Comisión Nacional de Medio Ambiente 

(Environmental Agency in Chile)

• Undersecretary of Comisión Nacional de Energía  

(National Energy Commission in Chile)

• Minister of Defence

Current positions:
• Director of Colbún S.A., an energy company listed in Chile
• Director of ScotiaBank Chile
• Member of the Consejo Para La Transparencia (Transparency Council), 

the Chilean body responsible for enforcing transparency in the public sector

11 Jorge Bande

Non‑Executive Director, 63

Independent: Yes

Appointed to the Board 2014
Economist with over 30 years’ experience in the mining industry.

Previous roles:
• Co-founder and Executive Director of Copper and Mining Studies (“CESCO”), 

an independent not-for-profit think tank focused on mining policy issues

• Vice President of Development and later Director of Codelco
• CEO of AMP Chile
• Advisor to the World Bank
• Member of the Global Agenda Council for Responsible Minerals Resource 

Management at the World Economic Forum

• Director of Edelnor S.A. and Electroandina S.A. (now E-CL S.A.)

Current positions:
• Director of CESCO, Inversiones Aguas Metropolitanas S.A. and Bupa Chile S.A. 
• Professor of the International Post-Graduate Programme in Mineral Economics 

at the University of Chile

• Member of the Experts Committee for Copper Prices for the Chilean Ministry 

of Finance

Corporate Governance Report
Leadership
Board of Directors

Chairman

7 Tim Baker

Non‑Executive Director, 63

Independent: Yes

Appointed to the Board 2011
Geologist with significant mining operational experience across North and 
South America and Africa which has included managing mining operations in Chile, 
the United States, Tanzania and Venezuela and geological and operating roles in 
Kenya and Liberia. 

Previous roles:
• Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Kinross Gold Corporation
• General Manager of Placer Dome Chile

Current positions:
• Chairman of Golden Star Resources
• Director of Sherritt International Corporation

Chairman

 8  Manuel Lino Silva De Sousa-

Oliveira (Ollie Oliveira)

Non‑Executive Director, 64

Independent: Yes

Appointed to the Board 2011
Chartered accountant, chartered management accountant and economist with 
over 35 years of strategic and operational experience in the mining industry and 
corporate finance.

Previous roles:
• Senior executive positions within the Anglo American group, including Executive 
Director – Corporate Finance and Head of Strategy and Business Development 
of De Beers S.A.

9 Andrónico Luksic

Non‑Executive Director, 61

Independent: No
The Company is controlled by foundations in which the Luksic family are interested. 
Brother of Jean-Paul Luksic. Chairman of Quiñenco and Chairman or Director of 
other companies in the Quiñenco group, in common with Jean-Paul Luksic and 
Gonzalo Menéndez. Quiñenco is also controlled by foundations in which members 
of the Luksic family are interested. 

Appointed to the Board 2013
Extensive experience across a range of business sectors throughout Chile, 
Latin America and Europe.

Current positions:
• Chairman of Quiñenco S.A. and Compañía Cervecerías Unidas S.A., 
Vice-Chairman of Banco de Chile and a director of Tech Pack S.A.,  
all of which are listed companies in the Quiñenco group

• Director of Nexans S.A., a company listed on NYSE Euronext Paris

76  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Corporate Governance Report
Leadership
Executive Committee

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Key to Committees

OP

BD

Operational Performance  
Review Committee 

Business Development 
Committee

E

Ethics Committee

1 Diego Hernández

Group CEO

Chairman

BD

2 Iván Arriagada

CEO of Antofagasta Minerals

BD

Joined the Group in 2012 
Mining engineer with over 40 years of senior management experience with major 
international mining companies with operations in Latin America.

Joined the Group in 2015
Commercial engineer and economist with over 20 years’ experience in the mining, 
metals and oil and gas sectors.

Previous roles:
• Chief Executive Officer of Antofagasta Minerals 
• Chief Executive Officer of Codelco
• President of BHP Billiton Base Metals division
• Executive Director of Vale do Rio Doce
• Chief Executive Officer of Compañía Minera Doña Inés de Collahuasi S.C.M.
• Chief Executive Officer of Empresa Minera de Mantos Blancos S.A.
• Various senior positions within the Anglo American group in Chile and 

with the Rio Tinto group in Brazil

Other information:
Named 2010 Copper Man of the Year by the Copper Club, New York, and received 
a gold medal award from the Chilean Institute of Engineers in 2013 in recognition 
of his contribution to the development of engineering in Chile. Mr Hernández 
is also Vice President of SONAMI, the Chilean Mining Society.

Previous roles:
• Chief Financial Officer of Codelco
• Various positions at BHP Billiton, including President of Pampa Norte 

(Spence and Cerro Colorado), Vice President Operations and Chief Financial 
Officer of the Base Metals division

• Over 15 years of international experience with Shell, in Chile, the United Kingdom, 

Argentina and the United States

3 Alfredo Atucha

BD

E

Vice President of Finance and Administration and CFO

Joined the Group in 2013
Accountant and economist with over 30 years of financial experience in the mining, 
metals, energy and FMCG sectors.

Previous roles:
• 10 years’ service at BHP Billiton as Vice President of Finance for 

Minera Escondida and Senior Manager of Base Metals Major Projects

• Finance and Administration Manager at Chilquinta Energía  

(part of Sempra Energy and PSG Group)

• CFO at Reckitt Benckiser in Spain, Brazil and Chile
• Tax Planning and Treasury at British American Tobacco

Antofagasta plc  77

GOVERNANCEGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWCorporate Governance Report
Leadership
Executive Committee

4 Patricio Enei

Vice President of Legal

E

7 Ana María Rabagliati

Vice President of Human Resources

E

Joined the Group in 2014
Lawyer with over 20 years’ experience in mining, including roles at some 
of the largest international copper companies operating in Chile.

Previous roles:
• General Counsel at Codelco
• Corporate Affairs Manager of Minera Escondida
• Senior Lawyer at BHP Billiton in Chile
• Chief Legal Counsel at Minera Doña Inés de Collahuasi
• Lawyer at the Instituto de Normalización Previsional and in private practice

Joined the Group in 2013
Human resources specialist with more than 25 years’ experience in international 
companies across a range of sectors, including financial services, industrials and 
oil and gas.

Previous roles:
• Corporate Human Resources Manager at Masisa
• Country Human Resources Vice President at Citigroup
• Human Resources Manager at the Lafarge Group in Chile
• Various positions across several divisions and areas at Shell, including 

Human Resources Manager at the Lubricants Business of Shell Oil Latin America

5 Andrónico Luksic L.

Vice President of Development

Joined the Group in 2006

Business administrator with broad mining experience in sales, exploration, 
development and general management.

Previous roles:
• Corporate Manager at Antofagasta Minerals
• Director, Antofagasta Minerals Toronto Office
• Various positions at Banco de Chile

BD

8 Gonzalo Sánchez

Vice President of Sales

Joined the Group in 1996 
Civil engineer with over 25 years’ experience in the marketing  
and hedging of metals.

Previous roles:
• Deputy Commercial Director, Antofagasta Minerals 
• Copper sales at Codelco

6 Hernán Menares

Vice President of Operations

Joined the Group in 2008 
Civil mining engineer and mineral economist, with 30 years’ experience 
in the mining and metals sectors.

Previous roles:
• Project Development Manager for the Centinela District 
• Operational and business planning roles at Codelco
• Various positions at Compañía Minera del Pacífico and Compañía Minera  

Huasco S.A.

OP

9 Francisco Veloso

Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability

Joined the Group in 1993 
Lawyer with over 20 years’ experience with Antofagasta Minerals,  
including oversight of critical phases of development at Los Pelambres.

Previous roles:
• Vice President of Legal and Corporate Affairs at Antofagasta Minerals
• Vice President of Human Resources at Antofagasta Minerals
• General Counsel at Los Pelambres
• Legal Manager at VTR
• Chief lawyer at Michilla

 For full biographies of the management team visit:  
www.antofagasta.co.uk/about-us/leadership/senior-management/

78  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Corporate Governance Report
Effectiveness
The Board in more detail

Board composition and roles

Chairman

Jean-Paul Luksic

Non-Executive Chairman. 

•  Leads the Board and ensures its effectiveness in all aspects of its duties.

 More information is provided in 
the Board biographies on pages 
74 to 76.

•  Promotes the highest standards of integrity, probity and corporate governance.

•  Sets the agenda for Board meetings in consultation with the Secretary to the Board,  

other Directors and members of senior management.

•  Chairs meetings and ensures that there is adequate time available for discussion  

of all agenda items with a focus on strategic, rather than routine, issues.

•  Promotes a culture of openness and debate within the Board by facilitating the effective 

contribution of all Directors.

•  Oversees Director development, induction, performance evaluation and relations 

with shareholders.

Senior Independent Director

William Hayes

The Board is satisfied as to 
his independence.

•  Provides a sounding board for the Chairman and supports the Chairman in the 

delivery of his objectives as required.

 More information is provided in 
the Board biographies on pages 
74 to 76.

•  Where necessary, acts as an intermediary between the Chairman and the other 

members of the Board or Group CEO.

•  Acts as an additional point of contact for shareholders focusing on the Group’s 
governance and strategy, and gives shareholders a means of raising concerns 
other than with the Chairman or senior management.

Non-Executive Directors

Ramón Jara
Hugo Dryland
Andrónico Luksic
Gonzalo Menéndez
Juan Claro

These Directors do not meet one or more 
of the independence criteria set out in the 
UK Corporate Governance Code. 

 More information is provided in 
the Board biographies on pages 
74 to 76.

Independent Non-Executive Directors

Tim Baker
Ollie Oliveira 
Vivianne Blanlot 
Jorge Bande

These Directors meet the independence 
criteria set out in the UK Corporate 
Governance Code and the Board is 
satisfied as to their independence.

 More information is provided in 
the Board biographies on pages 
74 to 76.

•  Provide a range of outside perspectives to the Group and encourage robust debate 

with, and challenge of, the Group’s executive management.

•  Ensure that no individual or small group of individuals can dominate the Board’s 

decision-making.

•  No connection with the Group or any other Director which could be seen 

to compromise independence.

•  Provide a range of outside perspectives to the Group and encourage robust debate 

with, and challenge of, the Group’s executive management.

•  Ensure that no individual or small group of individuals can dominate the 

Board’s decision-making.

Board balance

As at the date of this report the Board has 11 Directors, comprising 
a Non-Executive Chairman and ten Non-Executive Directors. 
The Board considers five of these Non-Executive Directors to be 
independent. The Board is satisfied that the balance of the Board, 
in terms of background, gender and independence, limits the scope 
for an individual or small group of individuals to dominate the Board’s 
decision-making. The Board considers that a board comprising 
exclusively of Non-Executive Directors is valuable both in terms 
of providing a range of outside perspectives to the Group and in 
encouraging robust debate with, and challenge of, the Group’s 
executive management. 

The Directors’ biographies provide details of their Committee 
memberships as well as other principal directorships and external 
roles, and demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the mining industry, 
significant international business experience and a diversity of core 
skills and experience. All Directors have confirmed that their other 
commitments do not prevent them from devoting sufficient time 
to their role. 

The Board carefully considered the independence of all Directors in 
2015 and is satisfied that William Hayes continues to demonstrate 
the qualities of independent character and judgement in carrying out 
his role as a Non-Executive Director and Senior Independent Director, 
notwithstanding that the ninth anniversary of his appointment was 
in September 2015. In reaching this conclusion, the Board has taken 
into account:

• the entirely Non-Executive composition of the Board which is 

designed to promote independent oversight of, and constructive 
challenge of, management;

• that there are no relationships or circumstances that are likely 
to affect, or could appear to affect, Mr Hayes’ judgement; and

• that Mr Hayes’ character and the manner in which he performs 

his role clearly demonstrate independent thought and judgement.

Mr Hayes retains his role as Senior Independent Director and will 
offer himself for re-election at this year’s Annual General Meeting.

Antofagasta plc  79

GOVERNANCEGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWCorporate Governance Report
Effectiveness
The Board in more detail

Board balance

Director location

Director tenure

Director independence

A

D

A

A

B

C

B

A Chile

B USA

C Canada

D UK

Board meetings and activities

Board meeting attendance

Jean-Paul Luksic
William Hayes
Gonzalo Menéndez
Ramón Jara
Juan Claro
Hugo Dryland
Tim Baker
Ollie Oliveira
Andrónico Luksic
Vivianne Blanlot
Jorge Bande 

2015 Board calendar

B

D

C

7

2

1

1

A 1–3 years

B 4–7 years

C 8–10 years

D More than 10 years

C

A Chairman

B Independent

C Non-Independent

3

3

1

4

1

5

5

Number attended
10
10
8
10
9
10
10
10
3
9
10

Maximum possible
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10
10

Ten meetings were held during 
the year.

Each Director withdrew from any 
meeting when his or her own 
position was being considered.

All Directors in office at the 
time of the 2015 Annual General 
Meeting attended that meeting.

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT 1

NOV

DEC

AGM

1 The Board met twice in October 2015.

80  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Board activities during the year

Strategy and management

Board and senior management structure

•  held two stand-alone strategy days with particular focus 

•  reviewed succession plans for all Directors and 

on projects, business development and exploration, 
competitiveness and costs, human resources and talent 
and stakeholder management

•  reviewed in detail the Group’s transport, energy and 

water strategies, including initiatives such as the need 
for a desalination plant at Los Pelambres

•  reviewed and monitored the implementation of strategy 

and performance of each Executive Committee 
members’ team during the year

members of senior management

•  oversaw the merger of the business development 
and exploration areas into a single Vice Presidency 
responsible for all development activities

•  established a Projects Committee

•  approved the Cost and Competitiveness Programme 
which is designed to mitigate the earnings reduction 
resulting from the drop in copper prices

Internal controls and risk management

Approval of material transactions

•  oversaw a review of the Group’s internal control and 

•  approved key steps in the Group’s growth plans, 

risk management systems and reported in accordance 
with these systems

executing the acquisition of 100% of Duluth Metals 
Limited and of 50% of Minera Zaldívar

•  oversaw the implementation of the new Group enterprise 

resource planning (“ERP”) system

•  approved the divestment of the Group’s water division, 
Aguas de Antofagasta S.A., and the closure of Michilla

•  reviewed the impact on the Group’s position of new tax 

legislation adopted in Chile

•  adopted revised disclosure procedures and share 

dealing policies

•  approved the merger of wholly owned subsidiary, 
CCM Encuentro, into Centinela resulting in the 
contribution of Encuentro mining properties located 
in the Centinela Mining District to Centinela

•  approved construction of a molybdenum plant and 
the pre-feasibility study for a second concentrator 
at Minera Centinela

Governance and shareholder engagement

Financial and performance reporting

•  met with shareholders and proxy advisors to discuss 

•  approved the Group’s annual and half-year results

corporate governance issues

•  reviewed and updated Board policies

•  conducted an internal evaluation of the 

Board’s effectiveness

•  reviewed the Group’s ongoing capital management 

and approved the final and interim dividends paid out 
to shareholders during 2015

•  reviewed the Group’s performance against KPIs, 

including safety indicators

•  reviewed and monitored the Group’s operational 

and project performance

•  approved the Group’s 2016 budget, scorecard, 
commercial and financial parameters, and base 
case and development case production scenarios

Antofagasta plc  81

GOVERNANCEGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWCorporate Governance Report
Effectiveness
Information and professional development

All new Directors receive a thorough induction on joining the 
Board. This typically includes briefings on the Group’s operations 
and projects, meetings with the Chairman, other Directors and 
senior executives, briefings on the legal, regulatory and other 
duties and requirements of a director of a UK-listed company 
and visits to the Group’s key operations. 

Information flow at Board meetings

Chairman agrees  
the meeting agenda

Board papers are circulated 
in advance of meetings

Board meeting 

Action list prepared,  
monitored and updated 

Key actions achieved

The Company provides Directors with the necessary resources to 
develop and update their knowledge and capabilities. In particular, 
the Directors are regularly updated on the Group’s business, 
the competitive and regulatory environment in which it operates 
and other changes affecting the Group as a whole. In 2015, this 
included detailed presentations from management during the two 
Board strategy sessions, presentations from external commercial 
intelligence firms and briefings from external advisors on key changes 
to the regulatory and legal environment impacting the Group.

The Directors based outside Chile visit the country regularly to 
attend Board meetings and for other meetings with management. 
The Directors based outside the UK also regularly visit this country, 
normally at least once a year to attend the Company’s Annual General 
Meeting, which is held in London.

The Board and its Committees receive an analysis of the matters 
for consideration in advance of each Board or Committee meeting. 
They also receive regular reports including analysis of key metrics 
in respect of operational, financial, environmental and social 
performance, as well as key developments in the Group’s exploration 
and business development activities, information on the commodity 
markets, the Group’s talent management activities and analysis of the 
Group’s financial investments. The standing topics to be covered in 
Board meetings are agreed at the beginning of the year. The standing 
topics to be considered at the planned meetings in 2016 are set out 
opposite. Pre-reading materials are sent to Board and Committee 
members a week in advance and the Board and each Committee 
maintains an action list that is reviewed at the beginning of each 
meeting to ensure that the Board’s enquiries are clearly identified 
and responded to.

All Directors have access to management and to such further 
information as is needed to carry out their duties and responsibilities 
fully and effectively. Relevant management present to the Board 
and its Committees on the operational or development matters 
under consideration, allowing close interaction between the Board 
members and a wide range of executive management.

All Directors are entitled to seek independent professional advice 
concerning the affairs of the Group at the Company’s expense. 
The Company has appropriate insurance in place to cover the 
Directors against legal action against them.

82  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

2016 Board calendar

JAN

MAR

APR

MAY

Topics

•  Interim 2015 Q4 Results

•  Interim 2015 Full-Year Results

•  Interim Q1 Results

•  Mining Operations Base Case

•  2015 Performance 
Scorecard Results

•  Compliance Report

•  Insurance Strategy

•  Risk Management Update 

•  Projects Strategy

•  Exploration Strategy

•  Human Resources Strategy

•  Sustainability Strategy

•  Resources and Reserves

•  Competitiveness and  

Costs Programme – 2016

•  Sustainability Report

•  Safety and Health Strategy

•  Legal Strategy

•  AGM Agenda

JUN

AUG

OCT

NOV

Topics

•  Group Strategy

•  Interim Q2 Results 

•  Interim Q3 Results 

•  2017 Budgets

•  Half-Year Report

•  Energy Strategy

•  2017 Performance Scorecard

•  2016 Sales Strategy

•  2017 Board Calendar and 

•  Conflicts of Interest Review

Agenda Topics

•  Financing Strategy 

•  Human Resources Update

•  Commercial and 

Financial Parameters

•  Sulphuric Acid Strategy

•  Compliance Report

•  Talent/Succession Plans

Case Study: Information and Professional Development

It is essential for the Board continually to monitor 
and understand copper market fundamentals. 
In September 2015, the Board and senior executives 
were briefed by external commercial intelligence firms 
on the condition of the copper market which included 
an in-depth analysis of supply and consumption 
expectations and variables impacting on costs. 

 More information: 
www.antofagasta.co.uk

These sessions were held between the Board strategy 
sessions and played an important role in focusing 
the discussion topics at the strategy session held 
in November.

Antofagasta plc  83

GOVERNANCEGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWCorporate Governance Report
Effectiveness
Performance evaluation

During 2015, the Company Secretary and the Secretary to the 
Board worked with the Nomination and Governance Committee 
and the Board to implement the remaining recommendations 
made by Independent Audit Limited in its externally facilitated 
evaluation of the Board in 2013 with specific focus on the areas 
for improvements that were highlighted in the 2014 internal review. 
In particular, steps were taken:

• to restructure the Board’s agenda to enhance debate and facilitate 

constructive discussion where decision-making was required 
by the Board;

• to strengthen the Board’s focus on strategic issues by prioritising 
strategic decisions in the Board’s agenda and by setting aside 
two separate sessions outside the Boardroom to focus only 
on strategy;

• to establish a Projects Committee to work with management 

on the content and depth of project reviews; and

•  to include succession planning and metrics relating to development 

plans and goals in the Human Resources Strategy and updates 
which are reviewed by the Board semi-annually. 

2015 Internal evaluation

2016 External evaluation

The Secretary to the Board also performed a separate internal 
evaluation of the performance of the Board and its Committees 
during the year. This was facilitated through a structured 
questionnaire completed by Directors. A summary of the results 
of the evaluation is as follows.

Strengths:

• understanding of roles and responsibilities and corporate 

governance responsibilities;

• the Board’s open and respectful work environment;

• the Board’s leadership in values, ethics, sustainability 

and diversity;

• the quality of Board documents including action lists and 

minutes; and

Independent Audit Limited will again conduct an externally facilitated 
evaluation of the effectiveness of the Board and its Committees 
in 2016. The purpose of this review will be to review progress in 
closing the gaps that were identified in the 2013 review, evaluate 
how the Group has responded to changes in the UK Corporate 
Governance Code, analyse the Company’s response to the new FRC 
guidance on Internal Control and Risk Management and to compare 
the way the Board and its Committees operate versus other large 
publicly-listed companies in the UK. 

This is being conducted in two phases: an initial stage in January 
has assessed positively the progress against the 2013 action plan; 
at the end of the year a follow-up will assess the further development 
of the Board’s work during 2016.

Performance Evaluation Cycle: Overview

• technically strong, committed and productive Board Committees.

2013

2014 and 2015

2016

•  External evaluation 
commenced by 
Independent 
Audit Limited 
in January 2016 

External 
evaluation 
completed by 
Independent 
Audit Limited

•  Implementation of 2013 

recommendations facilitated by 
the Company Secretary and the 
Secretary to the Board

•  Internal reviews to identify areas 

and opportunities for improvement 
in the implementation of the 
recommendations made following 
the external review

•  Annual evaluation of the Chairman 

by the Non-Executive Directors, led 
by the Senior Independent Director

Areas where improvement has been made:

• focus on strategy;

• agenda ownership and decision-making;

• risk management;

• Board policies; and

• project evaluation, reviews, approvals, stewardship and learnings.

Opportunities for further improvement:

• the need to visit Operating Companies;

• learning from market and peers’ initiatives;

• improving time management during sessions;

• striking an appropriate balance between mining and 

transport division reporting;

• further strengthening the focus on Board succession planning, 

training and people issues; and

• continuing to consider strategic opportunities for overseas growth.

During the year, led by the Senior Independent Director, 
the Non-Executive Directors met without the Chairman present 
and evaluated the Chairman’s performance. The Senior Independent 
Director and the Secretary to the Board subsequently met with the 
Chairman to provide feedback. The Chairman used these comments 
further to develop the effective operation of the Board.

84  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Corporate Governance Report
Accountability
Board Committees

William Hayes
Chairman of the  
Audit and Risk Committee

Audit and  
Risk Committee

  Read more on pages 86 to 89.

Jean-Paul Luksic
Chairman of the Nomination 
and Governance Committee

Nomination and  
Governance Committee

Ramón Jara
Chairman of the  
Sustainability and Stakeholder 
Management Committee

Ollie Oliveira
Chairman of the 
Projects Committee

Tim Baker
Chairman of the 
Remuneration and Talent 
Management Committee

  Read more on pages 90 to 92.

Sustainability  
and Stakeholder  
Management Committee

  Read more on pages 93 and 94.

Projects Committee

  Read more on pages 95 and 96.

Remuneration and 
Talent Management  
Committee

  Read more on pages 96 to 111.

Antofagasta plc  85

GOVERNANCEGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWIn a period of challenging economic 
conditions, strong internal control and 
high-quality reporting are more important 
than ever. Accordingly, we have continued 
to focus on ensuring that the Group benefits 
from a robust and independent external audit 
process, and strong internal risk management.

Following the appointment of PwC as the Group’s new auditor, we 
have closely monitored the transition process as it has undertaken 
its first year’s audit of the Group’s results. Over the course of the 
year we have reviewed the planning undertaken by PwC and the 
Group’s management, and the ongoing execution of those plans. 
As a consequence, I’m pleased to say that we have been able to 
achieve a smooth and effective transition. On a personal level I 
have been focused on building a strong working relationship with 
Jason Burkitt, the Group’s new lead audit partner.

In terms of risk management, the Committee strongly believes in the 
benefit of direct interaction between the Committee and the Group’s 
operations. Accordingly, each of the General Managers of the Group’s 
operations reports directly to the Committee at least once a year, 
updating the Committee on the trends in their operation’s key risks, 
and any significant materialised risks. This is important both in terms 
of the Committee maintaining a close understanding of how the 
Group’s risk management processes are really working in practice, 
and also in providing an opportunity for the Committee to directly 
emphasise the importance of strong controls and risk management 
being embedded in the core day-to-day activities of all of the 
Group’s operations.

William Hayes
Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee

Corporate Governance Report
Accountability
Audit and Risk Committee

Membership and meeting attendance

William Hayes (Chairman)
Ollie Oliveira
Jorge Bande

Number 
attended
4
4
4

Maximum 
possible
4
4
4

Key activities in 2015

•  Monitored the transition to PwC as the Group’s new external 
auditor, following the tender process conducted during 2014, 
and reviewed its independence and effectiveness.

•  Reviewed relevant aspects of the development of the Group’s 

new Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) system (which has 
been implemented from 1 January 2016 onwards), including 
Internal Audit’s reviews over the design and implementation 
of the system.

•  Reviewed the Group’s annual and half-year results, including 
the significant accounting issues relevant to those results.
•  Reviewed the activities and key findings of the Company’s 
Internal Audit function during the year, and reviewed and 
approved the 2016 Internal Audit work plan.

•  Reviewed the effectiveness of the risk management function 
and the Group’s system of internal control, including reviews 
of the Group’s principal risks and how those risks are managed 
or mitigated.

•  Reviewed updates from the General Managers of the 

Group’s operations in relation to their specific key risks 
and control activities.

86  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Role and responsibilities of the Audit and Risk Committee

The purpose of the Audit and Risk Committee is to assist the Board in 
meeting its responsibilities relating to financial reporting and control. 
The Committee is responsible for overseeing the Group’s relationship 
with the external auditor and monitoring the effectiveness of the 
Group’s Internal Audit and risk management functions.

The Committee meets at least three times a year, with the external 
auditors in attendance. There is a rolling agenda that covers regular 
matters such as the review of the year end financial statements and 
half-yearly financial report, planning for the year end reporting and 
external audit processes, monitoring the Group’s tax strategy and 
processes, reviewing the Internal Audit work plan and reports from 
the risk management function, as well as providing time for ad-hoc 
matters requiring the Committee’s consideration. The Committee 
held four meetings during 2015.

Audit and Risk Committee membership

The members of the Committee and their attendance at meetings 
of the Committee during the year are shown in the table opposite. 
Biographical details of the members of the Committee, including 
relevant qualifications and experience, are set out on pages 74 to 
76. All of the Committee members are considered by the Board 
to be independent Non-Executive Directors. William Hayes and 
Ollie Oliveira are considered to have recent and relevant financial 
experience. The Committee received briefings during the year on 
developments in financial reporting requirements and other relevant 
regulatory changes.

Financial reporting

The Committee monitors the integrity of the Group’s financial 
reporting. It reviews whether the Group’s accounting policies are 
appropriate, and whether management’s estimates and judgements 
applied in the financial statements are reasonable. The Committee 
reviews the year end financial statements and half-yearly financial 
report, as well as other relevant external financial reports. 
The Committee also reviews the going concern basis adopted in the 
year end financial statements and half-yearly financial report, prior 
to its endorsement by the Board.

The key internal controls over the financial reporting process include 
appropriate segregation of duties, ensuring adequate resources, 
technical expertise and experience in the operations’ and corporate 
centre’s accounting teams, application of consistent accounting 
policies as set out in the Group’s detailed accounting policies 
manual, robust review processes over the results, balances and 
key accounting judgements both within the individual operations 
and also by the corporate centre and effective financial reporting 
systems. A key area of focus for the Group during 2015 has been the 
completion of the development of a new unified ERP system for the 
Group, which has been implemented from 1 January 2016 onwards.

Fair, balanced and understandable

At the request of the Board, the Committee considered the 2015 
Annual Report and Financial Statements and concluded that, taken 
as a whole, this was fair, balanced and understandable, and provided 
the necessary information to allow shareholders to assess the 
Group’s position and performance, business model and strategy.

Significant issues in relation to the financial statements 
considered by the Committee in 2015

1. Carrying value of assets
Following the significant deterioration in the commodity price 
environment in late 2015 and early 2016, reviews were undertaken 
of the carrying value of the Group’s assets, in particular in respect of 
Antucoya and Centinela. These reviews indicated the carrying value 
of those assets was fully recoverable, and accordingly no impairment 
was appropriate. Details of the impairment reviews are set out in 
Note 15 to the financial statements.

The Committee reviews the key assumptions used in the 
impairment reviews, including copper price forecasts and other 
relevant assumptions including future cost and production levels. 
The Committee reviews the disclosures in respect of the impairment 
reviews, including the sensitivities of the valuations to changes in 
key assumptions.

2. Zaldívar acquisition
Review of the accounting for the Group’s acquisition of its 50% stake 
in Minera Zaldívar SpA (“Zaldívar”), including the treatment of that 
investment as a joint venture, and the determination of the fair values 
of the assets and liabilities acquired.

The Committee reviewed the key factors relevant to the 
determination that the Group exercises joint control over Zaldívar, 
and the key assumptions and results of the fair value assessment.

3. Mine closure provisions
Consideration of the appropriateness of the provision balances in 
respect of future mine closure costs. The Group’s closure provisions 
are detailed in Note 30 to the financial statements.

The Committee reviews significant movements in the closure 
provision balances, and key assumptions used in the calculation 
of the provisions.

4. Capitalisation of costs
Consideration of the appropriateness of the capitalisation of property, 
plant and equipment, in particular in respect of significant project 
expenditure. Details of additions to property, plant and equipment 
are set out in Note 14 to the financial statements.

The Committee reviews significant additional capitalised amounts, 
in particular in respect of major project expenditure, including 
consideration of the commercial viability of the relevant projects.

External audit

The Committee is responsible for overseeing the Group’s relationship 
with the external auditor. The Committee reviews and approves 
the scope of the external audit and the external auditor’s terms of 
engagement and fees. The Committee monitors the effectiveness 
of the external audit process and is responsible for ensuring the 
independence of the external auditor. The Committee is also 
responsible for making recommendations to the Board for the 
appointment, re-appointment or removal of the external auditor.

The Committee meets with the external auditor without 
management present at least once a year.

Antofagasta plc  87

GOVERNANCEGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWEffectiveness of the external audit process

The Committee has reviewed the effectiveness of the external 
audit process during the year, including consideration of the 
following factors:

• the appropriateness of the proposed audit plan, the significant risk 

areas and areas of focus, and the effective performance of the audit 
in line with the agreed plan;

• the technical skills and industry experience of the audit engagement 

partner and the wider audit team;

• the quality of the external auditor’s reporting to the Committee;

• the effectiveness of the co-ordination between the UK and Chilean 

audit teams;

• the effectiveness of the interaction and relationship between the 

Group’s management and the external auditor;

• feedback from management, including questionnaires completed 
by the operations’ finance teams, in respect of the effectiveness 
of the audit processes for each business unit;

• consideration of the auditor’s management letter and, in particular, 
the view this provides of the auditor’s level of understanding and 
insight into the Group’s operations; and

• review of reports from the external auditor detailing its firm’s 

internal quality control procedures, as well as the auditor’s annual 
transparency report.

Internal Audit

The Committee monitors and reviews the effectiveness of the 
Group’s Internal Audit function. The Head of Internal Audit reports 
directly to the Committee and meets with the Committee without 
management present during the course of the year.

The Head of Internal Audit presents to the Committee several times 
during the year. The Committee reviews and approves Internal 
Audit’s plan of work for the coming year, including the department’s 
budget, head count and other resources. Internal Audit then reports 
to the Committee on the department’s performance of its work 
in comparison with the approved plan. Summaries of the audits 
undertaken during the year are presented to the Committee, as 
well as follow-up on management’s response to Internal Audit’s 
recommendations. All individual Internal Audit reports are distributed 
to the Committee members once they have been finalised.

During 2014, an independent review of the effectiveness of the 
Internal Audit function was undertaken by Independent Audit Limited. 
The Audit Committee reviewed that the implementation of the 
recommendations was completed as planned during 2015.

Corporate Governance Report
Accountability
Audit and Risk Committee

Audit tender process

A tender process was conducted during 2014 and resulted 
in the Committee recommending to the Board that 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) be recommended to 
shareholders for appointment as the Group’s external auditor 
for the 2015 financial year onwards, replacing Deloitte LLP. 
Shareholders formally appointed PwC as the Group’s external auditor 
at the 2015 Annual General Meeting in May 2015.

Accordingly, 2015 is PwC’s first year as the Group’s external auditor.

In line with relevant regulatory guidance, the Committee expects to 
generally undertake a tender process in respect of the external audit 
at least every ten years.

The Statutory Audit Services for Large Companies Market 
Investigation (Mandatory Use of Competitive Tender 
Processes and Audit Committee Responsibilities) Order 
2014 – statement of compliance

The Company confirms that it complied with the provisions of the 
Competition and Markets Authority’s Order for the financial year 
under review.

Independence and objectivity of the external auditor

The Committee monitors the external auditor’s independence 
and objectivity.

The Company has a policy in place that aims to safeguard the 
independence and objectivity of the external auditor. This includes 
measures in respect of the potential employment of former auditors, 
the types of non-audit services that the external auditor may and 
may not provide to the Group, and the approval process in respect 
of permitted non-audit services. Non-audit services that the external 
auditor is not permitted to provide under the policy include Internal 
Audit outsourcing, valuation services that would be used for financial 
accounting purposes, preparation of the Group’s accounting records 
or financial statements, and financial information systems’ design and 
implementation. Certain permitted non-audit services always require 
prior approval by the Committee, whereas certain other services 
require prior approval by the Committee when the related fees are 
above specified levels (currently $50,000 for a single engagement 
or a cumulative annual amount of $400,000). In addition to this 
approval process for specific non-audit services, the Audit and Risk 
Committee monitors the total level of non-audit services to ensure 
that neither the objectivity nor the independence of the external 
auditor is put at risk.

A breakdown of the audit and non-audit fees is disclosed in Note 6 
to the financial statements. The Company’s external auditor for the 
2015 financial year, PwC, has provided non-audit services (excluding 
audit-related services) which amounted to $0.2 million or 12% of 
the fee for audit and audit-related services. This mainly related to 
environmental consulting services. In general, where the external 
auditor is selected to provide non-audit services it is because they 
are considered to have specific expertise or experience in the 
relevant area which means they are the most suitable provider of 
those services. The Committee has reviewed the level of these 
services in the course of the year and is confident that the objectivity 
and independence of the auditor is not impaired by reason of such 
non-audit work.

The external auditor also provides a report to the Committee at 
least once a year, setting out its firm’s policies and procedures 
for maintaining its independence.

The Committee considers that PwC remained independent 
and objective throughout 2015.

88  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Risk management reporting process overview

Crime Prevention 
Officer

Appointment and 
activities overseen 
by the Audit and 
Risk Committee

Whistleblowing

Reports presented 
every quarter

General Managers 
of the Operations

Present the operations 
most significant risks at 
least once a year

Board

Audit and Risk 
Committee

Chairman reports to the 
Board after each meeting

Supports the Board in 
reviewing the effectiveness 
of the Group’s risk 
management and internal 
control systems

Risk Management 
Function

Present developments 
of the Group’s risk 
management processes 
and Group-level strategic 
risk at least twice 
per year

Report on Group’s Crime 
Prevention Model in 
accordance with Chilean 
anti-corruption legislation

Risk and compliance management and internal control

The Board has ultimate responsibility for overseeing the Group’s key 
risks, as well as for maintaining sound risk management and internal 
control systems. The Group’s system of internal control is designed 
to manage rather than eliminate the risk of failure in order to achieve 
business objectives, and can only provide reasonable and not 
absolute assurance against material misstatement or loss.

The Committee plays a key role in assisting the Board with its 
responsibilities in respect of risk and related controls. The risk 
management function presents to the Committee several times 
during the year, and presentations include details of developments in 
the Group’s overall risk management processes and key Group-level 
strategic risks. The General Managers of the Group’s operations, 
including the transport and water divisions (until the date of its 
disposal), also present to the Committee, with each operation 
typically presenting at least once a year. The presentations include 
details of the operation’s most significant risks and related mitigating 
controls, and any significant control issues that have arisen.

The Committee ensures that appropriate compliance policies and 
procedures are observed throughout the Group. The Committee is 
responsible for making recommendations to the Board in respect 
of the appointment of the Group’s Crime Prevention Officer, and 
generally monitors and oversees the performance of the Crime 
Prevention Officer’s role. The Crime Prevention Officer is currently 
the Vice President of Finance and Administration. The Committee 
receives reports from the risk management function in respect of 
the Group’s Crime Prevention Model, in accordance with Chilean 
anti-corruption legislation.

The Committee is also responsible for reviewing the Group’s 
whistleblowing arrangements, which enable staff and contractors 
to raise concerns in confidence about possible improprieties or 
non-compliance with the Group’s Code of Ethics. The Committee 
receives quarterly reports on whistleblowing incidents. It remains 
satisfied that the procedures in place allow for the proportionate 
and independent investigation of matters raised and for appropriate 
follow-up action.

As discussed in the Risk management section on page 33, the 
Committee assists the Board with its assessment of the Group’s 
key risks and its review of the effectiveness of the risk management 
process. The Chairman of the Committee reports to the Board 
following each Committee meeting, allowing the Board to understand 
and, if necessary, discuss the matters considered in detail by the 
Committee. These processes have assisted the Board in carrying 
out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Company, 
including those that would threaten its business model, future 
performance, solvency or liquidity, and to assess the acceptability 
of the level of risks that arise from the Group’s operations and 
development activities. The Group’s principal risks, along with details 
of how those risks are managed or mitigated are set out in the Risk 
management section of the Strategic Report on pages 32 to 38.

Each year the Board, with the support of the Committee, reviews 
the effectiveness of the Group’s risk management and internal control 
systems. The review covers all material controls, including financial, 
operational and compliance controls. During 2015, a review of the 
risk management and internal control systems was performed by the 
Committee, with the Chairman of the Committee reporting back to 
the Board on its findings. No significant failures or weaknesses were 
identified as a result of this review.

Further information relating to the Group’s risk and management 
systems is given in the Risk management section of the Strategic 
Report on pages 32 to 38.

Antofagasta plc  89

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Accountability
Nomination and Governance Committee

Membership and meeting attendance

Jean-Paul Luksic (Chairman)
William Hayes
Tim Baker 

Number 
attended
3
3
3

Maximum 
possible
3
3
3

Key activities in 2015

•  Oversaw implementation of the remaining recommendations 

made in the 2013 externally facilitated Board evaluation 
and areas of specific focus highlighted in the 2014 
internal evaluation.

•  Reviewed and approved the scope of the Company’s second 

externally facilitated Board evaluation for 2016.

•  Reviewed the composition and balance of the Board and 
its Committees, resulting in changes to the composition 
of the Audit and Risk and Sustainability and Stakeholder 
Management Committees.

•  Recommended the creation of a Projects Committee to the 

Board for approval.

•  Reviewed the Company’s corporate governance arrangements 
and recommended certain changes to the Board for approval.

•  Reviewed Director independence, and succession plans for 

the Board.

•  Recommended revised Board policies and procedures to the 

Board for approval.

•  Recommended revised policies and procedures addressing 
the Group’s regulatory obligations in the UK to the Board 
for approval.

•  Proactively engaged with shareholders on corporate 

governance issues.

90  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

We have a strong and committed Board of 
Non-Executive Directors with a broad and 
complementary set of skills and experiences. 

This year has seen relative stability at Board and committee level 
following the appointments of two independent Non-Executive 
Directors and a change to the composition of the committees in 
2014. Our focus therefore has shifted from making appointments and 
ensuring that new Directors or Committee members receive a full 
induction, appropriate training and experience, to succession planning 
for the medium term, both at Board and Senior Management level.

As noted in my introduction to the Corporate Governance Report, the 
Committee will continue to monitor the composition of the Board and 
its committees in 2016. This will ensure that they are appropriately 
staffed and that we continue to benefit from shared knowledge and 
experience as well as fresh ideas, so that we are in the best possible 
position to secure long-term growth and profitability. The Committee 
is also monitoring developments in connection with the FRC’s recent 
focus on UK Board Succession Planning.

The Board Committees are proactive and work hard to help the Board 
to challenge management constructively and ensure that matters 
that come to the Board for approval have been thoroughly analysed 
and well thought-out. With the creation of the Projects Committee, 
we have a broad and appropriate set of committees to ensure that 
Board meetings include significant focus on strategic issues without 
compromising the depth of knowledge required to support effective 
decision-making.

Below Board level, Diego Hernández has continued to work with 
the CEO of Antofagasta Minerals, Iván Arriagada, and the Executive 
Committee to rigorously implement our strategy of:

• strengthening the Group’s position in a challenging environment;

• optimising our business portfolio; and

• maintaining our discipline, austerity and ability 

to seize opportunities.

Since joining the Group in 2012 as CEO of the mining division, 
Diego Hernández has led significant changes in the mining Group. 
These include restructuring the Executive Committee, as well as 
reporting lines from the mining operations and internal control and 
governance structures at the senior executive level. Following his 
appointment as Group CEO in 2014, Diego has overseen the sale 
of the Group’s water business, a restructuring of the internal control 
and governance structures within the railway business, and a further 
consolidation and simplification of reporting lines across the Group.

I touched on the impact of the Committee’s focus on corporate 
governance in my introduction to the Corporate Governance Report; 
evidence of the Group’s progress can be seen below and throughout 
the Annual Report.

Jean-Paul Luksic
Chairman of the Nomination and Governance Committee 

Role and responsibilities of the Nomination and  
Governance Committee

The Nomination and Governance Committee is responsible for 
leading the process of identifying suitable candidates to fill vacancies 
on the Board and in Senior Management, for nominating such 
candidates for the approval of the Board and for ensuring that 
appointments are made on merit and against objective criteria. 
The Committee is responsible for evaluating and overseeing the 
balance of skills, knowledge and experience on the Board and its 
Committees, reviewing the independence of Directors from time 
to time and overseeing succession plans for the Board.

The Committee is also responsible for overseeing the Board’s 
governance arrangements, monitoring trends, initiatives and 
proposals in relation to governance matters, and reviewing the 
Company’s corporate governance framework at least annually and 
recommending any changes to the Board.

The Committee meets as necessary and at least twice per year.

Nomination and Governance Committee membership

The members of the Committee and their attendance at meetings 
of the Committee during the year are shown in the table opposite. 
Biographical details of the members of the Committee, including 
relevant qualifications and experience, are set out on pages 74 to 76. 
Except for the Chairman, all Committee members are considered by 
the Board to be independent.

Board evaluations

As explained on page 84, an internal Board evaluation was 
conducted during the year which demonstrated that significant 
progress has been made in implementing all the recommendations 
made following the 2013 external evaluation. The Committee 
reviewed and approved the scope of the external evaluation for 2016. 

Appointments to the Board

In making appointments to the Board, the Committee considers 
the skills, experience and knowledge of the existing Directors 
and identifies potential candidates who would best contribute to 
maintaining a strong Board with broad and complementary skills and 
experiences. The Committee assesses the candidates based on a 
number of criteria, including relevant experience, skills, personality 
type, whether they would contribute to a diverse Board composition 
and whether they have sufficient time to devote to the role. Following  
the changes to the Chairman’s role and the appointment of two 
new independent Non-Executive Directors in 2014, there were 
no changes to the Board’s composition in 2015.

Antofagasta plc  91

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Accountability
Nomination and Governance Committee

Board induction and training

Succession planning

The Chairman is responsible for ensuring that any new Directors are 
provided with a full induction on joining the Board and the Secretary 
to the Board and the Company Secretary both assist the Chairman 
with this process. During the recruitment process, the Committee 
also advises potential candidates of the Company’s values, business 
culture and challenges, as well as expectations of time commitment 
to meet both Board and committee objectives. 

The Committee periodically reviews the composition of the Board 
and its Committees. The Committee regularly discusses relevant 
profiles for future appointments and when required, assists the Board 
to identify appropriate candidates for appointment to ensure that the 
Board remains balanced as regards skills, knowledge, experience 
and independence. The Committee reviewed succession plans 
for all of the Directors, including Committee roles, in 2015. 

Appointments to committees

Corporate governance

As noted above, the Committee periodically reviews the composition 
of the committees and reviews and implements succession plans to 
ensure that vacancies can be appropriately filled while preserving an 
adequate balance of skills, knowledge, experience and independence.

During 2015, Tim Baker rotated off the Audit and Risk Committee and 
joined the Sustainability and Stakeholder Management Committee. 
There are now four Directors serving on the Sustainability and 
Stakeholder Management Committee. As explained on pages 93 
and 94, engaging with the Group’s stakeholders to resolve long-term 
issues is a key objective for the Group and Mr Baker’s appointment 
to the Sustainability and Stakeholder Management Committee is 
intended to further support the Group in achieving this objective.

The Committee also recommended the creation of the Projects 
Committee during the year, comprising of Ollie Oliveira as 
Chairman and Jorge Bande and Tim Baker as members. One of the 
recommendations from the 2013 external Board evaluation was for 
the Board to focus greater attention on project reviews, approvals and 
execution. The Projects Committee has been tasked with assisting 
the Board with this responsibility. As explained on pages 74 to 76, 
all three Directors have significant mining experience and are well 
placed to carry out the Projects Committee’s objectives. 

Boardroom diversity

The Board is comprised of highly capable and committed individuals 
with a diverse range of technical skills, backgrounds, expertise, 
nationalities and perspectives.

The Board benefits from the diversity of personal attributes among 
Board members. Diversity of views, attitudes, background and 
gender is important to ensure that the Board is not composed 
solely of like-minded individuals. As part of its annual evaluation, 
the Board assesses its effectiveness in meeting its diversity goals.

The Board believes in the benefits of diversity on the Board, including 
gender. The Board has the objective of continuing to have at least one 
female Director and will take advantage of opportunities to increase 
female representation while continuing to appoint Directors based 
on merit.

The Committee is responsible for monitoring the Board’s corporate 
governance arrangements, reviewing the Company’s corporate 
governance framework at least annually and recommending changes 
to the Board. During the year, the Committee reviewed and revised 
a series of policies and procedures that apply to the Board, including 
in relation to succession planning, market disclosure procedures and 
share dealing.

As required, the Committee reviews and presents to the Board 
any updates to committees’ terms of reference, the schedule 
of matters reserved for the Board, and documents outlining the 
specific responsibilities of the Chairman, the Group CEO and the 
Senior Independent Director. These documents were thoroughly 
reviewed in 2014 and revised versions were adopted in March 2015. 
It is expected that some further refinements will be reviewed by the 
Committee during 2016.

Re-election

In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, all 
Directors will stand for re-election at this year’s Annual General 
Meeting on 18 May 2016. As is required under the Listing Rules, 
independent Non-Executive Directors will be subject to a dual 
vote by shareholders, which means that each resolution to re-elect 
an independent Non-Executive Director must be approved by 
both a majority vote of all shareholders and a majority vote of the 
Company’s independent shareholders. Each year the Committee 
performs a thorough review of each Director’s independence during 
the year. Having taken into account the results of the performance 
evaluation of the Board (see page 84), the Board is satisfied that 
each of the Directors continues to be effective and demonstrates 
commitment to his or her role, and therefore recommends each 
of them for re-election.

92  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Corporate Governance Report
Accountability
Sustainability and Stakeholder Management Committee

The Committee was particularly active in 2015 
as it oversaw the implementation of major steps 
to strengthen the Group’s safety, environmental 
and social performance, and evaluated the 
Group’s performance and strategies in these 
areas in light of the challenges that we faced 
during the year.

We were deeply saddened by the tragic fatal accident at Michilla 
in the first half of the year involving Sr Sergio Bruna Cortés, 
an employee of one of our contractors. This fatality followed 
the implementation of our new safety and health model in 2014, 
which has as one of its central aims stopping all fatalities in the 
Group. The Group remains committed to that aim and the Committee 
thoroughly reviewed the results of the independent investigation 
into this incident and the lessons learned, and these were extensively 
communicated throughout the Group. The Committee regularly 
reviews Group performance against the safety and health model 
to ensure that the objectives of the model are being achieved.

Earlier in the year, some members of one of the communities near 
Los Pelambres staged demonstrations and blocked access along the 
road leading to the mine. Through constructive dialogue this conflict 
was resolved. 

The Group, with oversight from the Committee, has continued to 
implement the Group’s new community engagement model in 
2015. The new model is based on promoting a wide engagement 
process with the local communities and with the provinces’ four 
municipalities, to jointly identify local challenges and opportunities. 
This model recognises that the future development of Los Pelambres 
and other areas within Los Pelambres’ zone of influence depends 
on committed and sustained collaboration between the community, 
the Government and the Group.

The Committee closely oversaw implementation of the engagement 
model during the year with a focus on ensuring that all activities, 
programmes and expenditures in the area were aligned. The new 
model includes community consultation to agree on a portfolio 
of projects, in line with the public policy for the area, which will be 
designed and executed with public support. The Committee believes 
that this community engagement model can be replicated, with 
appropriate modifications to the local environment, at our operations 
in the north of Chile and will continue to oversee this development 
in 2016.

Antofagasta plc  93

Membership and meeting attendance

Ramón Jara (Chairman)
Juan Claro
Tim Baker (joined the Committee 
on 18 August 2015)
Vivianne Blanlot 

Number 
attended
7
7

Maximum 
possible
7
7

3
7

3
7

Key activities in 2015

•  Reviewed personal accident and environmental incident reports 
and followed up on committed actions to prevent recurrence.

•  Oversaw the development and implementation of a new 
community engagement programme at Los Pelambres.

•  Evaluated environmental risks and mitigating actions, 

including water availability and possible initiatives such as 
the construction of a desalination plant for Los Pelambres.

•  Analysed operational response to the earthquake which 

impacted Los Pelambres.

•  Reviewed Michilla’s plan to put the site on care and maintenance.
•  Reviewed sustainability aspects of development projects at 

Centinela, Los Pelambres and Alto Maipo including processes 
to obtain the required Environmental Impact Studies and 
Environmental Impact Declarations.

•  Reviewed the mining division’s communications strategy 

and co-ordination with non-mining businesses.

•  Evaluated expenditure related to social plans.
•  Reviewed environmental compliance at Los Pelambres  

and the Antofagasta port.

•  Oversaw the process by which Antofagasta Minerals  

is fulfilling its commitments made with the ICMM.

•  Reviewed and approved the 2015 Antofagasta Minerals 

Sustainability Report.

GOVERNANCEGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWCorporate Governance Report
Accountability
Sustainability and Stakeholder Management Committee

The discussion forums that have been set up as part of the new 
engagement model were particularly helpful for co-ordinating the 
assistance efforts following the extremely powerful September 
earthquake. This measured 8.4 on the Richter scale at the 
epicentre which was less than 100 km from the Mauro tailings 
dam. The earthquake did not damage the Mauro tailings dam and 
representatives from the local community and independent experts 
were invited to verify the structural integrity of the dam immediately 
following the earthquake.

The Committee continued to oversee the work being done by the 
Group to meet its commitments as a member of the International 
Council on Mining and Metals (“ICMM”), which included reviewing 
revised mine closure guidelines and procedures. Michilla is the 
Group’s only underground mine and over the course of the year 

the Committee oversaw the successful process of putting the 
mine on care and maintenance. There was a special focus on 
safety, environmental and social aspects of the closure as well as 
on the implementation of the stakeholder management plan with 
employees, authorities and the local communities.

2016 will be another important year for the Group to ensure that 
it maintains its social licence to operate and continues to improve 
its performance against sustainability indicators.

Ramón Jara
Chairman of the Sustainability and  
Stakeholder Management Committee

Role and responsibilities of the Sustainability 
and Stakeholder Management Committee

The Board has ultimate responsibility for sustainability. 
The Committee assists the Board in the stewardship of the Group’s 
social responsibility programmes and makes recommendations to 
the Board to ensure that ethical, safety and health, environmental, 
social and community considerations are taken into account in the 
Board’s deliberations.

The Committee provides guidance to the Group in relation to 
sustainability matters generally, reviewing and updating the 
Group’s framework of policies and strategies, including safety and 
health, environmental, climate change, human rights, community 
and other stakeholder issues, and monitoring and reviewing the 
Group’s performance in respect of sustainability matters, indicators 
and targets. When necessary, the Committee escalates matters 
of concern to the Board.

 For details on the Group’s sustainability performance in 2015, see 
the Managing a sustainable business section of the Strategic Report 
on pages 53 to 63.

Sustainability and Stakeholder Management 
Committee Membership

The members of the Committee and their attendance at meetings 
of the Committee during the year are shown in the table on page 
93. Biographical details of the members of the Committee, including 
qualifications and experience, are set out on pages 74 to 76.

Safety and health
A core responsibility of the Committee is to monitor and report on the 
implementation of the Group safety and health model, to investigate 
any negative performance and to make recommendations to the 
Board. Details of the Group’s safety and health model are set out in 
the Managing a sustainable business section of the Strategic Report 
on pages 53 to 63.

The Group’s objective is to achieve zero fatalities for employees and 
contractors and the Committee will continue actively to monitor the 
Group’s performance in 2016.

Community relations
The Committee is responsible for reviewing the Group’s community 
engagement strategies and in 2015, the Committee reviewed 
progress on the implementation of a new community relations 
programme at Los Pelambres, working with the community and 
the Government to create a shared vision of social and environmental 
priorities and corresponding projects to be developed over the 
coming years.

Consultation, commitment to regional development and responding 
to complaints are fundamental components of this strategy, as 
explained in more detail in the Managing a sustainable business 
section of the Strategic Report on pages 53 to 63.

Environment
As part of the Committee’s responsibilities to make 
recommendations for developing and updating policies and 
standards, the Committee continued to oversee the work being 
done by the Group to meet its commitments as a member of the 
ICMM following its acceptance as a member in 2014. This included 
approving the development of:

• a climate change strategy to determine a feasible goal on reduction 

of greenhouse gas emissions;

• a biodiversity strategy, including a baseline for future projects and 

a biodiversity standard; and

• revised mine closure guidelines and procedures.

These will be ready for review in 2016. The Committee also reviewed 
the preparation, submission and review of the Environmental Impact 
Study for the Centinela Second Concentrator Project.

Further details are set out in the Managing a sustainable business section 
of the Strategic Report on pages 53 to 63.

 The Antofagasta Minerals Sustainability Report provides further information 
on its social and environmental performance and is available on the 
Company’s website at www.antofagasta.co.uk.

94  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Corporate Governance Report
Accountability
Projects Committee

Membership and meeting attendance

Ollie Oliveira (Chairman)
Jorge Bande
Tim Baker 

Number 
attended
4
4
4

Maximum 
possible
4
4
4

Key activities in 2015

•  Reviewed the role, responsibilities and objectives 
of the Committee and its terms of reference.

•  Reviewed the Asset Delivery System and its application 

to the Group’s mining projects.

•  Reviewed the Group’s mining projects portfolio and 

strategic drivers.

•  Reviewed the Antucoya project’s commissioning progress, 

challenges and actions taken.

•  Reviewed progress in relation to the Los Pelambres 

Incremental Expansion.

•  Reviewed the Centinela Second Concentrator project.
•  Reviewed the Twin Metals project.
•  Reviewed Los Pelambres’ New Industrial Mining 

Installations project.

I am pleased to report that the new Projects 
Committee, created by the Board in June 2015, 
had a busy start with four full meetings during 
the second half of the year.

The Committee adds an important level of governance and control 
for the evaluation of the Group’s projects, and will play a key role in 
providing the Board with additional oversight of the Group’s projects 
portfolio, development proposals, milestones and performance 
against key indicators.

It is important to clarify that the Committee is not responsible 
for approving projects – that is for the Board to decide. Its role 
is to assist the Board by ensuring that all of the Group’s projects 
follow a standard, structured procedure with consistent analysis, 
execution and evaluation practices. As part of its review process, the 
Committee invites management to consider different perspectives, 
ideas and improvements, with the aim of enhancing focused 
discussion within the Board and ultimately, an increase in the 
value of the Group’s projects.

The Committee adds value through:

• early detection of issues, opportunities and challenges;

• evaluation of projects’ planning and organisation;

• formal evaluations at project closing; and

• challenging the projects’ technical teams by offering different 

points of view.

One of the first tasks undertaken by the Committee was to review 
the Asset Delivery System (“ADS”) and its application as a standard 
project development framework for the Group’s mining projects. 
The Committee highlighted that quality assurance reviews should 
be undertaken at key stages of a project, requesting that the quality 
assurance team reports its conclusions each time to the Committee.

Looking to 2016, the Committee will play a key role in recommending 
improvements to the schedule of projects that are currently in the 
execution phase to maximise cash availability, while ensuring that 
projects continue to meet critical milestones. The Committee will 
also carefully assess progress on the Los Pelambres Incremental 
Expansion and Centinela Second Concentrator projects, particularly 
with respect to critical path items and the preparation of the required 
Environmental Impact Studies. The Committee will also evaluate 
progress on the Twin Metals project and will assess Minera Zaldívar’s 
projects, as it continues to learn more about the latest addition to the 
Group’s operations portfolio.

Ollie Oliveira
Chairman of the Projects Committee

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Accountability
Projects Committee

Remuneration
Annual Statement by the 
Chairman of the Remuneration 
and Talent Management Committee

Role and responsibilities of the Projects Committee

Antofagasta is committed to growing its copper mining business, 
in Chile and beyond, in a sustainable and responsible manner that 
ensures it retains its social licence to operate.

The Projects Committee assists the Board in reviewing all aspects 
of projects that require Board approval. It highlights key matters for 
Board consideration and makes recommendations to the Board. 
The Board has ultimate responsibility for decisions relating to projects.

Projects Committee membership
The members of the Committee and their attendance at meetings 
of the Committee during the year are shown in the table on page 
95. Biographical details of the members, including qualifications and 
experience, are set out on pages 74 to 76.

Asset Delivery System
The Committee provides guidance to the Board from the early stages 
of project planning and organisation on the application of policies, 
strategies and the Group’s standard implementation framework to 
all projects. The use of the Group’s ADS framework is an essential 
component of this.

ADS uses processes and practices commonly used in the mining 
industry for project management. It defines standards and common 
criteria, considers governance by a steering committee, and includes 
functional quality assurance reviews and risk management.

Projects in study/execution phase
The Committee is responsible for monitoring the Group’s projects 
portfolio at all stages of development and ensures their continued 
alignment with the Company’s strategic goals. The Committee 
reviews project proposals against flat-price sensitivities, execution 
milestones and key performance indicators, providing guidance when 
there is evidence of a deviation in costs or schedule from the plans 
approved by the Board.

In 2015, the Committee reviewed the Centinela Second Concentrator 
project’s pre-feasibility study results, quality assurance review, choice 
of technology, risks and mitigation actions, residual risk and 2016 
budget. The Committee recommended to the Board that the project 
advance to the feasibility study phase. The Committee analysed the 
planned 2016 cash expenditures in detail, to ensure that critical path 
items and the Environmental Impact Study are adequately resourced.

The Committee also evaluated the Los Pelambres Incremental 
Expansion project and confirmed that it should proceed in two 
stages, with the first stage ensuring the sustainability of operations 
through the construction of a desalination plant to supply current 
and future water needs.

Project commissioning
The Committee also advises the Board on project transition from 
development to operation and reviews project close-out reports, 
including plans to share lessons learned. In 2015, the Committee 
reviewed progress in the Antucoya Project’s commissioning, 
its milestones, successes, challenges and opportunities. 
Special emphasis was placed on overseeing the resolution of the 
dust issue in the crushing process, analysing dust measurements 
in the camp site and confirming that they are within limits set 
by the authorities.

96  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

As a Committee, our objectives for 2016 are 
the same as for the rest of the Group – to focus 
on the Group’s strategic objectives, operational 
performance and ability to deliver. 

Remuneration at a glance

The remuneration information is structured as follows:

Annual Statement by the Chairman of the  
Remuneration and Talent Management Committee

Summary of Directors’ Remuneration Policy

Annual Report on Remuneration 2015

Remuneration and Talent Management Committee 

Statement of shareholder voting 

Implementation of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy in 2015

Voluntary disclosures – executive remuneration

Comparison of overall performance and remuneration

Relative change in remuneration

Relative importance of remuneration spend

96

98

99

99

100

100

102

110

111

111

As part of the implementation of the Group’s talent management 
strategy in 2015, the Group launched a mentoring programme for 
82 high-potential employees, formalised individual development plans 
and launched a trainee programme aimed at filling the talent pipeline 
in the longer term. 62% of the participants in the 2015 trainee 
programme were female. The Group’s focus on talent management 
and succession planning was supported by the performance criteria 
that applied to the Group CEO’s Recruitment Awards that vested 
in 2015, as set out on page 107. 

Last year we reported that following the change in the role of the 
Chairman in 2014 and the Committee’s review of his remuneration, 
his total annual remuneration would be reduced by almost 70%. 
This year was the first full year that the Chairman performed in a 
non-executive role and the impact of this change on the Chairman’s 
pay arrangements can be seen in the single figure remuneration table 
on page 101. 

Fee levels for the Non-Executive Directors, which are reviewed 
annually, have remained unchanged since 2012. Following the 
creation of the Projects Committee during the year, the Committee 
determined that additional fees for the Projects Committee 
members should be the same as for the Remuneration and Talent 
Management Committee and the Sustainability and Stakeholder 
Management Committee. 

As a Committee, our objectives for 2016 are the same as for the 
rest of the Group – to focus on the Group’s strategic objectives, 
operational performance and ability to deliver. Specific areas where 
this will be applied in 2016 include the alignment of Zaldívar’s 
remuneration practices with those of the rest of the Group, and 
labour negotiations with four unions that represent employees and 
contractors in the Group’s transport division during the first quarter 
of 2016. 

As required under UK legislation, we expect to submit the Directors’ 
Remuneration Policy to the 2017 AGM and will review its principles 
and application during 2016.

Shareholders are invited to vote on the Remuneration Report and I 
hope that you will continue to support the Group’s pay arrangements. 

Tim Baker
Chairman of the Remuneration  
and Talent Management Committee

Dear Shareholder,

I am pleased to introduce Antofagasta plc’s Remuneration Report 
for the financial year to 31 December 2015.

We have not made any changes to the Directors’ Remuneration 
Policy approved by shareholders at the 2014 AGM and include 
a summary of the Remuneration Policy at the beginning of this 
Remuneration Report. 

Our focus in 2015 was to ensure that the pay structures and 
incentives for the Group’s executives, who are currently outside 
the scope of the Directors’ Remuneration Policy, encourage 
teamwork and collaboration and appropriately incentivise and 
stretch management to achieve the Group’s strategic objectives.

This Remuneration Report has been prepared in accordance 
with Schedule 8 of the Large and Medium-sized Companies and 
Groups (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 (as amended). 
It also describes how the Board has applied the principles of good 
governance as set out in the Corporate Governance Code. 

We feel it is important to embrace the broad governance 
requirements of the UK while at the same time recognising that 
our Group CEO and all of the members of the Executive Committee 
are based in Chile. Consequently, we have continued voluntarily 
to report information on the remuneration and incentive pay design 
for our Group CEO as if he was a member of the Board and have 
also continued to provide detailed information in relation to the 
structure and components of the other Executive Committee 
members’ remuneration. 

As reported by the Chairman in his introduction to this year’s 
Annual Report, 2015 has been a difficult year for the Group. As a 
consequence, the performance score for the purposes of calculating 
awards for the Group CEO and the Executive Committee under the 
2015 Annual Bonus Plan was 95% (within a range from 90–110%). 

The Committee reviewed and, with the support of the Board, 
fine-tuned the 2016 executive pay arrangements for the Group CEO 
and the Executive Committee to ensure that measurements fairly 
reflect performance and continue to be aligned with the Group’s 
strategic objectives and shareholders’ interests. Further information 
is set out on pages 108 and 109. 

Talent management and succession planning are essential to our 
ability to ensure that the Group remains dynamic and adaptable and 
that there is sufficient continuity of knowledge to enable the Group 
to pursue its strategic objectives. 2015 was the second full year 
following the implementation of the Group’s new talent management 
strategy and succession planning policy for key positions within the 
Group as identified by the Committee.

As part of this policy, the Committee oversaw processes during 
2015 to agree on the key positions and to identify the existing 
employees who are possible successors for these positions in the 
future. Under the agreed succession planning policy, whenever a 
key position becomes vacant, a replacement will first be sought from 
within the Group, taking into account the succession plan previously 
developed and agreed for that position.

During 2015, 68% of vacancies in key positions were filled by internal 
candidates, in accordance with the succession planning policy. 

Antofagasta plc  97

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Remuneration
Summary of Directors’ Remuneration Policy

The Directors’ Remuneration Policy was approved by shareholders 
at the AGM held on 21 May 2014 and took effect from that date. 
The summary policy table below is provided for reference, and covers 
elements of the policy that apply to all Directors. It does not formally 
form part of the Remuneration Report and has not been separated 
into elements relating to the role of Executive Chairman and Non-
Executive Director following Jean-Paul Luksic’s re-designation as 
Non-Executive Chairman in September 2014.

The full Remuneration Policy approved by shareholders at the 2014 
AGM can be found in the Remuneration and Talent Management 
section of the Company’s website at www.antofagasta.co.uk/
investors/corporate-governance/board-committees.

The Company’s policy is to ensure that Directors are fairly rewarded 
with regard to their responsibilities, and to consider comparable pay 
levels and structures in the UK, Chile, and in the international mining 
industry. Remuneration levels for Directors are reviewed annually in 
comparison with companies of a similar nature, size and complexity 
and take into account the specific responsibilities undertaken and 
structure of the Board.

Purpose

Operation

Maximum opportunity

Fees

To attract and retain high-
calibre, experienced Non-
Executive Directors by offering 
globally competitive fee levels.

Fees are reviewed annually and the competitiveness of total fees is 
assessed against companies of a similar nature, size and complexity. 

Non-Executive Directors receive a base fee for services to Antofagasta 
plc’s Board, as well as additional fees for chairing or serving as a member 
of any of the Board’s committees. 

Separate base fees are paid for services to the Antofagasta Minerals Board 
(all Non-Executive Directors are members of both boards), and for being 
directors of subsidiary companies and joint venture companies within 
the Group. 

Ramón Jara also receives a base fee for services provided to Antofagasta 
Minerals (pursuant to a separate service contract). 

Fee levels are denominated in US dollars. The Committee may determine 
fee levels and/or pay fees in any other currency if deemed necessary.

In normal circumstances, the maximum annual 
fee increase will be 7%. However, the Committee 
has discretion to exceed this in exceptional 
circumstances, for example: 

•   if there is a sustained period of high inflation; 

•   if fees are out of line with the market; and/or 

•   if fees for chairing or serving as a member of any 
of the Board’s committees are out of line with 
the market. 

Any increases will take into account the factors 
described under “operation” and will not 
be excessive. 

Fee levels for additional roles within the Antofagasta 
Group are based on the needs and time commitment 
expected and may be determined and/or paid in a 
combination of currencies, including US dollars and 
Chilean pesos. 

Fees will also be increased to take account of Chilean 
inflation and may be reported as an increase or 
decrease as a result of the exchange rate impact of 
Chilean peso-denominated fees, given all amounts 
in this report are reported in US dollars.

Variable 
remuneration

Given the non-executive composition of the Board, there are no arrangements for Directors to acquire benefits through the acquisition of shares in the Company 
or any of its subsidiary undertakings, to benefit through performance-related pay or to participate in long-term incentive schemes. 

The Corporate Governance Code states that remuneration for Non-Executive Directors should not include share options or other performance-related elements.

Benefits

To provide appropriate benefits 
required in the performance 
of duties of the Non-
Executive Directors. 

Benefits include the provision of life, accident and health insurance.

The Committee retains the discretion to provide additional insurance 
benefits in accordance with Company policy, should this be 
deemed necessary.

In normal circumstances, the maximum value of 
benefits will be $22,000. However, the Committee 
has discretion to exceed this should the underlying 
cost of providing the pre-existing benefits increase, 
or if additional benefits are provided and are 
deemed appropriate.

Pension

No Director receives pension contributions. The Corporate Governance Code considers that the participation by a Non-Executive Director in a company’s pension 
scheme could potentially affect the independence of that Non-Executive Director.

As Directors do not receive variable remuneration, there are no provisions in place to recover sums paid or withhold payments. 

No Executive Directors were appointed, or served, on the Board in 2015.

98  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Corporate Governance Report
Remuneration
Annual Report on Remuneration 2015

Membership and meeting attendance

Tim Baker (Chairman)
William Hayes
Ollie Oliveira

Number 
attended
6
6
6

Maximum 
possible
6
6
6

Key activities in 2015

•  Reviewed the structure of the Group’s Annual Bonus and long-
term incentive plans and recommended changes to the Board 
for approval.

•  Reviewed LTIP eligibility and participants.
•  Oversaw the continued implementation of the Group’s talent 

management and succession planning policies.

•  Reviewed compensation across the Group to ensure that it 

remains competitive, motivating and appropriately aligned with 
the Group’s performance and strategy.

•  Reviewed fees for members of the Projects Committee and 

recommended them to the Board for approval. 

•  Reviewed the Company’s 2014 Remuneration Report prior 
to its approval by the Board and subsequent approval by 
shareholders at the 2015 AGM.

•  Reviewed Group performance and approved the vesting 

of awards in connection with LTIP awards granted in 2012. 

•  Reviewed the 2016 Annual Bonus Plan and Group 
performance against the 2015 Annual Bonus Plan. 

•  Reviewed and approved the performance of the members of 
the Executive Committee under the 2014 Annual Bonus Plan.
•  Reviewed the performance of the Group CEO for the purpose 
of determining variable compensation under the 2014 Annual 
Bonus Plan and Recruitment Award.

•  Reviewed the performance-related elements of the 
Group CEO’s compensation and approved the grant 
of Strategic Awards.

•  Reviewed Chairman, Director and Committee fees.

Remuneration and Talent  
Management Committee

Role and responsibilities of the Committee

The Remuneration and Talent Management Committee is 
responsible for ensuring that remuneration arrangements support 
the Group’s strategic objectives and enable the recruitment, 
motivation, retention and development of talent within the 
expectations of shareholders.

The Committee is responsible for preparing the Company’s 
Remuneration Policy and assessing its relevance and for reviewing 
the remuneration of any Executive Directors (although there 
are currently none). The Committee also reviews and approves 
the remuneration of both the Chairman and the Group CEO, 
determining the performance-related elements of the Group 
CEO’s compensation. 

Remuneration for members of the Executive Committee, including 
awards granted under the LTIP and Annual Bonus Plan, and 
performance targets for each plan, are reviewed by the Group 
CEO and recommended to the Committee for approval. 

Group performance is a significant component of the Annual Bonus 
Plan and the Committee reviews targets for the Group and each of 
its operations at the beginning of each year and recommends them 
to the Board for approval. 

The Committee is also responsible for: monitoring the level and 
structure of remuneration of the Executive Committee; reviewing 
and approving performance-related compensation; reviewing 
succession plans for the Executive Committee; reviewing any 
major changes in compensation policies applied across the Group’s 
companies that have a significant long-term impact on labour costs; 
and reviewing compensation and talent management strategies. 

The Committee works with remuneration consultants to review 
Non-Executive Directors’ remuneration against relevant markets 
and makes recommendations to the Board based on those results. 
The remuneration of Non-Executive Directors is determined by the 
Board as a whole and no Director participates in the determination 
of his or her own remuneration.

Remuneration and Talent Management 
Committee membership

The members of the Committee and their attendance at meetings 
of the Committee during the year are shown in the table above. 
Biographical details of the members of the Committee, including 
relevant qualifications and experience, are set out on pages 74 to 76. 
All of the Committee members are considered by the Board to be 
independent Non-Executive Directors.

Advisors to the Committee

During the year, the Committee re-appointed remuneration 
consultants Towers Watson to continue to provide advice on matters 
under its consideration. This included compensation benchmarking 
and updates on legislative requirements and market practice. 

Towers Watson is a widely recognised independent global 
professional services firm that is signatory to, and adheres to, 
the Code of Conduct for Remuneration Committee Consultants, 
which can be found at www.remunerationconsultantsgroup.com. 

The Committee is satisfied that the advice provided by Towers 
Watson in 2015 was objective and independent, that no conflict of 
interest arose as a result of these services and that Towers Watson 
has no other connection with the Company. 

Antofagasta plc  99

GOVERNANCEGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWCorporate Governance Report
Remuneration
Annual Report on Remuneration 2015

Towers Watson’s fees for this work were charged in accordance 
with normal billing practices and amounted to £60,140.

The Company’s legal advisors, Clifford Chance LLP, were also 
re-appointed by the Committee to continue to provide advice on the 
operation of the Group’s LTIP and other legal issues during 2015. 

The Committee Chairman has regular dialogue with advisers without 
management present. For that reason and the reasons above, the 
Committee considers that the advice that it receives is independent. 

The Committee also received assistance from the Chairman, the 
Group CEO, the Vice President of Human Resources and the 
Company Secretary during 2015, none of whom participate in 
discussions relating to setting their own remuneration. 

Statement of shareholder voting

The table below displays the voting results on the Remuneration 
Policy at the 2014 AGM and the Company’s 2014 Remuneration 
Report at the 2015 AGM:

Resolution to approve the Remuneration Policy 
Votes for

Votes against

Votes cast as a percentage of Issued Share Capital
Votes withheld

Resolution to approve the Company’s 2014  
Remuneration Report 
Votes for

Votes against

Votes cast as a percentage of Issued Share Capital
Votes withheld

965,357,216
91.8%
86,053,542
8.2%
88.7%
1,350,645

1,049,760,797
99.1%
9,754,030
0.9%
89.4%
105,477

The considerable vote in favour of the Remuneration Policy and the 
Company’s 2014 Remuneration Report confirms the strong support 
the Group has received from shareholders regarding the remuneration 
arrangements and the performance of the Group over the past year. 

Implementation of the Directors’  
Remuneration Policy in 2015 

Chairman

Mr Jean-Paul Luksic was appointed Executive Chairman in 2004 and 
was redesignated as Non-Executive Chairman on 1 September 2014. 
As a consequence of this, the contracts for services that Mr Luksic 
had with the Antofagasta Railway Company plc and Antofagasta 
Minerals were terminated with effect from that date and the fee 
payable for the role of Chairman of the Board was reduced.

From 6 October 2015, Mr Luksic resigned as a director of the Group’s 
transport division subsidiary and therefore, from that date, the only 
fees payable to Mr Luksic are for his services as Chairman of the 
Board, Chairman of the Nomination and Governance Committee 
and Chairman of the Antofagasta Minerals board. 

Non-Executive Directors

There has been no change to the level of Antofagasta plc Board 
fees since 2012. The base Non-Executive Director’s annual fee in 
respect of the Board remained at $130,000. Given the core role 
which Antofagasta Minerals plays in the management of the mining 
operations and projects, and that Antofagasta Minerals represents 
the large majority of the Group’s business, all Antofagasta plc 
Directors also served as Directors of the Antofagasta Minerals board. 
The annual fee payable to Directors of Antofagasta Minerals remained 
at $130,000 for members of the Board. Therefore, the combined 
base fees payable to Non-Executive Directors of both Antofagasta plc 
and Antofagasta Minerals amounted to $260,000 per annum.

The Board remains satisfied that the current fee levels and structure 
are aligned with the Group’s international peers and the Board is not 
recommending any change this year, but will continue to review fee 
levels from time to time, in accordance with the Remuneration Policy.

In addition to Board fees, Directors also receive fees for their 
contributions to Board committees during the year. In 2015, with the 
assistance of Towers Watson, the Committee reviewed committee fee 
levels and it was decided that fees for the existing committees should 
remain unchanged, as they have since 2012. Following the creation 
of the Projects Committee in 2015, the Committee determined that 
additional fees for the Projects Committee Chairman and members 
should be the same as for the Remuneration and Talent Management 
Committee and the Sustainability and Stakeholder Management 
Committee. The table below summarises Antofagasta plc Board 
Committee fees payable in 2015.

Role
Audit and Risk Committee Chairman
Audit and Risk Committee member
Nomination and Governance Committee Chairman
Nomination and Governance Committee member
Projects Committee Chairman
Projects Committee member
Remuneration and Talent Management Committee Chairman
Remuneration and Talent Management Committee member
Sustainability and Stakeholder Management  
Committee Chairman
Sustainability and Stakeholder Management  
Committee member

Additional 
fees ($000)
20
10
10
4
16
10
16
10

16

10

The Remuneration Policy does not allow for the payment of variable 
remuneration to the Chairman or Non-Executive Directors.

Implementation of Remuneration Policy in 2015 and 2016

The Committee does not anticipate any changes to the 
implementation of the Remuneration Policy during 2016.

Audited single figure remuneration table

The remuneration of the Directors and of Mr Diego Hernández, 
the Group CEO, for the year is set out below in US dollars. 
Unless otherwise noted, amounts paid in Chilean pesos have been 
translated at exchange rates at the time of payment.

Any additional fees payable for membership of subsidiary and joint 
venture company boards are included within the amounts attributable 
to the Directors within the table of Directors’ remuneration below.

As explained in the Remuneration Policy, Directors do not receive 
pensions or performance-related pay and are not eligible to participate 
in the LTIP.

100  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

 
 
 
 
Salary/Fees

Benefits5

Annual Bonus

LTIP6

Recruitment  
Award9

Total

2015 
$000

2014 
$000

2015 
$000

2014 
$000

2015 
$000

2014 
$000

20157
 $000

20148
 $000

2015 
$000

2014 
$000

2015 
$000

2014 
$000

Chairman
Jean-Paul Luksic1 
(non-executive since 
1 September 2014)
Non-Executive 
Directors
William Hayes
Gonzalo Menéndez
Ramón Jara2
Juan Claro
Hugo Dryland
Tim Baker
Ollie Oliveira3
Nelson Pizarro 
(resigned 
1 September 2014)
Andrónico Luksic 
Vivianne Blanlot 
(appointed 
27 March 2014)
Jorge Bande 
(appointed 
17 December 2014)
Total Board
Group CEO  
(not on the Board)
Diego Hernández4 
(appointed 
Group CEO 
1 September 2014)
Grand total

1,098

2,590

18

20

342
313
876
270
260
294
288

–
260

356
340
960
279
260
294
273

173
260

270

200

275
4,545

10
5,995

847
5,392

303
6,298

–
–
3
–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–
21

11
32

–
–
3
–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–
23

5
28

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–
–

321
321

220
220

621
621

158
158

734
734

–

–
–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–

–

–
–

–
–

1,115

2,610

342
313
879
270
260
294
288

0
260

356
340
963
279
260
294
273

173
260

270

200

275
4,566

10
6,018

2,534
7,100

688
6,706

1  On 1 September 2014, Jean-Paul Luksic became Non-Executive Chairman of Antofagasta plc. From this date, his service agreements with Antofagasta Minerals S.A. and Antofagasta Railway 

Company plc terminated and his annual fee as Chairman of the Antofagasta plc Board was reduced from $1,000,000 to $730,000. He continues to receive an annual fee of $260,000 as Chairman 
of Antofagasta Minerals S.A., an annual fee of $10,000 as Chairman of the Nomination and Governance Committee and received directors’ fees as a director of Ferrocarril de Antofagasta a 
Bolivia, the Chilean branch of Antofagasta Railway Company plc until 6 October 2015 and Aguas de Antofagasta S.A. until 3 June 2015, when the sale of the Group’s water division completed. 
The benefits expense represents the provision of life, accident and health insurance.

2  During 2015, remuneration of $524,000 (2014 – $573,000) for the provision of services by Ramón Jara was paid to Asesorías Ramón F Jara Ltda. This amount is included in the amounts 

attributable to Ramón Jara of $876,000 (2014 – $960,000). The benefits expense represents the provision of accident insurance to Ramón Jara.

3  Fees payable in respect of Ollie Oliveira’s service as a Director are paid to Greengrove Capital LLP, a partnership in which Ollie Oliveira is a partner.

4  Diego Hernández was appointed Group CEO on 1 September 2014 and amounts disclosed for 2014 relate to remuneration paid to him from that date, including base salary and benefits and 

the pro rata value of his annual bonus and LTIP Restricted Share Awards. No pension is payable to Diego Hernández.

5  All Directors are covered by the Directors’ and Officers’, Life and Travel insurance policies generally maintained by the Group. Diego Hernández is covered by Life and Health insurance policies 

generally maintained by the Group.

6  As explained on page 104, awards granted pursuant to the LTIP are split between Restricted Share Awards and Performance Share Awards. Because Restricted Share Awards do not have 

a performance element, they are reported in the year that they vest.

7  The 2015 amounts payable to Diego Hernández under the LTIP relate to Restricted Share Awards and Performance Share Awards granted in 2013 and to Restricted Share Awards granted in 2012 
and 2014. The performance period for Performance Share Awards granted in 2013 concluded on 31 December 2015 and these awards will vest on 12 April 2016. Because the Performance Share 
Awards granted in 2013 have not yet vested, the amounts attributable to these awards have been estimated using the average closing share price for the last quarter of 2015 of 505.1p and the 
average exchange rate for the year of $1.528/£1.

8  The 2014 amounts payable to Diego Hernández under the LTIP relate to Restricted Share Awards and Performance Share Awards granted in 2012 and to Restricted Share Awards granted in 2013. 
The amounts attributable to the Restricted Share Awards are the pro rata value of amounts paid following vesting in 2014 following his appointment as Group CEO. The performance period for 
Performance Share Awards granted in 2012 concluded on 31 December 2014 and vested on 25 March 2015. This figure is the final amount paid for the entire performance period. In the 2014 
Annual Report an estimate was used because the 2012 Performance Share Awards had not yet vested.

9  Diego Hernández was granted an exceptional, long-term Recruitment Award on 22 November 2012. The Recruitment Award was in the form of conditional rights to receive a cash payment by 

reference to the market value of 83,496 ordinary shares in the Company at vesting. The Recruitment Award was not granted over actual shares. Half of the Recruitment Award was subject both 
to performance conditions, which were measured over a three-year period ending on 1 August 2015 (the three-year anniversary of the effective date of Diego Hernández’s appointment), and 
to continued employment and the other half of the Recruitment Award was subject to continued employment. 100% of the Recruitment Award vested on 1 August 2015. The calculation of the 
award was made using the share price as at 1 August 2015 of 577.5p and an exchange rate of $1.577/£1. Details of the performance conditions attaching to the Recruitment Award and Diego 
Hernández’s performance are explained in more detail on page 107.

Antofagasta plc  101

GOVERNANCEGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEW 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Governance Report
Remuneration
Annual Report on Remuneration 2015

Directors’ interests (Audited)

Remuneration principles

The Directors who held office at 31 December 2015 had the following 
interests in the ordinary shares of the Company:

Jean-Paul Luksic1
Ramón Jara2

Ordinary shares of 5p each

31 December 

2015 1 January 2015
41,963,110
5,260

41,963,110
5,260

1  Jean-Paul Luksic’s interest relates to shares held by Aureberg Establishment, an entity that he 

ultimately controls.

2  Ramón Jara’s interest relates to shares held by a close family member.

There have been no changes to the Directors’ interests in the shares 
of the Company between 31 December 2015 and the date of 
this report.

The Directors had no interests in the shares of the Company 
during the year other than the interests set out in the table above. 
No Director had any material interest in any contract (other than a 
service contract) with the Company or its subsidiary undertakings 
during the year other than in the ordinary course of business.

The Group does not currently have shareholding guidelines or 
requirements for Directors – all of whom are non-executive. 
Executives, all of whom are below Board level, participate in the 
Group’s LTIP which entitles them to “phantom” share awards. 
Awards that have been granted to Diego Hernández under the LTIP 
with one or more outstanding components are set out on page 106. 
Further details on the LTIP are set out on page 104.

During the period, no Director was eligible for any short-term or 
long-term incentive awards and no Director owns any shares that 
have resulted from the achievement of performance conditions.

Letters of appointment

Each Director has a letter of appointment with the Company. 
The Company has a policy of putting all Directors forward for 
re-election at each Annual General Meeting, in accordance with 
the UK Corporate Governance Code. Under the terms of the letters, 
if a majority of shareholders do not confirm a Director’s appointment, 
the appointment will terminate with immediate effect. In other 
circumstances, the appointment may be terminated by either 
party on one month’s prior written notice.

There is a contract between Antofagasta Minerals S.A. and Asesorías 
Ramón F Jara Ltda (formerly E.I.R.L.) dated 2 November 2004 for 
the provision of advisory services by Ramón Jara. This contract does 
not have an expiry date but may be terminated by either party on one 
month’s notice. No other Director is party to a service contract with 
the Group.

Voluntary disclosures – executive remuneration 

Diego Hernández is responsible for leading the senior management 
team and for the executive management of the Group. The Executive 
Committee, led by the Antofagasta Minerals CEO, Iván Arriagada, 
is responsible for leading the day-to-day operation of the mining 
business. No member of the Executive Committee, nor the 
Group CEO, sits on the Board of Antofagasta plc. Consequently, 
the disclosures below relating to the variable pay mechanisms, 
Annual Bonus and LTIP, as well as information on the Group CEO’s 
remuneration arrangements above, are voluntary disclosures to 
provide shareholders with further information on the Group’s pay 
structure for senior executives.

102  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

The remuneration arrangements in place for Diego Hernández and 
the Executive Committee are structured to align remuneration with 
performance, the Group’s strategic objectives and shareholders’ 
interests. Diego Hernández and each Executive Committee member 
is eligible to receive a combination of base salary and other benefits, 
as well as variable remuneration in the form of an annual cash bonus 
and conditional cash awards based on the price of the ordinary shares 
of the Company granted pursuant to the Group’s LTIP.

The performance components of variable remuneration are selected 
to incentivise the delivery of the business strategy, to reward Group 
and individual performance and to motivate Diego Hernández and the 
Executive Committee.

As noted in the single figure table on page 101, except for the amount 
attributable to 2012 LTIP Performance Share Awards which relate to 
the entire performance period from 2012 until 31 December 2014, 
disclosures in relation to Diego Hernández’s 2014 remuneration relate 
only to the four-month period following his appointment as Group 
CEO and lead executive in the Group. 2015 disclosures are for the 
whole year. The table on page 110 shows the total remuneration 
for the Group’s lead executive over the last seven years. The total 
remuneration for Diego Hernandez in 2015 was 12% lower than 
the total remuneration for the lead executive position in 2014.

Salary and benefits 

The total remuneration paid to Diego Hernández for 2015 was 
$2,534,000. Fixed remuneration comprises base salary and 
benefits, and in 2015 represented less than 35% of his total 
remuneration package.

Benefits payable to Diego Hernández reflect amounts paid to 
maintain Life and Health insurance policies. 

According to Chilean law, all employees are required to pay their 
own pension and compulsory healthcare contributions. No additional 
contributions are made by the Group, including in relation to 
Diego Hernández. 

Diego Hernández’s total remuneration package is determined by 
the Remuneration and Talent Management Committee, taking into 
account the performance of the Group and his personal performance. 
The Company also benchmarks each element of his remuneration 
and his total remuneration package by reference to FTSE 100, 
FTSE mining and comparable international mining companies.

Employment contract

Diego Hernández is employed under a contract of employment 
with Antofagasta Minerals S.A., a subsidiary of Antofagasta plc. 
His contract is governed by Chilean Labour Law. It does not have a 
fixed term and can be terminated by either party on 30 days’ notice 
in writing. Except in the case of termination for breach of contract 
or misconduct under the Chilean Labour Code, Diego Hernández is 
entitled to receive one month’s base salary for each year of service 
on termination, otherwise no other compensations or benefits are 
payable on termination of his employment. The salary payable to 
Diego Hernández under his employment contract as of 1 September 
2014 was Ch$44,871,653 ($75,669) per month and his salary is 
adjusted for inflation in Chile every three months. 

His total salary payments for 2015 were Ch$556,654,801 ($847,103) 
and other than adjustments for inflation, there were no other 
adjustments to his salary in 2015. Under his employment agreement, 
Diego Hernández is entitled to 22 working days’ paid holiday per year. 
Diego Hernández is entitled to Life and Health insurance. Because the 
Group CEO’s salary is paid in Chilean pesos, it is subject to annual 
exchange rate movements when reported in US dollars.

Annual bonus 

Employees are eligible to receive cash awards under the Annual Bonus Plan based on Group and individual performance. The bonus plan 
focuses on the delivery of annual financial and non-financial targets designed to align remuneration with the Group’s strategy and create 
a platform for sustainable future performance. In 2015, the bonus payable to the Group CEO was attributable 70% to the performance 
of the Group and 30% to personal performance, according to metrics that were fixed at the beginning of the year. 

• The bonus payable to the Group CEO for achieving the Group and personal performance targets in 2015 was 50% of annual base salary 

(six months’ base salary). 

• The maximum bonus payable to the Group CEO for achieving stretch performance targets in 2015 was 100% of annual base salary 

(12 months’ base salary). 

In 2015, the bonus payable to the CEO of Antofagasta Minerals was attributable 70% performance of the Group and 30% to personal 
performance, according to metrics that were fixed when he joined the Group in 2015. The bonus payable to each Vice President was 
attributable 50% to the performance of the Group and 50% to the performance of that Vice President, according to metrics that were 
fixed at the beginning of the year. 

The Group performance criteria for the Annual Bonus Plan and the individual performance criteria for the Group CEO are set annually by 
the Committee. The individual performance criteria for the Executive Committee are set by the Group CEO and reviewed by the Committee. 
The average maximum available award for the Executive Committee members under the terms of the Annual Bonus Plan, which would 
reflect maximum individual and Group performance, is 67% of base salary. In 2015, the average award for the Executive Committee 
members was approximately 32% of base salary. Individual award levels are calibrated at the conclusion of each annual performance 
period to ensure that performance targets remain stretching and that high or maximum payments under each plan are received only 
for exceptional performance.

In 2015, Group performance under the Annual Bonus Plan was as follows:

Weighting  Objective

Measure

2015 
Minimum

2015  
Target

2015 
Maximum

2015 
Outcome

2015  
Result1 %

58%
16%
15%

24%

3%
21%
13% 
3%
5%
21%
10%
2%
2%
5%
2%
Total

$m

kt
koz
kt

$/lb
$m

Mt CuF  

Core Business
EBITDA2
Production3
Copper Production (13.6%)
Gold Production (0.9%)
Molybdenum Production (0.5%)
Costs
Cash Costs Before By-product Credits (22%)
Corporate Expenditure (2%)
Operating Companies’ Capex
Business Development
Growth Projects’ Execution4
Exploration and Development – Resources increase
Business Development Growth – M&A
Sustainability and Organisational Capabilities
Safety – KPIs, Reporting and Safety Model
People – Talent Management
Environmental Performance
Social Programmes
Transformational Initiatives – Nexo Project

1,059

1,176

1,294

668
235
7.5

1.86
152

710
250
8.0

1.75
145

732
258
8.2

1.70
137

Measured according to schedule and budget

Measured according to schedule/budget/quality

7.2
Measured according to KPIs and milestones

6.8

6.5

Measured according to KPIs and milestones

832

626
214
10.1

1.81
136

7.9

90

90
90
110

94.5
110
104.2

98.6
110
110

96.3
108.4
102.7
108.6
107.6
97.1

1 Performance range is 90-110% where 90% = threshold, 100% = meets expectations/target, and 110% = outstanding performance/stretch.

2 Mining division only.

3 Excludes Zaldívar.

4 Split between the Antucoya Project (6%), Encuentro Oxides (4%), Los Pelambres Incremental Expansion (1%), Centinela Second Concentrator (1%) and Centinela Molybdenum Plant (1%).

The choice of these criteria, and their respective weightings, reflect the Committee’s belief that any incentive compensation should be 
tied both to the overall performance of the Group and to those areas of the business that the relevant individual can directly influence. 
The Committee reviewed the results for 2015 in November 2015 and January 2016 and decided to recommend that the Board use its 
discretion to lower the 2015 Group performance outcome as it applies to Diego Hernández and the Executive Committee from 97.1% to 95% 
to reflect that 2015 was a challenging year for the Group – in particular with production substantially missing budget and a fatality at Michilla. 

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Corporate Governance Report
Remuneration
Annual Report on Remuneration 2015

The Committee, with input from the Board, assessed Diego Hernández’s performance against his individual objectives as 104% for his 
individual contribution to the business during the year.

Diego Hernández’s performance against his individual objectives is summarised below:

Category 
Results

Performance
• Effective implementation of, and performance against, the Group’s safety and health model – with the exception 

of an unacceptable fatality at Michilla.

• Copper production below target.

• Unit costs higher than target due to lower than forecast production.

• Successful handling of the closure of mining operations at Michilla.

• Antucoya commenced production once construction issues were resolved.

• On budget progress at the Encuentro Oxides project.

• Centinela Molybdenum Plant project approved for construction.

• Strong progress on developing in-house construction management expertise for the Encuentro Oxides 

and Centinela Molybdenum Plant projects.

Leadership

• Strong leadership demonstrated across the Group with good progress on safety, succession planning 

and talent management.

• Strong mentorship of the Executive Committee.

• Further progress on rolling out and strengthening the Group’s leadership values and behaviours model.

Strategic development

• Further progress developing synergies between the Group’s operations.
• Completed the sale of the water division.

Capital and 
cost reductions 

• Acquisition of 50% of Zaldívar, with operatorship.
• Significant and successful headcount reductions across all areas were carried out during the year.

• Cost reductions of $245 million during the year.

• Capital expenditure reduced by $598 million to $1,049 million (stated on a cash flow basis).

• Maintained a strong balance sheet with net debt of $1,024 million and low gearing.

Based on performance achieved against targets during the 2015 financial year, the Committee determined, based on the performance metrics, 
that Diego Hernández would receive a bonus payment of $321,000 for 2015.

Because the annual bonus is paid in Chilean pesos, it is subject to annual exchange rate movements when reported in US dollars.

Long-Term Incentive Plan

The Company introduced the LTIP at the end of 2011. Eligibility to participate in the LTIP is determined by the Committee each year on 
an individual basis and all members of the Executive Committee currently participate. The first awards under the LTIP were granted on 
29 December 2011 and awards have since been granted annually. Under the rules of the LTIP, Directors are not eligible to participate.

Under the LTIP, participants are eligible to receive “phantom” share awards (conditional rights to receive cash payment by reference to 
a specified number of the Company’s ordinary shares), which are paid in cash upon vesting and are made to participants based on the 
price of the Company’s ordinary shares at the time of vesting.

Awards granted pursuant to the LTIP are split between Restricted Share Awards (“RSAs”) and Performance Share Awards (“PSAs”). 
The RSAs are conditional rights to receive cash payment by reference to a specified number of the Company’s ordinary shares subject to 
the relevant employee remaining employed by the Group when the RSAs vest. The PSAs are conditional rights to receive cash payment by 
reference to a specified number of the Company’s ordinary shares subject to both the satisfaction of performance conditions and the relevant 
employee remaining employed by the Group when the PSAs vest.

• PSAs reward performance over three years.

• RSAs vest one-third in each year over a three-year period following grant of the award.

The same performance criteria apply to all participants in the LTIP, which is designed to link business objectives, shareholder value and senior 
management rewards. The number of PSAs and RSAs awarded to each member of the Executive Committee is calculated as a percentage 
of salary up to a limit of 200% of base salary or 325% of base salary if the Committee determines that exceptional circumstances apply. 
The market value of shares in relation to which the award is to be granted is equal to the closing price on the dealing day before the grant 
or if the Committee so determines, the average of the closing price during a period determined by the Committee not exceeding five dealing 
days ending with the last dealing day before the grant. 

In 2015, Diego Hernández received total payments of $481,000 in respect of the RSAs granted in 2012, 2013 and 2014. Using the average 
closing share price for the last quarter of 2015 of 505.1p and the average exchange rate for the year of $1.528/£1, Diego Hernández’s estimated 
payment for PSA awards granted under the 2013 programme and vesting on the conclusion of performance in 2015 is $140,000. Using these 
calculations, LTIP awards amounted to 73% of his base salary. 

104  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

The performance criteria attaching to the PSAs granted in 2013 and anticipated performance based on estimates as at March 2016 is as follows:

Weighting  Objective
25%

Relative Total 
Shareholder 
Return2 
EBITDA3

Mineral 
Resources 
Increase

Mineral 
Reserves 
Increase

Minimum 
0% vesting at performance 
below the index during the 
three-year period
0% vesting at 80%  
of maximum or below
0% vesting at 66.481 MtCuF or 
below as at 31 December 2015, 
taking into account  
1.050 MtCuF expected 
consumption over the 
performance period
0% vesting at 11.817 MtCuF. 
This figure corresponds to 
2012 reserves, less estimated 
consumption by the operating 
companies over the  
performance period

Measure

Target 
33% vesting at performance 
equal to the index during the 
three-year period
75% vesting at 90% 
of maximum
50% vesting at 67.531 MtCuF, 
the expected level of  
contained resources  
as at 31 December 2015

33% vesting at 14.063 MtCuF.  
This figure assumes that 
only Antucoya has been 
incorporated as reserves

Maximum 
100% vesting at performance equal 
to or greater than the index plus 
5% during the three-year period
100% vesting at $8,150 million

100% vesting at 68.581 MtCuF 
contained resources as at 
31 December 2015, including an 
additional 1.050 MtCuF increase 
in contained resources in Chile

100% vesting at 14.714 MtCuF. 
This figure corresponds to the level 
of contained copper reserves for 
the Group at the end of 2015 and 
assumes that the resources of 
Antucoya and Encuentro Oxides 
have been incorporated as reserves

Anticipated
performance1

100%

0%

100%

100%

Minimum (0%)
1. Encuentro Oxides 
and Centinela Second 
Concentrator (7%) 

Projects, 
Development 
and 
Sustainability

Target (50%)

Maximum (100%)

At least one of the  
four goals achieved

At least two of the  
four goals achieved

Four time-based goals for 
progressing Encuentro Oxides’ 
commissioning and the 
commencement of construction on 
completion of feasibility studies for 
various elements of the Centinela 
Second Concentrator Project

2. Antucoya (7%) 
Full production at  
February 2016
3. Los Pelambres  
energy cost (4%) 
$130/MWh
4. Safety (7%)
Over the three-year period, 
zero fatalities and LTIFR  
less than an average of 1.3
5. Los Pelambres expansion 
project (6%)
Pre-feasibility study  
completed by  
31 December 2015
6. Twin Metals project (4%)
Pre-feasibility study  
completed by  
31 December 2014

Full production at  
January 2016 

Full production at  
December 2015

$120/MWh

$110/MWh

Over the three-year period, 
zero fatalities and LTIFR less 
than an average of 1.1

Over the three-year period, zero 
fatalities and LTIFR less than an 
average of 1.0

Feasibility study completed  
by 31 December 2015 and  
EIA submitted

EIA approved and project approved 
by 31 December 2015

Pre-feasibility study and basic 
information for the mine plan 
of operation completed by 
31 December 2014

Pre-feasibility study with definitive 
mine plan of operation completed 
and environmental review process 
ongoing by 31 December 2015 

0%

0%

25%

0%

0%

0%

41%

25%

5%

10%

35%

Total

1  Anticipated performance is based on estimates in March 2016. These awards will not vest until after the Group’s 2015 results have been released to the market.

2  Total shareholder return is calculated to show a theoretical change in the value of a shareholding over a specified period, assuming that dividends are reinvested to purchase additional shares at 
the closing price applicable on the ex-dividend date. Total shareholder return for the Euromoney Global Mining Index is calculated by aggregating the returns of all individual constituents of that 
index and, for the purposes of comparison with Antofagasta plc share performance, is calculated by taking an average of the index over three months before the beginning and the end of the 
period respectively. 

3  Targets are calculated based on the Group’s accumulated EBITDA over the period from 2013-2015, versus the 2013 budget figure and the 2013, Group’s internal base case figures for 2014 and 

2015. The final calculation will not be adjusted for commodity price or exchange rate fluctuations.

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Annual Report on Remuneration 2015

The following LTIP awards with one or more outstanding components have been granted to Diego Hernández:

Year of  
grant
2013

2014

Award type
Performance 
Share Awards
Restricted 
Share Awards

Performance 
Share Awards
Restricted 
Share Awards

Number of 
shares over 
which the 
grant relates
45,242

Date of award 
12 April 2013

Vesting dates
12 April 2016

Face value of 
award (using 
market price at 
grant)  
£’000
700

Market  
price at 
grant 
£
10.13

End of  
performance  
period
31 December 2015

% of award 
receivable if 
minimum 
performance 
achieved
0%

45,242

12 April 2013

53,896

19 March 2014

53,896

19 March 2014

12 April 2014 
12 April 2015 
12 April 2016 
19 March 2017

19 March 2015 
19 March 2016 
19 March 2017

700

10.13

N/A

750

750

7.85

31 December 2016

7.85

N/A

0%

0%

0%

Note: Diego Hernández joined the Group on 1 August 2012 and was granted awards under the 2012 LTIP on 22 November 2012. The portion of RSAs that vested on 9 January 2013 was reduced pro 
rata to take into account the period before he joined the Group. The payment that he received in relation to the PSAs that vested in 2015 was also reduced pro rata to the time that he has been with 
the Group during the 2012 programme.

2015 Strategic Awards

Following his appointment as Group CEO, Diego Hernández received Strategic Awards in 2015 in lieu of awards that he may otherwise have 
received pursuant to the LTIP and to align his performance goals with the Group’s strategy, taking into account his transition into this new role 
and the associated responsibilities.

The 2015 Strategic Awards are cash awards and are not linked to the share price. The maximum performance by Diego Hernández would 
amount to a payment of $1,530,000 in 2016 and there is no guaranteed minimum payment under the terms of the 2015 Strategic Award.

Type of award
Cash Awards
Cash Awards

Grant date
21 May 2015
21 May 2015

Face value  
of award  
(% of base salary)
27%
153%

Face value  
of award 
(‘000)1
$230
$1,300

% vesting  
at threshold 
performance
100%
62%

End of performance period 
over which the performance
conditions have been fulfilled2
30 April 2016
1 August 2016

1 The face value represents the maximum value of the award. The expected value of the award vesting on 1 August 2016 is 62% of the face value or $800,000.

2  Vesting of the 2015 Strategic Awards is subject to Diego Hernández remaining in employment with the Group and to performance criteria based on the Group’s growth strategy and leading and 

effectively managing the Group’s leadership team. These individual targets are considered by the Board to be commercially sensitive; however the specific targets and performance against them 
will be described retrospectively in the 2016 Annual Report.

106  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

 
 
Recruitment Award

As explained on page 101, as part of the remuneration arrangements agreed on his appointment, Diego Hernández was granted an 
exceptional, long-term Recruitment Award when he joined the Group. 

Over and above the Annual Bonus Plan and the LTIP, which are both heavily weighted towards Group performance, Diego Hernández was 
tasked by the Board to build an organisation that could sustain itself in the long term in a very competitive labour market by building a depth 
of talent, ensuring that succession plans were in place for all key positions in the Group and to develop a successor for the role of CEO of 
Antofagasta Minerals. Over the three-year performance period, considerable work has been done and the Committee assessed that the 
targets were fully met. The specific performance criteria and weightings attaching to the Recruitment Award were as follows.

Weighting
12.8%

61.6%

12.8%
12.8%

Measure
Increased leadership effectiveness of the Executive Committee evidenced by 360-degree feedback and measured against external 
benchmarking performed in 2012, and in fully closing any gaps agreed with the Remuneration and Talent Management Committee.
Implementation of a succession plan for each member of the Executive Committee and for the General Managers of each of the 
Group’s operations evidenced by the successful identification of at least one successor for each position that is deemed ready to 
assume the role at the vesting date.
Improvement of the organisational climate in the mining division, specifically regarding quality of life, recognition and development.
Implementation of a development programme for “high-potential” employees.

Indicative total remuneration in 2016 

The Group CEO’s total remuneration in 2016 will consist of the same elements as in 2015, including:

• Annual base salary of Ch$570,362,748 ($806,737) as at 1 January 2016, subject to adjustments for Chilean inflation, as described above; 

• An annual bonus equivalent to 50% of base salary if target performance is achieved, with a maximum of 100% if stretch targets are met; 

• The vesting of LTIP awards granted before 1 September 2014, which using the average closing share price for the last quarter of 2015 are 

equivalent to a maximum of 49% of base salary; and

• The vesting of 2015 Strategic Awards, which are equivalent to a maximum of 190% of base salary.

A significant proportion of the rewards available to Diego Hernández is dependent on the performance of the Group. 

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Annual Report on Remuneration 2015

2016 Annual Bonus Plan

The Board has agreed Group performance criteria for the 2016 Annual Bonus Plan as follows. 

Weighting  Objective
70%
10%

Core Business
EBITDA

Measure

Minimum Target

Maximum

$m

≤-10% The Group’s future metals price assumptions are 

≥+10%

commercially sensitive and therefore the target for 
EBITDA will not be disclosed in advance. However, 
the Company plans to disclose the 2016 target and 
outcome in the 2016 Annual Report.

25%

Copper Production

tonnes

≤-6% 710-740,000

30%

5%
5%

25%
5%
5%
5%
10%

Costs
Cash costs before by-product 
credits (24%)
Corporate Expenditure (6%)

Sustaining Capital Expenditure
Business Development –  
Growth Projects Execution

Sustainability and Organisation Capabilities
Safety 
People 
Environmental 
Social 

$/lb

$m

≥+6% 1.65 

≥+6% This is commercially sensitive and the Company 

plans to disclose the target and outcome in the 2016 
Annual Report.
Measured according to schedule and budget.

Measured according to KPIs and milestones. 

Measured according to KPIs and milestones.

≥+3%

≤-3%

≤-3%

The weighting attributable to core business has increased from 58% of the total scorecard in 2015 to 70% in 2016, and the weighting 
attributable to sustainability (including safety) has been increased from 21% in 2015 to 25% in 2016. This reflects the challenges associated 
with low forecast copper prices and the Group’s goals of focusing on safety, costs and productivity.

Starting in 2016, the Board has determined that two stand-alone triggers will apply to the calculation of Group performance as follows:

1.  If net profit adjusted for currency fluctuations, metals prices and exceptional items is negative, the score relating to core business will 

be 90%.

2.  If there are one or more fatalities in a year, the final Group performance score will be reduced by 15% within the performance range.  

If there are no fatalities the score will be increased by 15% within the performance range.

In addition, the Board has the discretion to adjust the final Group performance score by up to 3%.

The Board has also agreed to adjust the ratios between Group and individual performance under the 2016 Annual Bonus Plan. In 2016, 
the performance of the Vice Presidents will be weighted 70% towards Group performance and 30% towards individual performance 
(previously the split was 50/50). This change is intended to more closely align the performance of the Group CEO and the members 
of the Executive Committee with the Group’s objectives of improving safety, costs and productivity in 2016. 

108  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Illustrative application of the Remuneration Policy for the 
Group CEO in 2016

The following chart outlines the potential total remuneration of 
the Group CEO in 2016 under different performance scenarios. 
The chart is forward-looking and does not include information on the 
vesting of awards in 2015 shown in the single figure remuneration 
table on page 101.

Group CEO

Maximum

23%

23%

54%

$3.545m

Target

30%

15%

55%

$2.746m

Minimum

100%

$0.813m

$0

$1m

$2m

$3m

$4m

Fixed elements
Long-term variable elements

Annual variable elements

Figures are based on the following assumptions:

•  Minimum consists of base salary plus benefits only and excludes adjustments for inflation.

•  Target consists of base salary, benefits and incentive awards at 50% of the maximum 

potential award. 

•  Maximum consists of base salary, benefits and incentive awards at 100% of the maximum 

potential award.

•  No change in the share price is included in the calculation of the potential awards.

•  Long-term variable elements awards are calculated using the average closing share price 

for the last quarter of 2015 of 505.1p and an exchange rate of $1.528/£1.

•  Base salary, benefits and incentive awards are estimated in Chilean pesos and long-term 

variable awards are estimated by reference to the Company’s share price which is in pound 
sterling. These figures are therefore subject to exchange rate fluctuations. 

Remuneration structure

The Committee is satisfied that the remuneration arrangements 
in place for Diego Hernández and the Executive Committee are 
linked to performance, appropriately stretching and aligned to the 
business strategy. Variable remuneration is a core component of 
Executive Committee remuneration and up to 61% of the Executive 
Committee’s total annual remuneration may be achieved under the 
Annual Bonus Plan and the LTIP.

2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan Awards

The Committee completed a thorough review of the LTIP in 2015. 
This included a review of the plan’s objectives, methodology, 
participants, performance KPIs and targets. As part of this process, 
the plan was benchmarked against peers both globally and in the UK, 
and participants were asked to give feedback on the programme, 
including whether or not the performance KPIs adequately reflect 
current business challenges. As a consequence, the LTIP has been 
amended so that participants will receive a greater proportion of 
PSAs (70%) and a lower proportion of RSAs (30%). In addition, total 
shareholder return will account for 40% of the performance criteria 
attaching to 2016 PSAs (increased from 25% in 2015).

The PSAs granted in 2016 will be measured over a three-year 
performance period. The specific targets are commercially 
sensitive, and will be described retrospectively after the conclusion 
of the performance period, and are based on the following 
performance conditions:

Weighting  Objective
40%

Relative Total 
Shareholder Return 

20%

EBITDA

5%

35%

Mineral Resources 
Increase

Projects, 
Development  
and Sustainability

Measure
Comparison against Euromoney Global 
Mining Index with 33% vesting at 
performance equal to the index and 
100% vesting at performance equal 
to or greater than the index plus 5% 
during the three-year period.
The maximum figure corresponds 
to the accumulated EBITDA over the 
period 2016-2018. For 2016, this is 
calculated using the budget figure. 
For 2017 and 2018, the figures will 
be the ones resulting from the base 
case prepared during 2016. The final 
calculation will take into account price 
and exchange rate fluctuations.
Performance metrics correspond  
to the contained resources at the end 
of 2018.
These performance criteria relate 
to priority projects for the Group, 
environmental performance and 
community relations.

The LTIP was amended by the Committee in March 2015. As a 
consequence, any LTIP awards granted after 17 March 2015 are 
subject to malus provisions under the LTIP rules. These allow the 
Committee to, at its discretion, reduce the number of shares to 
which an award relates or to cancel an award as a result of:

• actions by a participant that, in the reasonable opinion of the 

Committee, amount to gross misconduct which has or may have 
a material affect on the value or reputation of the Company or any 
of its subsidiaries;

• a materially adverse error in the consolidated financial statements 

of the Group during the performance period; or 

• any reasonable circumstance that the Committee determines in 
good faith to have resulted in an unfair benefit to the participant.

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Annual Report on Remuneration 2015

Comparison of overall performance 
and remuneration

The following graph shows the Company’s performance compared 
with the performance of the FTSE All-Share Index and the 
Euromoney Global Mining Index over a seven-year period, measured 
by total shareholder return (as defined below). The FTSE All-Share 
Index has been selected as an appropriate benchmark as it is the 
most broadly based index to which the Company belongs and relates 
to the London Stock Exchange, the market where the Company’s 
ordinary shares are traded.

Total shareholder return performance in comparison with the 
Euromoney Global Mining Index is one of the performance criteria 
for Performance Share Awards granted pursuant to the LTIP as 
described above.

Total shareholder return is calculated to show a theoretical change 
in the value of a shareholding over a period, assuming that dividends 
are reinvested to purchase additional shares at the closing price 
applicable on the ex-dividend date. Total shareholder return for the 
FTSE All-Share Index and the Euromoney Global Mining Index is 
calculated by aggregating the returns of all individual constituents 
of those indices at the end of the seven-year period. 

Total Shareholder Return
Antofagasta plc vs FTSE All-Share Index and Euromoney Global Mining Index 

The total remuneration of the lead executive in the Group for the 
past seven years, in US dollars, has been as follows:

%

450
400
350
300
250
200
150
100
50
0

Dec 2008 Dec 2009 Dec 2010 Dec 2011 Dec 2012 Dec 2013 Dec 2014 Dec 2015

Antofagasta

FTSE All-Share

Euromoney Global Mining

Total Shareholder Return represents share price growth plus dividends reinvested over the 
period. Total Return Basis Index – 31 December 2008 = 100.

Source: Datastream.

Single figure 
remuneration for 
the Group’s lead 
executive $’000s
Chairman –  
Jean-Paul Luksic
Group CEO –  
Diego Hernández
Total
Percentage change 
on previous year
Proportion of 
maximum annual 
bonus paid to 
the Group CEO
Proportion of 
maximum LTIP 
awards vesting 
in favour of the  
Group CEO3

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013 20141,2

2015

3,184 3,330 3,521 3,598 3,615 2,196

–

–

688 2,534
3,184 3,330 3,521 3,598 3,615 2,884 2,534

–

–

–

–

(12)%

–

–

–

–

– 69% 39%

–

–

–

–

–

76% 41%

1  The single figure remuneration for the Group’s lead executive in 2014 comprises of Jean-Paul 
Luksic’s remuneration until 1 September 2014 (when he became Non-Executive Chairman)  
and Diego Hernández’s remuneration from 1 September 2014 (when he became Group CEO). 

2  The Chairman was not eligible for variable remuneration and the 2014 percentage figures 
therefore only relate to the 2014 annual bonus and LTIP awards vesting in favour of the 
Group CEO. 

3  The proportion of maximum LTIPs vesting in favour of the Group CEO for 2014 76% vesting 
of Performance Share Awards granted in 2012. The proportion of maximum LTIPs vesting in 
favour of the Group CEO for 2015 represents an estimated 41% vesting of the Performance 
Share Awards granted in 2013. Because Restricted Share Awards do not have a performance 
element, they are not included in these calculations. 

110  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

 
 
Relative change in remuneration

Relative importance of remuneration spend

The total remuneration paid to Diego Hernández for 2015 was 12% 
lower than the total remuneration paid to the lead executive in the 
Group. This included a 66% decrease in fees/base salary and a 35% 
decrease in benefits. These amounts are higher than the overall 
decrease in total remuneration because a large proportion of Diego 
Hernández’s total remuneration is made up of variable remuneration, 
whereas none of the Chairman’s remuneration was or is made up 
of variable remuneration. 

The equivalent average percentage change for Group employees 
as a whole was an increase of 4.3%. This comprised a 4.3% 
increase in salaries and a 0% movement in benefits. It is common 
for employment contracts in Chile to include an annual adjustment 
for Chilean inflation and most Group employees’ base salaries in 
Chile are linked to inflation. In 2015, Chilean inflation was 4.4%.

The table below compares the changes from 2014 to 2015 in fees/
base salary, benefits and annual bonus paid to the Group’s lead 
executive and Group employees as a whole. The underlying elements 
of the lead executives’ pay are calculated using the values reported 
in the single figure remuneration table on page 101. 

Executive Chairman/ 
Group CEO
Group employees

Percentage 
change in  
base salary

Percentage 
change in 
benefits

Percentage 
change in 
annual bonus

(66)%
4.3%

(35)%
0%

(51)%1
(10)%2

1  This figure relates to the percentage change in annual bonus for Diego Hernández only 
between 2014 and 2015 since Jean-Paul Luksic did not receive variable remuneration.

2  This figure relates to the percentage change in annual bonus for mining division employees and 
does not include a one-off bonus paid to employees as a result of the conclusion of collective 
bargaining agreements with labour unions in 2014. Mining division employees were chosen 
as the comparator group here because employees in the transport division did not participate 
in the Annual Bonus Plan in 2015.

The table below shows the total expenditure on employee 
remuneration, the levels of distributions to shareholders and 
the taxation cost in 2014 and 2015.

A

A

C

B

B

C

A Employee remuneration1 
B Distribution to shareholders2
C Taxation3

2014  
($m)
502.8
212.0
712.7

2015  
($m)
422.3
30.6
75.9

Percentage  
change
(16)%
(86)%
(89)%

1  The employee remuneration cost includes salaries and social security costs, as set out 

in Note 7 to the financial statements.

2  The distributions to shareholders represent the dividends proposed in relation to the year, 

as set out in Note 12 to the financial statements.

3  Taxation has been included because it provides an indication of the contribution of the Group’s 
operations in Chile to the Chilean State via its tax contributions. The taxation cost represents 
the current tax charge in respect of corporate tax, mining tax (royalty) and withholding tax, 
as set out in Note 9 to the financial statements.

Other information

This report does not disclose information in relation to the following, 
which were not relevant for the 2015 financial year:

• payments for loss of office – no such events occurred in the year;

• further details on pension arrangements – Directors do not receive 

pension benefits; and

• payments to past Directors – no such payments were made 

in the year.

Should such events occur in the future, the necessary disclosures 
will be made at the appropriate time.

The Remuneration Report has been approved by the Board and 
signed on its behalf by

Tim Baker
Chairman of the Remuneration  
and Talent Management Committee
14 March 2016

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Corporate Governance Report
Relations with shareholders

The shares of Antofagasta plc are listed on the main market 
of the London Stock Exchange. As explained in the Corporate 
Governance Report on page 71, the controlling shareholders of 
the Company hold approximately 65% of the Company’s ordinary 
shares. The majority of the remaining approximately 35% of the 
Company’s ordinary shares are held by institutional investors, 
mainly based in the UK and North America.

The Company maintains an active dialogue with institutional 
shareholders and sell-side analysts, as well as potential shareholders. 
This communication is managed by the investor relations team in 
London, and includes a formal programme of presentations and 
roadshows to update institutional shareholders and analysts on 
developments in the Group.

The Company publishes quarterly production figures as well as the 
half-year and full-year financial results. Copies of these production 
reports, financial results, presentations and other press releases 
issued by the Company are available on the Company’s website. 
The Group also publishes a separate Sustainability Report to provide 
further information on its social and environmental performance, 
which is available on the Company’s website in both Spanish 
and English.

The Company held regular meetings with institutional investors and 
sell-side analysts throughout the year, which included international 
investor roadshows, presenting at industry conferences and to 
institutional sales forces. These were attended by the Group 
CEO and various members of the management team, including 
the CEO of Antofagasta Minerals, the Vice President of Finance 
and Administration, the Vice President of Marketing and the Vice 
President of Development.

What our investors focused on most in 2015

• cost reduction programmes to control operating and capital costs;

• capital allocation;

• progress of the Antucoya project;

• acquisition of 50% of the Zaldívar copper mine;

• the sale of the Group’s water business;

• impact of events in Chile, including prolonged rains, earthquakes 

and the availability of energy and water;

• community and legal issues surrounding the Mauro tailings storage 

facility at Los Pelambres;

• the Group’s focus on brownfield development projects and the 

potential from longer-term growth projects;

• the capital distribution policy of the Group; and

• supply and demand factors in the world copper market.

The Board receives regular summaries and feedback in respect 
of the meetings held as part of the investor relations programme. 
The Company’s Annual General Meeting is also used as an 
opportunity to communicate with both institutional and private 
shareholders and all of the Directors met shareholders at the 2015 
Annual General Meeting.

Shareholder engagement calendar 2015

FEB

MAR

MAY

JUN

• Presentation of Full-Year 

• Mining division 

• US west coast roadshow 

• Group CEO presented at 
industry conference for 
institutional investors

2014 results

• European roadshow – 

• 3 days of 1-on-1 meetings 

4 days

with over 50 investors

• London roadshow – 

2 days

112  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

CEO presentation at 
industry conference for 
institutional investors

• 2 days of 1-on-1 meetings 

with over 40 investors

• Annual General Meeting 

in London

with VP Finance 
and Administration

• Institutional investor 

conference in California

 Our Group website 
www.antofagasta.co.uk

 Investor section 
www.antofagasta.co.uk/
investors/

Senior Independent Director

Since his appointment as Senior Independent Director in 2011, 
William Hayes has met with a number of the Group’s largest 
shareholders and proxy voting agencies, allowing him to provide his 
perspective on the Group’s governance and strategy and to obtain 
their feedback on the Group. 

In October 2015, William Hayes met with major shareholders and 
proxy voting agencies to focus on the issues that were most relevant 
to investors during the course of the year and to follow up on meetings 
that the Chairman had attended earlier in the year.

How our investors can find us

Shareholders also met with several Directors, including the Chairman, 
the Senior Independent Director and Chairman of the Audit and Risk 
Committee, the Chairman of the Projects Committee and members 
of the other Board Committees during the year.

The Chairman met with a number of the Group’s largest shareholders 
during the year to hear their views about the Company, its strategy, 
management and governance. During these meetings a wide range 
of topics were discussed, including:

• the use of proxy voting agency recommendations;

• Board composition and diversity;

• the determination of independence for a Director;

• the application of the “comply and explain” principle;

• talent development and succession planning;

• the structure of the Group’s LTIP;

• the link between Group pay structures and incentives  

and strategy; and

• progress in the court cases involving Los Pelambres.

The Chairman also used these meetings to explain the changes to 
the Board’s structure in 2014, to update shareholders on progress 
following these changes and to clarify how corporate governance 
developments are likely to assist the Group in the years ahead.

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

• Presentation of Half-Year 

• Investor relations 

• VP Marketing presented 

• Investor relations 

2015 results

• European roadshow – 

4 days

• London roadshow – 

2 days

• US east coast roadshow 

– 2 days

team attended three 
industry conferences 
in the UK and engaged 
with shareholders

to investors during 
London Metals Week

team attended two 
industry conferences 
in the UK and engaged 
with shareholders

Antofagasta plc  113

GOVERNANCEGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWDirectors’ Report

Directors

Capital structure

Details of the authorised and issued ordinary share capital, including 
details of any movements in the issued share capital during the year, 
are shown in Note 31 to the financial statements. The Company has 
one class of ordinary shares, which carry no right to fixed income. 
Each ordinary share carries one vote at any general meeting of 
the Company.

Details of the preference share capital are shown in Note 24 to the 
financial statements. The preference shares are non-redeemable 
and are entitled to a fixed cumulative dividend of 5% per annum. 
Each preference share carries 100 votes on a poll at any General 
Meeting of the Company.

The nominal value of the issued ordinary share capital is 96.1% of the 
total sterling nominal value of all issued share capital, and the nominal 
value of the issued preference share capital is 3.9% of the total 
sterling nominal value of all issued share capital.

There are no specific restrictions on the transfer of shares or on 
their voting rights beyond those standard provisions set out in the 
Company’s Articles of Association and other provisions of applicable 
law and regulation (including, in particular, following a failure to 
provide the Company with information about interests in shares as 
required by the Companies Act 2006). The Company is not aware of 
any agreements between holders of the Company’s shares that may 
result in restrictions on the transfer of securities or on voting rights.

The Company has the authority to purchase up to 98,585,669 of 
its own ordinary shares, representing 10% of the issued ordinary 
share capital. With regard to the appointment and replacement of 
Directors, the Company is governed by its Articles of Association, 
the UK Corporate Governance Code 2014, the Companies Act 2006 
and related legislation. The Articles of Association may be amended 
by special resolution of the shareholders. There are no significant 
agreements in place that take effect, alter or terminate upon a 
change of control of the Company. There are no agreements in place 
between the Company and its Directors or employees that provide 
for compensation for loss of office resulting from a change of control 
of the Company.

Directors that have served during the year and summaries of current 
Directors’ key skills and experience are set out in the Corporate 
Governance Report on pages 74 to 76.

Post balance sheet events

There have been no post balance sheet events.

Financial risk management

Details of the Company’s policies on financial risk management are 
set out in Note 26 to the financial statements.

Results and dividends

The consolidated profit before tax (from continuing operations) has 
decreased from $1,515.6 million in 2014 to $259.4 million in 2015.

An interim dividend of 3.1 cents was paid on 8 October 2015 (2014 
interim dividend – 11.7 cents). No final dividend for the year ended 
31 December 2015 is proposed to be paid. This gives total dividends 
per share proposed in relation to 2015 of 3.1 cents (2014 – 21.5 cents)  
and a total dividend amount in relation to 2015 of $30.6 million (2014 
– $212.0 million).

Preference shares carry the right to a fixed cumulative dividend 
of 5% per annum. The preference shares are classified within 
borrowings and preference dividends are included within finance 
costs. The total cost of dividends paid on preference shares and 
recognised as an expense in the income statement was $0.2 million 
(2014 – $0.2 million). Further information relating to dividends is 
set out in the Financial review on page 67 and in Note 12 to the 
financial statements.

Political contributions

The Group did not make political donations during the year ended 
31 December 2015 (2014 – nil).

Auditors

The auditors, PwC LLP have indicated their willingness to continue 
in office and a resolution seeking to re-appoint them will be proposed 
at the Annual General Meeting.

Disclosure of information to auditors

The Directors in office at the date of this report have each 
confirmed that:

(a) so far as he or she is aware, there is no relevant audit information 

of which the Group’s auditors are unaware; and

(b) he or she has taken all the steps that he or she ought to have 

taken as a Director in order to make himself aware of any relevant 
audit information and to establish that the Group’s auditors are 
aware of that information.

114  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Authority to issue shares and authority to purchase own shares

Conflicts of interest

At the 2015 AGM, held on 20 May 2015, authority was given to 
the Directors to allot unissued relevant securities in the Company 
up to a maximum amount equivalent to two-thirds of the shares in 
issue (of which one-third must be offered by way of rights issue). 
This authority expires on the date of this year’s AGM, to be held 
on 18 May 2016. No such shares have been issued. The Directors 
propose to renew this authority at this year’s AGM for the following 
year. A further special resolution passed at that meeting granted 
authority to the Directors to allot equity securities in the Company 
for cash, without regard to the pre-emption provisions of the 
Companies Act 2006. This authority also expires on the date of this 
year’s AGM and the Directors will seek to renew this authority for the 
following year.

The Company was also authorised by a shareholders’ resolution 
passed at the 2015 AGM to purchase up to 10% of its issued ordinary 
share capital. Any shares which have been bought back may be held 
as treasury shares or, if not so held, must be cancelled immediately 
upon completion of the purchase, thereby reducing the amount of 
the Company’s issued and authorised share capital. This authority 
will expire at this year’s AGM and a resolution to renew the authority 
for a further year will be proposed. No shares were purchased by the 
Company during the year.

Directors’ interests and indemnities

Details of Directors’ contracts and letters of appointment, 
remuneration and emoluments, and their interests in the shares 
of the Company as at 31 December 2015 are given in the Directors’ 
Remuneration Report. No Director had any material interest in a 
contract of significance (other than a service contract) with the 
Company or any subsidiary company during the year.

In accordance with the Company’s Articles of Association and to 
the extent permitted by the laws of England and Wales, Directors 
are granted an indemnity from the Company in respect of liabilities 
personally incurred as a result of their office. In respect of those 
matters for which the Directors may or may not be indemnified, 
the Company maintained a Directors’ and Officers’ liability insurance 
policy throughout the financial year. A new policy has been entered 
into for the current financial year.

The Companies Act 2006 requires that a Director must avoid a 
situation where he has, or can have, a direct or indirect interest 
that conflicts, or possibly may conflict, with the Company’s interests. 
The Company has undertaken a process to identify and, where 
appropriate, authorise and manage potential and actual conflicts. 
Each Director has identified his or her interests that may constitute 
conflicts including, for example, directorships in other companies. 
The Board, with detailed assistance from the Nomination and 
Governance Committee, has considered the potential and actual 
conflict situations of each of the Directors and decided in relation 
to each situation whether to authorise it and the steps, if any, which 
need to be taken to manage it. The authorisation process is not 
regarded as a substitute for managing an actual conflict of interest 
if one arises. The monitoring and, if appropriate, authorisation of 
actual and potential conflicts of interest is an ongoing process. 
Directors are required to notify the Company of any material changes 
in those positions or situations that have already been considered, as 
well as to notify the Company of any other new positions or situations 
that may arise. In addition to considering any new situations as they 
arise, the Board usually considers the conflict position of all Directors 
formally each year.

Substantial shareholdings

Notifiable major share interests in which the Company has been 
made aware are set out in the Corporate Governance Report 
on page 71.

Other statutory disclosures

The Corporate Governance Report on pages 70 to 113, the Statement 
of Directors’ Responsibilities on page 116 of this Annual Report 
and Notes 26 to the financial statements are incorporated into the 
Directors’ Report by reference.

Other information can be found in the following sections of the 
Strategic Report:

Future developments in the business of the Group
Viability and going concern statement
Subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures 
Employee consultation
Greenhouse gas emissions

Location in 
Strategic Report
Pages 39 to 52
Page 38
Pages 39 to 52
Pages 61 to 63
Page 57

By order of the Board

Julian Anderson
Company Secretary
14 March 2016

Antofagasta plc  115

GOVERNANCEGOVERNANCESTRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWStatement of Directors’ Responsibilities

The Directors consider that the Annual Report and Financial 
Statements, taken as a whole, is fair, balanced and understandable 
and provides the information necessary for shareholders to 
assess the Company’s position and performance, business 
model and strategy.

Each of the Directors, whose names and functions are listed in 
the Corporate Governance Report confirm that, to the best of 
their knowledge:

• the Group financial statements, which have been prepared in 

accordance with IFRSs as adopted by the EU, give a true and fair 
view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit of the 
Group; and

• the Strategic Report and the Directors’ Report include a fair review 

of the development and performance of the business and the 
position of the Group, together with a description of the principal 
risks and uncertainties that it faces.

By order of the Board

Jean-Paul Luksic   
Chairman 

14 March 2016

William Hayes
Senior Independent  
Director and Chairman of the 
Audit and Risk Committee 

Statement of Directors’ Responsibilities in relation to the 
financial statements

The Directors are responsible for preparing the Annual Report, 
the Directors’ Remuneration Report and the financial statements 
in accordance with applicable law and regulations.

Company law requires the Directors to prepare financial statements 
for each financial year. Under that law the Directors have prepared 
the Group financial statements in accordance with International 
Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRSs”) as adopted by the European 
Union, and the Parent Company financial statements in accordance 
with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice 
(United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law), including 
Financial Reporting Standard 101 Reduced Disclosure Framework 
(“FRS 101”). Under company law the Directors must not approve 
the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true 
and fair view of the state of affairs of the Group and the Company and 
of the profit or loss of the Group for that period. In preparing these 
financial statements, the Directors are required to:

• select suitable accounting policies and then apply 

them consistently;

• make judgements and accounting estimates that are reasonable 

and prudent;

• state whether IFRSs as adopted by the European Union and 

applicable UK Accounting Standards, including FRS 101, have 
been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and 
explained in the Group and Parent Company financial statements 
respectively; and

• prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless 

it is inappropriate to presume that the Company will continue 
in business.

The Directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting 
records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company’s 
transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the 
financial position of the Company and the Group and enable them to 
ensure that the financial statements and the Directors’ Remuneration 
Report comply with the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the 
Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation. They are 
also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and the 
Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and 
detection of fraud and other irregularities.

The Directors are responsible for the maintenance and integrity of the 
Company’s website. Legislation in the United Kingdom governing the 
preparation and dissemination of financial statements may differ from 
legislation in other jurisdictions.

116  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial statements

Independent auditors’ report

Consolidated income statement

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income

Consolidated statement of changes in equity

Consolidated balance sheet

Consolidated cash flow statement

Notes to the financial statements

Parent Company financial statements

118

122

123

123

124

125

126

179

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Antofagasta plc  117

 
 
 
Independent auditors’ report  
to the members of Antofagasta plc

Report on the financial statements

Our opinion

In our opinion:

Antofagasta plc’s group financial statements and Parent Company 
financial statements (the “financial statements”) give a true and fair 
view of the state of the Group’s and of the Parent Company’s affairs 
as at 31 December 2015 and of the Group’s profit and cash flows for 
the year then ended;

What we have audited

The financial statements, included within the Annual Report, comprise:

• the Consolidated Balance Sheet as at 31 December 2015;

• the Balance Sheet of the Parent Company as at 31 December 2015;

• the Consolidated Income Statement and the Consolidated 

Statement of Comprehensive Income for the year then ended;

• the Group financial statements have been properly prepared 

• the Consolidated Cash Flow Statement for the year then ended;

in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards 
(“IFRSs”) as adopted by the European Union;

• the parent company financial statements have been properly 

prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted 
Accounting Practice; and

• the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 

the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 and, as regards the 
Group financial statements, Article 4 of the IAS Regulation.

• the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the year 

then ended;

• the Statement of changes in equity of the Parent Company; and

• the notes to the financial statements, which include a summary 

of significant accounting policies and other explanatory information.

The financial reporting framework that has been applied in the 
preparation of the Group financial statements is applicable law 
and IFRSs as adopted by the European Union. The financial 
reporting framework that has been applied in the preparation 
of the Parent Company financial statements is United Kingdom 
Accounting Standards, comprising FRS 101 “Reduced Disclosure 
Framework”, and applicable law (United Kingdom Generally 
Accepted Accounting Practice).

Our audit approach

Context
The context for our audit was set by Antofagasta’s major activities in 
2015, against a backdrop of a significant fall in spot commodity prices, 
along with a number of changes in the composition of the Group. 
Antofagasta is one of the largest copper producers in the world, 
operating up to five mines in Chile, and its earnings were impacted 
by the fall in copper prices during the year. In the year, Antofagasta 
acquired a 50% interest in the Zaldívar mine and became the operator 
of this joint venture, in addition to acquiring 100% of Duluth Metals 

and consequently the Twin Metals exploration project. The Michilla 
mine, which had reached the end of its mine life, was placed on care 
and maintenance in December. At year end, the Antucoya mine was 
still being commissioned, and commercial production is expected to 
commence in the first half of 2016. Away from its mining operations, 
the Group also exited the water business in May, selling its entire 
interest in Aguas de Antofagasta S.A. (“ADASA”), and completed 
the disposal of its transport operation in Bolivia, Empresa Ferroviaria 
Andina S.A. (“FCA”).

Overview

Materiality

•  Overall group materiality: $65 million which represents 5% of three-year average of profit before tax adjusted 

for one-off items.

Audit scope

London and Chile.

•  We identified the three mine sites, Los Pelambres, Centinela and Antucoya, which in our view, required an audit 

of their complete financial information.

•  We conducted other audit procedures over the recently acquired Zaldívar mine and at the corporate offices in 

•  Taken together, the locations and functions where we performed our audit work accounted for 91% of revenue 

and approximately 76% of absolute adjusted profit before tax (ie the sum of the numerical values without regard 
to whether they were profits or losses for the relevant locations and functions).

Areas of
focus

•  Impairment assessments at Antucoya and Centinela.

•  Accounting for the acquisition of Zaldívar.

The scope of our audit and our areas of focus

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards 
on Auditing (UK and Ireland) (“ISAs (UK & Ireland)”).

whether there was evidence of bias by the directors that represented 
a risk of material misstatement due to fraud. 

We designed our audit by determining materiality and assessing the 
risks of material misstatement in the financial statements. In particular, 
we looked at where the directors made subjective judgements, 
for example in respect of significant accounting estimates that 
involved making assumptions and considering future events that are 
inherently uncertain. As in all of our audits, we also addressed the 
risk of management override of internal controls, including evaluating 

The risks of material misstatement that had the greatest effect on our 
audit, including the allocation of our resources and effort, are identified 
as “areas of focus” in the table below. We have also set out how we 
tailored our audit to address these specific areas in order to provide an 
opinion on the financial statements as a whole, and any comments we 
make on the results of our procedures should be read in this context. 
This is not a complete list of all risks identified by our audit. 

118  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Area of focus

How our audit addressed the area of focus

Impairment assessments at Antucoya 
and Centinela
In accordance with IAS 16 “Property, plant and 
equipment” the Directors are required to perform 
a review for impairment of long-lived assets at any 
time an indicator of impairment exists.

The Directors’ identified that impairment indicators 
existed at Antucoya and Centinela, as both mines are 
heavily leveraged to movements in copper prices. 

The Directors’ identified that the Antucoya and 
Centinela Cash Generating Units (“CGUs”) had 
a carrying value of $1,660 and $3,870 million 
respectively at 31 December 2015. The recoverable 
amounts calculated by the directors were in excess of 
the carrying values, and accordingly, no impairment 
was recorded.

The determination of recoverable amount was based 
on the higher of value-in-use and fair value less costs 
to dispose (“FVLCD”), which requires judgement on 
the part of the directors in valuing the relevant CGUs.

As a value-in-use methodology does not permit 
future expansion or optimisation plans to be 
included within the discounted cash flow model, the 
Directors have used a FVLCD valuation methodology 
to determine the recoverable amount, applying 
assumptions that a market participant would use 
to determine fair value. 

Accounting for the acquisition  
of Zaldívar
The acquisition of Zaldívar presents a number of 
complex accounting judgements in respect of the 
assessment of whether the Group controls or jointly 
controls the business, along with whether the 
business is a joint venture or joint arrangement.

Business combinations accounted for under IFRS 3 
“Business Combinations” are inherently complex, 
requiring the directors to perform a purchase price 
allocation exercise to fair value the assets and 
liabilities of the acquired business. In determining 
the purchase price allocation the Directors engaged 
an external expert. As Zaldívar was acquired on 
1 December 2015, there was limited time to conduct 
this exercise and in particular, the working capital 
adjustment period remained open.

We considered the Directors’ impairment trigger analysis and agree that impairment indicators existed 
at Antucoya and Centinela, and that these were the appropriate CGUs for impairment testing purposes. 

We evaluated the Directors’ future cash flow forecasts, and the process by which they were drawn up, 
including verifying the mathematical accuracy of the cash flow models and agreeing future capital and operating 
expenditure to the latest Board approved budgets and the latest approved Life of Mine plans. We assessed the 
reasonableness of the Directors’ future capital and operating expenses in light of their historical accuracy and 
the current operational results and concluded the forecasts had been appropriately prepared, notwithstanding 
that Antucoya has no operational history and the operating parameters are based on the feasibility study 
adjusted for the latest expectations.

For each CGU, utilising our valuation experts, we evaluated the appropriateness of key market related 
assumptions in the Directors’ valuation models, including the copper prices, discount rates, foreign currency 
exchange rates and acid prices. We noted that the margin of recoverable amount above carrying value for 
both CGUs was particularly sensitive to changes in long-term copper price and discount rate assumptions.

We formed an independent view of the copper price that a market participant might use in a fair value less 
cost to dispose scenario. We found that the Directors’ long-term copper price assumption $3.00/lb was 
at the higher end of a reasonable range. 

We independently calculated a weighted average cost of capital by making reference to market data, 
and considered the CGU specific risks. The discount rate used by the Directors’ of 8% fell at the lower 
end of what we calculated as a reasonable range. 

We performed sensitivity analysis around the key assumptions within the cash flow forecasts using a range of 
higher discount rates and lower long term copper prices and there was no impairment. Having done so, whilst 
we agreed with the director’s conclusion, we found that a reasonably plausible downside scenario, within our 
reasonable range, would result in an impairment of both CGUs.

In light of the above, we reviewed the appropriateness of the related disclosures in Note 15 of the financial 
statements, including the sensitivities provided with respect to the relevant CGUs, and concluded they 
were appropriate.

The Directors’ determined that based on the respective rights and obligations of each investor, Zaldívar was 
jointly controlled and should be equity accounted as a joint venture. We examined the terms of the sale and joint 
venture agreements and considered the substantive rights of the investors over the relevant activities of the 
investee and determined that equity accounting was appropriate.

The Group engaged an independent valuation expert to perform the purchase price allocation exercise and 
we assessed the competency and objectivity of the expert, and the scope of their work.

We read the expert’s report and discussed with the expert their valuation methodology for each category 
of asset and liability, along with the key judgements, including copper prices and discount rates, they made 
in determining the fair values. We determined that the methods used by the Directors’ expert were appropriate 
and the fair values appeared reasonable based on the judgements made. 

The Group has disclosed that the purchase price allocation remains provisional as the final working capital true 
up has not been agreed with the vendor and further adjustment to the consideration, or the allocation to assets 
and liabilities, could result.

We concurred with the Directors’ expert’s assessment of the provisional purchase price allocation and the 
appropriateness of the related disclosures in Note 17 of the financial statements.

How we tailored the audit scope

We tailored the scope of our audit to ensure that we performed 
enough work to be able to give an opinion on the financial statements 
as a whole, taking into account the geographic structure of the Group, 
the accounting processes and controls, and the industry in which the 
Group operates. As part of our planning for the audit, we reviewed 
the predecessor auditor’s working papers.

The core mining business consists of five assets: Los Pelambres 
and Centinela, which are the main operating assets; Antucoya, 
which is under construction; Michilla, which was placed on care 
and maintenance in December 2015; and Zaldívar, a joint venture 
with Barrick Gold Corporation. Centinela consists of the combined 
El Tesoro and Esperanza assets. The Group acquired its interest in 
Zaldívar in December 2015, and is now the operator of this asset. 

The Group’s non-core divisions consist of: a transport operation, 
Ferrocarril Antofagasta a Bolivia and a water business, Aguas de 
Antofagasta. The water business was sold in May 2015 and as such 
its results for the period are presented as discontinued operations. 

All of the above operations are located in Chile. In addition, the 
Group has corporate head offices located in both Santiago, Chile 
(Antofagasta Minerals) and London, UK (Antofagasta plc). 

In establishing the overall approach to the Group audit, we determined 
the type of work that needed to be performed at each of the three 
mine sites and the corporate offices in Chile, by us, as the Group 
engagement team and by component auditors from PwC Chile 
operating under our instruction. Los Pelambres and Centinela were 
considered to be financially significant components of the Group, due 
to their contribution towards Group profit before tax, and so required 
audits of their complete financial information. Antucoya  
was also subject to an audit of its complete financial information, 
in response to the risk of impairment to its carrying value.

We also requested that component auditors perform specified 
procedures over the recently acquired Zaldívar mine, the corporate 
offices in Chile, and specific line items of other entities within the 
Group to ensure that we had sufficient coverage from our audit work 
for each line of the Group’s financial statements. 

Antofagasta plc  119

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORTIndependent auditors’ report  
to the members of Antofagasta plc

Where work was performed by component auditors, we determined 
the level of involvement we needed to have in the audit work to 
be able to conclude whether sufficient appropriate audit evidence 
had been obtained as a basis for our opinion on the Group financial 
statements as a whole.

A UK senior manager was seconded to PwC Chile to be an integral 
part of the team. In addition the Senior Statutory Auditor visited 
Chile three times, including two mine sites, and attended key 
audit meetings with our component auditors and management. 
The Group team also reviewed the component auditor working 
papers, attended local audit clearance meetings, and reviewed other 
forms of communications dealing with significant accounting and 
auditing issues.

Materiality

The scope of our audit was influenced by our application of 
materiality. We set certain quantitative thresholds for materiality. 
These, together with qualitative considerations, helped us to 
determine the scope of our audit and the nature, timing and extent 
of our audit procedures on the individual financial statement line 
items and disclosures and in evaluating the effect of misstatements, 
both individually and on the financial statements as a whole. 

Based on our professional judgement, we determined materiality 
for the financial statements as a whole as follows:

Overall Group 
materiality

How we 
determined it

Rationale for 
benchmark applied

Component 
materiality

$65 million (2014 – $75 million).

5% of three-year average of profit before tax adjusted for 
one-off items, primarily the profit on disposal of ADASA.

We believe that profit before tax is the primary measure 
in assessing the performance of the Group, and is a 
generally accepted auditing benchmark. We used a 
three-year average due to the impact on profit before tax 
of the inherent volatility in copper commodity prices, and 
adjusted for one-off items to eliminate the volatility that 
they introduce.

For each component in our audit scope, we allocated a 
materiality that is less than our overall Group materiality. 
The range of materiality allocated across components 
was between $60 million and $40 million. 

We agreed with the Audit and Risk Committee that we would report 
to them misstatements identified during our audit above $3 million 
(2014 – $1.25 million) as well as misstatements below that amount 
that, in our view, warranted reporting for qualitative reasons.

Going concern

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review the Directors’ 
Statement, set out on page 114, in relation to going concern. 
We have nothing to report having performed our review.

Under ISAs (UK & Ireland) we are required to report to you if we 
have anything material to add or to draw attention to in relation to the 
Directors’ Statement about whether they considered it appropriate to 
adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. 
We have nothing material to add or to draw attention to.

As noted in the Directors’ Statement, the Directors have concluded 
that it is appropriate to adopt the going concern basis in preparing 
the financial statements. The going concern basis presumes that 
the Group and Parent Company have adequate resources to remain 
in operation, and that the Directors intend them to do so, for at least 
one year from the date the financial statements were signed. As part 
of our audit we have concluded that the Directors’ use of the going 
concern basis is appropriate. However, because not all future events 
or conditions can be predicted, these statements are not a guarantee 
as to the Group’s and Parent Company’s ability to continue as a 
going concern.

Other required reporting

Consistency of other information

Companies Act 2006 opinion
In our opinion, the information given in the Strategic Report and 
the Directors’ Report for the financial year for which the financial 
statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements.

ISAs (UK & Ireland) reporting
Under ISAs (UK & Ireland) we are required to report to you if, 
in our opinion:

•  information in the Annual Report is:

•  materially inconsistent with the information in the audited 

financial statements; or

•  apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially 

inconsistent with, our knowledge of the Group and Parent 
Company acquired in the course of performing our audit; or

•  otherwise misleading.

•  the statement given by the Directors’ on page 114, in accordance 

with provision C.1.1 of the UK Corporate Governance Code 
(the “Code”), that they consider the Annual Report taken as a 
whole to be fair, balanced and understandable and provides the 
information necessary for members to assess the Group’s and 
Parent Company’s position and performance, business model 
and strategy is materially inconsistent with our knowledge 
of the Group and Parent Company acquired in the course 
of performing our audit.

We have no 
exceptions 
to report.

We have no 
exceptions 
to report.

•  the section of the Annual Report on page 86, as required by 

provision C.3.8 of the Code, describing the work of the Audit and 
Risk Committee does not appropriately address matters 
communicated by us to the Audit and Risk Committee.

We have no 
exceptions 
to report.

120  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

The Directors’ assessment of the prospects of the Group and of 
the principal risks that would threaten the solvency or liquidity  
of the Group

Under ISAs (UK & Ireland) we are required to report to you if we have 
anything material to add or to draw attention to in relation to:

•  the Directors’ confirmation on page 35 of the Annual Report, 

in accordance with provision C.2.1 of the Code, that they have 
carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing 
the group, including those that would threaten its business 
model, future performance, solvency or liquidity.

•  the disclosures in the Annual Report that describe those risks 

and explain how they are being managed or mitigated.

•  the Directors’ explanation on page 116 of the Annual Report, 
in accordance with provision C.2.2 of the Code, as to how 
they have assessed the prospects of the Group, over what 
period they have done so and why they consider that period 
to be appropriate, and their statement as to whether they 
have a reasonable expectation that the Group will be able to 
continue in operation and meet its liabilities as they fall due 
over the period of their assessment, including any related 
disclosures drawing attention to any necessary qualifications 
or assumptions.

We have nothing 
material to add  
or to draw 
attention to.

We have nothing 
material to add  
or to draw 
attention to.

We have nothing 
material to add  
or to draw 
attention to.

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review the Directors’ statement that 
they have carried out a robust assessment of the principal risks facing the Group 
and the Directors’ statement in relation to the longer-term viability of the Group. 
Our review was substantially less in scope than an audit and only consisted 
of making inquiries and considering the Directors’ process supporting their 
statements; checking that the statements are in alignment with the relevant 
provisions of the Code; and considering whether the statements are consistent 
with the knowledge acquired by us in the course of performing our audit. 
We have nothing to report having performed our review.

Adequacy of accounting records and information and 
explanations received

Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, 
in our opinion:

• we have not received all the information and explanations we 

require for our audit; or

• adequate accounting records have not been kept by the parent 

company, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received 
from branches not visited by us; or

• the parent company financial statements and the part of the 

Directors’ Remuneration Report to be audited are not in agreement 
with the accounting records and returns.

We have no exceptions to report arising from this responsibility.

Directors’ remuneration

Directors’ Remuneration Report – Companies Act 2006 opinion
In our opinion, the part of the Directors’ Remuneration Report to 
be audited has been properly prepared in accordance with the 
Companies Act 2006.

Other Companies Act 2006 reporting
Under the Companies Act 2006 we are required to report to you if, 
in our opinion, certain disclosures of Directors’ remuneration specified 
by law are not made. We have no exceptions to report arising from 
this responsibility. 

Corporate governance statement

Under the Listing Rules we are required to review the part of the 
Corporate Governance Statement relating to ten further provisions 
of the Code. We have nothing to report having performed our review. 

Responsibilities for the financial statements  
and the audit

Our responsibilities and those of the Directors

As explained more fully in the Directors’ Responsibilities Statement 
set out on page 116, the Directors are responsible for the preparation 
of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true 
and fair view.

Our responsibility is to audit and express an opinion on the financial 
statements in accordance with applicable law and ISAs (UK & 
Ireland). Those standards require us to comply with the Auditing 
Practices Board’s Ethical Standards for Auditors.

This report, including the opinions, has been prepared for and only 
for the Parent Company’s members as a body in accordance with 
Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006 and for no other 
purpose. We do not, in giving these opinions, accept or assume 
responsibility for any other purpose or to any other person to whom 
this report is shown or into whose hands it may come save where 
expressly agreed by our prior consent in writing.

What an audit of financial statements involves

An audit involves obtaining evidence about the amounts and 
disclosures in the financial statements sufficient to give reasonable 
assurance that the financial statements are free from material 
misstatement, whether caused by fraud or error. This includes 
an assessment of: 

• whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the Group’s and 
the Parent Company’s circumstances and have been consistently 
applied and adequately disclosed; 

• the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made 

by the directors; and

• the overall presentation of the financial statements. 

We primarily focus our work in these areas by assessing the 
Directors’ judgements against available evidence, forming 
our own judgements, and evaluating the disclosures in the 
financial statements.

We test and examine information, using sampling and other 
auditing techniques, to the extent we consider necessary to provide 
a reasonable basis for us to draw conclusions. We obtain audit 
evidence through testing the effectiveness of controls, substantive 
procedures or a combination of both. 

In addition, we read all the financial and non-financial information 
in the Annual Report to identify material inconsistencies with the 
audited financial statements and to identify any information that is 
apparently materially incorrect based on, or materially inconsistent 
with, the knowledge acquired by us in the course of performing the 
audit. If we become aware of any apparent material misstatements 
or inconsistencies we consider the implications for our report.

Jason Burkitt (Senior Statutory Auditor)
for and on behalf of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chartered Accountants and Statutory Auditors
London
14 March 2016 

Antofagasta plc  121

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORTConsolidated income statement
For the year ended 31 December 2015

Group revenue
Total operating costs 
Operating profit from subsidiaries
Share of results from associates and joint ventures
Total profit from operations, associates and joint ventures
Investment income
Interest expense
Other finance items
Net finance expense
Profit before tax
Income tax expense
Profit for the financial year from continuing operations
Discontinued operations
Profit for the financial year from discontinued operations
Profit for the year
Attributable to:
Non-controlling interests
Owners of the parent

Basic earnings per share
From continuing operations
From discontinued operations
Total continuing and discontinued operations

Notes
4,5

4,6
17,4
4,6

8
4
9
4

10

32
11

11

2015 
$m
3,394.6 
(3,090.2)
304.4 
(5.8)
298.6 
18.1 
(33.7)
(23.6)
(39.2)
259.4 
(160.4)
99.0 

602.7 
701.7 

93.5 
608.2 

2014
(restated)
$m
5,145.6 
(3,562.0)
1,583.6 
(4.1)
1,579.5 
16.8 
(44.4)
(36.3)
(63.9)
1,515.6 
(702.3)
813.3 

37.4 
850.7 

390.9 
459.8 

US cents

US cents

0.6 
61.1 
61.7 

42.8 
3.8 
46.6 

122  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Consolidated statement of comprehensive income
For the year ended 31 December 2015

Profit for the year
Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss: 
Gains/(losses) in fair value of cash flow hedges deferred in reserves
Share of other comprehensive losses of associates and joint ventures, net of tax
Losses in fair value of available-for-sale investments
Currency translation adjustment
Deferred tax effects arising on cash flow hedges deferred in reserves
Losses/(gains) in fair value of cash flow hedges transferred to the income statement 
Losses in fair value of available-for-sale investments transferred to income statement
Deferred tax effects arising on amounts transferred to the income statement
Total items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss

Items that will not be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss:
Actuarial gains/(losses) on defined benefit plans
Tax on items recognised directly in equity that will not be reclassified
Total items that will not be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss
Total other comprehensive expense
Total comprehensive income for the year

Attributable to:
Non-controlling interests
Owners of the parent

Notes
4

26
17
18

26
26
8
26

28

32

2015 
$m
701.7 

1.7 
(16.0)
(3.2)
(1.8)
–
5.8 
1.0 
(1.3)
(13.8)

3.8 
(1.2)
2.6 
(11.2)
690.5 

90.9 
599.6 

2014  
$m
850.7 

(0.2)
(42.0)
(6.1)
(26.2)
2.1 
(8.5)
26.3 
1.8 
(52.8)

(17.4)
4.2 
(13.2)
(66.0)
784.7 

370.1 
414.6 

Consolidated statement of changes in equity
For the year ended 31 December 2015

At 1 January 2014
Comprehensive income for the year
Other comprehensive expense for the year
Change in ownership interest in subsidiaries
Loss of control in subsidiaries
Capital increase in non-controlling interest
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest
Dividends
At 31 December 2014
Comprehensive income for the year
Other comprehensive (expense)/income for the year
Loss of control in subsidiaries
Capital contribution from non-controlling interest
Dividends
At 31 December 2015

Share capital 
$m
89.8 
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
89.8 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
89.8 

Share 
premium 
$m
199.2 
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
199.2 
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
199.2 

Other 
reserves 
(Note 31) 
$m
(12.0)
–
(35.4)
–
–
–
–
–
(47.4)
– 
(11.9)
– 
– 
– 
(59.3)

Retained 
earnings 
(Note 31) 
$m
6,447.5 
459.8 
(9.8)
1.5 
–
(2.7)
–
(964.2)
5,932.1 
608.2 
3.3 
– 
– 
(127.2)
6,416.4 

Net  
equity 
$m
6,724.5 
459.8 
(45.2)
1.5 
– 
(2.7)
– 
(964.2)
6,173.7 
608.2 
(8.6)
– 
– 
(127.2)
6,646.1 

Non-
controlling 
interests 
$m
1,939.1 
390.9 
(20.8)
(32.0)
(56.7)
2.7 
50.0 
(412.2)
1,861.0 
93.5 
(2.6)
(13.3)
14.6 
(80.0)
1,873.2 

Total  
equity 
$m
8,663.6 
850.7 
(66.0)
(30.5)
(56.7)
– 
50.0 
(1,376.4)
8,034.7 
701.7 
(11.2)
(13.3)
14.6 
(207.2)
8,519.3 

Antofagasta plc  123

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORTConsolidated balance sheet
As at 31 December 2015

Non-current assets
Intangible assets
Property, plant and equipment
Investment property
Inventories
Investment in associates and joint ventures 
Trade and other receivables
Available-for-sale investments
Deferred tax assets

Current assets
Inventories
Trade and other receivables
Current tax assets
Derivative financial instruments
Liquid investments
Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Trade and other payables
Current tax liabilities

Non-current liabilities
Medium and long-term borrowings
Derivative financial instruments
Trade and other payables
Post-employment benefit obligations
Decommissioning and restoration and other long-term provisions
Deferred tax liabilities

Total liabilities
Net assets
Equity
Share capital
Share premium
Other reserves
Retained earnings
Equity attributable to equity owners of the parent
Non-controlling interests
Total equity

Notes

2015 
$m

2014 
(Restated) 
$m

13
14

21
17
22
18
29

21
22

26
23
23

24
26
25

24
26
25
28
30
30

31

31
31

32

150.1 
8,601.1 
2.0 
263.9 
1,146.6 
292.9 
2.7 
124.6 
10,583.9

297.1 
604.8 
319.5 
0.2 
924.1 
807.5 
2,953.2 
13,537.1 

(758.9)
(2.0)
(478.9)
(198.8)
(1,438.6)

(1,996.2)
(1.5)
(24.4)
(86.9)
(394.0)
(1,076.2)
(3,579.2)
(5,017.8)
8,519.3

89.8
199.2
(59.3)
6,416.4
6,646.1
1,873.2
8,519.3

118.6 
8,213.9 
2.6 
247.8 
198.1 
239.5 
15.6 
104.6 
9,140.7 

382.5 
810.3 
106.9 
0.2 
1,529.1 
845.4 
3,674.4 
12,815.1 

(284.5)
(7.5)
(793.8)
(77.6)
(1,163.4)

(2,091.6)
(3.5)
(4.8)
(103.0)
(434.3)
(979.8)
(3,617.0)
(4,780.4)
8,034.7 

89.8 
199.2 
(47.4)
5,932.1 
6,173.7 
1,861.0 
8,034.7 

The financial statements on pages 122 to 124 were approved by the Board of Directors on 14 March 2016 and signed on its behalf by

Jean-Paul Luksic 
Chairman 

William Hayes
Director

124  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

 
Consolidated cash flow statement
For the year ended 31 December 2015

Cash flows from operations
Interest paid
Income tax paid
Net cash from operating activities
Investing activities
Capital contribution and loan to associates and joint ventures
Acquisition of joint ventures
Dividends from associate
Acquisition of available-for-sale investments
Disposal of subsidiary
Acquisition of mining properties
Cash derecognised due to loss of control of subsidiary
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
Net decrease in liquid investments
Interest received
Net cash used in investing activities 
Financing activities
Dividends paid to equity holders of the Company 
Dividends paid to preference shareholders of the Company
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests
Capital contribution from non-controlling interests
Change in ownership interest in subsidiaries
Proceeds from issue of new borrowings
Repayments of borrowings
Repayments of obligations under finance leases
Net cash from/(used) in financing activities
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the year
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the year

Notes
33

17
20
17
18
8
19

23

12
12
32

33
33
33

33
33
23,33

2015 
$m
858.3 
(38.6)
(427.1)
392.6 

(112.0)
(972.8)
12.1 
(0.2)
942.9 
(78.0)
– 
1.6 
(1,048.5)
605.0 
11.0 
(638.9)

(127.2)
(0.2)
(80.0)
14.6 
– 
725.9 
(276.4)
(11.9)
244.8 
(1.5)
845.4 
(1.5)
(36.4)
807.5 

2014 
$m
2,507.8 
(45.4)
(641.5)
1,820.9 

(125.2)
– 
20.0 
(5.9)
– 
– 
(7.6)
1.7 
(1,646.3)
542.3 
16.5 
(1,204.5)

(964.2)
(0.2)
(412.2)
50.0 
(30.9)
1,583.4 
(570.9)
(12.2)
(357.2)
259.2 
613.7 
259.2 
(27.5)
845.4 

Antofagasta plc  125

STRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTFINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORTNotes to the financial statements

1 Basis of preparation

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with 
International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) and with those 
parts of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to companies reporting 
under IFRS. For these purposes, IFRS comprise the standards issued 
by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) and IFRS 
Interpretations Committee (“IFRS IC”) that have been endorsed by 
the European Union (“EU”).

The financial statements have been prepared on the going concern 
basis. Details of the factors which have been taken into account in 
assessing the Group’s going concern status are set out within the 
Directors´ Report.

Significant events during 2015 and 2014

Construction of the Antucoya project was completed during 2015 
and the project is currently in its initial start-up phase during which 
final commissioning activities are being performed to ensure that 
the operation’s assets are capable of operating in the manner 
intended by management. During this initial start-up period, all 
costs of the Antucoya operation, along with related revenues, 
are being capitalised. 

On 1 December 2015, the Group completed the agreement with 
Barrick Gold Corporation (“Barrick”) under which Antofagasta 
acquired a 50% interest in Compañia Minera Zaldívar SpA 
(“Zaldívar”), and has accounted for its 50% interest in Zaldívar 
as a joint venture from that date.

The Group completed the sale of its water division, Aguas de 
Antofagasta S.A. to Empresas Publicas de Medellin, on 2 June, 2015 
and the sale of its transport operation in Bolivia, Empresa Ferroviaria 
Andina (“FCA”), to Kimarcus Group Corp on 28 August, 2015. 
In these financial statements the net results of the water division 
for the five months to May 2015 and of the FCA for the eight months 
to August 2015, are shown in the income statement on the line for 
“Profit for the period from discontinued operations”. The comparative 
results for the prior year have been restated in order to present the 
comparative net result on the “Profit for the period from discontinued 
operations” line.

In January 2015, the Group completed its acquisition of Duluth Metals 
Limited (“Duluth”). As a result of the acquisition, the Group now has a 
100% interest in Twin Metals Minnesota Limited (“Twin Metals”) and 
therefore it has been consolidated as a subsidiary of the Group from 
that date.

A reclassification between property, plant and equipment and 
current inventories has been made in the prior period comparative 
figures related to Ferrocarril Antofagasta Bolivia (“FCAB”). This has 
resulted in an increase in current inventories and a corresponding 
decrease in property, plant and equipment of $13.2 million as at 
31 December 2014.

During 2014, the Group merged Minera Esperanza and Minera 
El Tesoro into a single entity – Minera Centinela. The production of 
copper concentrate, which was previously within Minera Esperanza, 
is now referred to as Centinela Concentrates, and the production of 
copper cathodes, which was previously within Minera El Tesoro, is 
referred to as Centinela Cathodes.

a) Adoption of new accounting standards
The following accounting standards, amendments and interpretations 
became effective in the current reporting period:

Annual improvements 2011–2013 Cycle – improvements to 
four IFRSs

IFRIC 21 Levies

The application of these standards and interpretations, effective for 
the first time in the current year, has had no significant impact on the 
amounts reported in these financial statements. 

b) Accounting standards issued but not yet effective 
At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the 
following Standards and Interpretations which have not been applied 
in these financial statements were in issue but not yet effective:

• IFRS 9 Financial Instruments

• IFRS 14 Regulatory Deferral Accounts

• IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers

• IFRS 16 Leases

• IAS 19 Defined Benefit Plans, Employee Contributions 

(Amendments to IAS 19)

• Annual improvements 2010–2012 Cycle – improvements 

to six IFRSs

• Accounting for Acquisitions of Interests in Joint Operations 

(Amendments to IFRS 11)

• Clarification of Acceptable Methods of Depreciation and 

Amortisation (Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38)

• Agriculture: Bearer Plants (Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 41)

• Equity Method in Separate Financial Statements (Amendments 

to IAS 27)

• Sale or Contribution of Assets between an Investor and its 

Associate or Joint Venture (Amendments to IFRS 10 and IAS 28)

• Investment Entities: Applying the Consolidation Exception 

(Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 28)

• Disclosure Initiative (Amendments to IAS 1) 

• Annual improvements 2012–2014 Cycle – improvements to 

four IFRSs

• Recognition of Deferred Tax Assets for Unrealised Losses 

(Amendments to IAS 12)

• Disclosure Initiative (Amendments to IAS 7)

The Group is continuing to evaluate the impact of adopting these 
new standards and interpretations. 

The Group is continuing to evaluate in detail the potential impact of 
IFRS 9 Financial Instruments and IFRS 15 Revenue from contracts 
with customers but does not currently expect these to have a material 
impact. In respect of IFRS 16 Leases the Group is not able to estimate 
the impact of the new rules on the Group´s financial statements. 
The Group will make more detailed assessments of the impact.

126  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

2 Principal accounting policies

a) Accounting convention

These financial statements have been prepared under the historical 
cost convention as modified by the use of fair values to measure 
certain financial instruments, principally provisionally priced sales as 
explained in Note 2(f) and financial derivative contracts as explained 
in Note 2(x).

b) Basis of consolidation

The financial statements comprise the consolidated financial 
statements of Antofagasta plc (“the Company”) and its subsidiaries 
(collectively “the Group”).

(i)  Subsidiaries – A subsidiary is an entity over which the Group 
has control, which is the case when the Group is exposed to, 
or has rights to, variable returns from its involvement with the 
entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power 
over the entity. The consolidated financial statements include all 
the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and cash flows of the 
Company and its subsidiaries after eliminating inter-company 
balances and transactions. For partly-owned subsidiaries, 
the net assets and net earnings attributable to non-controlling 
shareholders are presented as “Non-controlling interests” in the 
consolidated balance sheet and consolidated income statement.

Non-controlling interests that are present ownership interests 
and entitle their holders to a proportionate share of the entity’s 
net assets in the event of liquidation, may be initially measured 
either at fair value or at the non-controlling interests’ proportionate 
share of the recognised amounts of the acquiree’s identifiable 
net assets. The choice of measurement basis is made on an 
acquisition-by-acquisition basis. Other types of non-controlling 
interests are measured at fair value or, when applicable, on the 
basis specified in another IFRS. Subsequent to acquisition, the 
carrying amount of non-controlling interests is the amount of those 
interests at initial recognition plus the non-controlling interests’ 
share of subsequent changes in equity. Total comprehensive 
income is attributed to non-controlling interests even if this results 
in the non-controlling interests having a deficit balance.

Changes in the Group’s ownership interests in subsidiaries that 
do not result in the Group losing control over the subsidiaries are 
accounted for as equity transactions. The carrying amounts of the 
Group’s interests and the non-controlling interests are adjusted 
to reflect the changes in their relative interests in the subsidiaries. 
Any difference between the amount by which the non-controlling 
interests are adjusted and the fair value of the consideration paid 
or received is recognised directly in equity and attributed to owners 
of the Company.

When the Group loses control of a subsidiary, a gain or loss is 
recognised in profit or loss and is calculated as the difference 
between (i) the aggregate of the fair value of the consideration 
received and the fair value of any retained interest and (ii) the 
previous carrying amount of the assets (including goodwill), 
and liabilities of the subsidiary and any non-controlling interests. 
When assets of the subsidiary are carried at revalued amounts 
or fair values and the related cumulative gain or loss has been 
recognised in other comprehensive income and accumulated in 
equity, the amounts previously recognised in other comprehensive 
income and accumulated in equity are accounted for as if the Group 
had directly disposed of the relevant assets (ie reclassified to profit 
or loss or transferred directly to retained earnings as specified by 
applicable IFRSs). The fair value of any investment retained in the 
former subsidiary at the date when control is lost is regarded as 
the fair value on initial recognition for subsequent accounting under 
IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement or, 
when applicable, the cost on initial recognition of an investment 
in an associate or a joint venture.

Acquisitions and disposals are treated as explained in Note 2(g) 
relating to business combinations and goodwill.

c) Investments in associates

An associate is an entity over which the Group is in a position to 
exercise significant influence, but not control or joint control, through 
the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions 
of that entity. The results and assets and liabilities of associates are 
incorporated in these consolidated financial statements using the 
equity method of accounting. This requires recording the investment 
initially at cost to the Group and then, in subsequent periods, adjusting 
the carrying amount of the investment to reflect the Group’s share of 
the associate’s results less any impairment and any other changes to 
the associate’s net assets such as dividends. When the Group loses 
control of a former subsidiary but retains an investment in associate 
in that entity, the initial carrying value of the investment in associate 
is recorded at its fair value at that point. When the Group’s share of 
losses of an associate exceeds the Group’s interest in that associate, 
the Group discontinues recognising its share of further losses. 
Additional losses are recognised only to the extent that the Group 
has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments 
on behalf of the associate.

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f) Revenue recognition

d) Joint arrangements

A joint arrangement is an arrangement of which two or more parties 
have joint control. Joint arrangements are accounted depending on 
the nature of the arrangement.

(i)  Joint ventures – are accounted for using equity method in 
accordance with IAS 28 Investment in Associates and Joint 
Ventures as described in Note 2(c).

(ii)  Joint operations – are accounted for recognising directly the 

assets, obligations, revenues and expenses of the joint operator 
in the joint arrangement. The assets, liabilities, revenues and 
expenses are accounted for in accordance with the relevant IFRS. 

When a Group entity transacts with its joint arrangements, profits and 
losses resulting from the transactions with the joint arrangements are 
recognised in the Group’s consolidated financial statements only to 
the extent of interests in the joint arrangements that are not related 
to the Group.

e) Currency translation

The functional currency for each entity in the Group is determined 
as the currency of the primary economic environment in which 
it operates. Transactions in currencies other than the functional 
currency of the entity are translated at the exchange rate ruling at the 
date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated 
in currencies other than the functional currency are retranslated 
at year end exchange rates. Gains and losses on retranslation are 
included in net profit or loss for the period within other finance items.

The presentational currency of the Group and the functional 
currency of the Company is the US dollar. On consolidation, income 
statement items for entities with a functional currency other than the 
US dollar are translated into US dollars at average rates of exchange. 
Balance sheet items are translated at period-end exchange rates. 
Exchange differences on translation of the net assets of such entities 
are taken to equity and recorded in a separate currency translation 
reserve. Cumulative translation differences arising after the transition 
date to IFRS are recognised as income or as expenses in the income 
statement in the period in which an operation is disposed of.

On consolidation, exchange gains and losses which arise on balances 
between Group entities are taken to reserves where that balance 
is, in substance, part of the net investment in a foreign operation, 
ie where settlement is neither planned nor likely to occur in the 
foreseeable future. All other exchange gains and losses on Group 
balances are dealt with in the income statement.

Fair value adjustments and any goodwill arising on the acquisition of a 
foreign entity are treated as assets of the foreign entity and translated 
at the period-end rate.

Revenue represents the value of goods and services supplied to 
third parties during the year. Revenue is measured at the fair value 
of consideration received or receivable, and excludes any applicable 
sales tax.

A sale is recognised when the significant risks and rewards of 
ownership have passed. This is generally when title and any 
insurance risk has passed to the customer, and the goods have 
been delivered to a contractually agreed location or when any 
services have been provided.

Revenue from mining activities is recorded at the invoiced amounts 
with an adjustment for provisional pricing at each reporting date, as 
explained below. For copper and molybdenum concentrates, which 
are sold to smelters and roasting plants for further processing, the 
invoiced amount is the market value of the metal payable by the 
customer, net of deductions for tolling charges. Revenue includes 
amounts from the sale of by-products.

Copper and molybdenum concentrate sale agreements and copper 
cathode sale agreements generally provide for provisional pricing 
of sales at the time of shipment, with final pricing based on the 
monthly average London Metal Exchange (“LME”) copper price or 
the monthly average market molybdenum price for specified future 
periods. This normally ranges from one to five months after delivery 
to the customer. Such a provisional sale contains an embedded 
derivative which is required to be separated from the host contract. 
The host contract is the sale of metals contained in the concentrate 
or cathode at the provisional invoice price less tolling charges 
deducted, and the embedded derivative is the forward contract for 
which the provisional sale is subsequently adjusted. At each reporting 
date, the provisionally priced metal sales together with any related 
tolling charges are marked-to-market, with adjustments (both gains 
and losses) being recorded in revenue in the consolidated income 
statement and in trade debtors in the balance sheet. Forward prices 
at the period end are used for copper concentrate and cathode 
sales, while period-end average prices are used for molybdenum 
concentrate sales due to the absence of a futures market.

Interest income is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the 
principal outstanding and the effective interest rate applicable, 
which is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash 
receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to that 
asset’s net carrying amount.

Dividend income from available-for-sale investments and associates 
is recognised when the shareholders’ right to receive payment has 
been established.

128  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statementsg) Business combinations and goodwill

Acquisitions of businesses are accounted for using the acquisition 
method. The consideration transferred in a business combination 
is measured at fair value, which is calculated as the sum of the 
acquisition-date fair values of the assets transferred by the Group, 
liabilities incurred by the Group to the former owners of the acquiree 
and the equity interests issued by the Group in exchange for control 
of the acquiree. The results of businesses acquired during the year 
are brought into the consolidated financial statements from the 
effective date of acquisition. The identifiable assets, liabilities 
and contingent liabilities of a business which can be measured reliably 
are recorded at their provisional fair values at the date of acquisition. 
Provisional fair values are finalised within 12 months of the acquisition 
date. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred.

When the consideration transferred by the Group in a business 
combination includes assets or liabilities resulting from a contingent 
consideration arrangement, the contingent consideration is 
measured at its acquisition-date fair value and included as part of the 
consideration transferred in a business combination. Changes in the 
fair value of the contingent consideration that qualify as measurement 
period adjustments are adjusted retrospectively, with corresponding 
adjustments against goodwill. Measurement period adjustments are 
adjustments that arise from additional information obtained during 
the “measurement period” (which cannot exceed one year from the 
acquisition date) about facts and circumstances that existed at the 
acquisition date.

The subsequent accounting for changes in the fair value of the 
contingent consideration that do not qualify as “measurement 
period” adjustments depends on how the contingent consideration 
is classified. Contingent consideration that is classified as equity is 
not remeasured at subsequent reporting dates and its subsequent 
settlement is accounted for within equity. Contingent consideration 
that is classified as an asset or a liability is remeasured at subsequent 
reporting dates in accordance with IAS 39, or IAS 37 Provisions, 
Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets, as appropriate.

When a business combination is achieved in stages, the Group’s 
previously held equity interest in the acquiree is remeasured to fair 
value at the acquisition date (ie the date when the Group obtains 
control) and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is recognised in profit 
or loss. Amounts arising from interests in the acquiree prior to 
the acquisition date that have previously been recognised in other 
comprehensive income are reclassified to profit or loss where such 
treatment would be appropriate if that interest were disposed of.

If the initial accounting for a business combination is incomplete 
by the end of the reporting period in which the combination occurs, 
the Group reports provisional amounts for the items for which the 
accounting is incomplete. Those provisional amounts are adjusted 
during the measurement period (see above), or additional assets or 
liabilities are recognised, to reflect new information obtained about 
facts and circumstances that existed at the acquisition date that, if 
known, would have affected the amounts recognised at that date.

Goodwill arising in a business combination is measured as the 
excess of the sum of the consideration transferred, the amount 
of any non-controlling interest in the acquiree and the fair value of 
the acquirer’s previously held equity interest in the acquiree (if any) 
over the next identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. 
Any goodwill on the acquisition of subsidiaries is separately disclosed, 
while any goodwill on the acquisition of associates is included 
within investments in equity accounted entities. Internally generated 
goodwill is not recognised. Where the fair values of the identifiable 
net assets acquired exceed the sum of the consideration transferred, 
the surplus is credited to the profit or loss in the period of acquisition 
as a bargain purchase gain.

The Group often enters into earn-in arrangements whereby the 
Group acquires an interest in a project company in exchange for 
funding exploration and evaluation expenditure up to a specified 
level of expenditure or a specified stage in the life of the project. 
Funding is usually conditional on the achievement of key milestones 
by the partner. Typically there is no consideration transferred or 
funding liability on the effective date of acquisition of the interest in 
the project company and no goodwill is recognised on this type of 
business combination.

The results of businesses sold during the year are included in the 
consolidated financial statements for the period up to the effective 
date of disposal. Gains or losses on disposal are calculated as the 
difference between the sales´ proceeds (net of expenses) and the 
net assets attributable to the interest which has been sold. Where a 
disposal represents a separate major line of business or geographical 
area of operations, the net results attributable to the disposed entity 
are shown separately in the income statement.

h) Exploration and evaluation expenditure

Exploration and evaluation costs, other than those incurred in 
acquiring exploration licences, are expensed in the year in which 
they are incurred. When a mining project is considered to be 
commercially viable (normally when the project has completed a 
pre-feasibility study, and the start of a feasibility study has been 
approved) all further directly attributable pre-production expenditure 
is capitalised. Capitalisation of pre-production expenditure ceases 
when commercial levels of production are achieved. 

Costs incurred in acquiring exploration licences are accounted for 
as mining properties included in property, plant and equipment in 
accordance with the policy in Note 2(k) and are stated at cost less 
accumulated amortisation.

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k) Property, plant and equipment

i) Stripping costs

Pre-stripping and operational stripping costs are incurred in the course 
of the development and operation of open-pit mining operations.

Pre-stripping costs relate to the removal of waste material as part of 
the initial development of an open-pit, in order to allow access to the 
ore body. These costs are capitalised within mining properties within 
property, plant and equipment. The capitalised costs are depreciated 
once production commences on a unit of production basis, 
in proportion to the volume of ore extracted in the year compared 
with total proven and probable reserves for that pit at the beginning 
of the year.

Operational stripping costs relate to the costs of extracting waste 
material as part of the ongoing mining process. The ongoing 
mining and development of the Group’s open-pit mines is generally 
performed via a succession of individual phases. The costs of 
extracting material from an open-pit mine are generally allocated 
between ore and waste stripping in proportion to the tonnes of 
material extracted. The waste stripping costs are generally absorbed 
into inventory and expensed as that inventory is processed and sold. 
Where the stripping costs relate to a significant stripping campaign 
which is expected to provide improved access to an identifiable 
component of the ore body (typically an individual phase within the 
overall mine plan), the costs of removing waste in order to improve 
access to that part of the ore body will be capitalised within mining 
properties within property, plant and equipment. The capitalised costs 
will then be amortised on a unit of production basis, in proportion to 
the volume of ore extracted compared with the total ore contained 
in the component of the pit to which the stripping campaign relates.

j) Intangible assets

Intangible assets with finite useful lives that are acquired separately 
are carried at cost less accumulated amortisation and accumulated 
impairment losses. Intangible assets include the cost of acquiring 
exploration licences. Amortisation is recognised on a straight-line 
basis over their estimated useful lives. The estimated useful life 
and amortisation method are reviewed at the end of each reporting 
period, with the effect of any changes in estimate being accounted 
for on a prospective basis. Intangible assets with indefinite useful 
lives that are acquired separately are carried at cost less accumulated 
impairment losses.

Intangible assets acquired in a business combination and recognised 
separately from goodwill are initially recognised at their fair value at 
the acquisition date (which is regarded as their cost).

Subsequent to initial recognition, intangible assets acquired in 
a business combination are reported at cost less accumulated 
amortisation and accumulated impairment losses, on the same 
basis as intangible assets that are acquired separately.

An intangible asset is derecognised on disposal, or when no future 
economic benefits are expected from use or disposal. Gains or 
losses arising from derecognition of an intangible asset, measured 
as the difference between the net disposal proceeds and the carrying 
amount of the asset, are recognised in profit or loss when the asset 
is derecognised.

The costs of mining properties and leases, which include the costs 
of acquiring and developing mining properties and mineral rights, are 
capitalised as property, plant and equipment in the year in which they 
are incurred, when a mining project is considered to be commercially 
viable (normally when the project has completed a pre-feasibility 
study, and the start of a feasibility study has been approved). The cost 
of property, plant and equipment comprises the purchase price and 
any costs directly attributable to bringing the asset to the location and 
condition necessary for it to be capable of operating in the manner 
intended. Once a project has been established as commercially 
viable, related development expenditure is capitalised. This includes 
costs incurred in preparing the site for mining operations, including 
pre-stripping costs. Capitalisation ceases when the mine is capable 
of commercial production, with the exception of development costs 
which give rise to a future benefit.

Interest on borrowings related to construction or development of 
projects is capitalised, until such time as the assets are substantially 
ready for their intended use or sale which, in the case of mining 
properties, is when they are capable of commercial production.

l) Depreciation of property, plant and equipment and 
amortisation of intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment is depreciated over its useful life, 
or over the remaining life of the operation if shorter, to residual 
value. The major categories of property, plant and equipment are 
depreciated as follows:

(i)  Land – freehold land is not depreciated unless the value of 

the land is considered to relate directly to a particular mining 
operation, in which case the land is depreciated on a straight-
line basis over the expected mine life. Any leasehold land is 
depreciated on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease.

(ii)  Mining properties – mining properties, including capitalised 
financing costs, are depreciated on a unit of production 
basis, in proportion to the volume of ore extracted in the year 
compared with total proven and probable reserves at the 
beginning of the year.

(iii)  Buildings and infrastructure – straight-line basis over 10 

to 25 years.

(iv)  Railway track (including trackside equipment) – straight-line 

basis over 20 to 25 years.

(v)  Wagons and rolling stock – straight-line basis over 10 to 

20 years.

(vi)  Machinery, equipment and other assets – are depreciated 
on a unit of production basis, in proportion to the volume of  
ore/material processed or straight-line basis over 5 to 20 years.

(vii)  Assets under construction – no depreciation until asset is 

available for use.

(viii) Assets held under finance lease – are depreciated over the 

shorter of the lease term and their useful life.

Residual values and useful lives are reviewed, and adjusted if 
appropriate, at least annually, and changes to residual values and 
useful lives are accounted for prospectively.

The concession right is amortised on a straight-line basis over the life 
of the concession, or the useful life of any component part if less.

130  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statementsm) Impairment of property, plant and equipment 
and intangible assets (excluding goodwill)

Property, plant and equipment and finite life intangible assets are 
reviewed for impairment if there is any indication that the carrying 
amount may not be recoverable. If any such indication exists, the 
recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine 
the extent of the impairment (if any). Where the asset does not 
generate cash flows that are independent from other assets, the 
Group estimates the recoverable amount of the cash-generating unit 
to which the asset belongs. Any intangible asset with an indefinite 
useful life is tested for impairment annually and whenever there is 
an indication that the asset may be impaired. 

Recoverable amount is the higher of fair value less costs of disposal 
and value in use. Fair value less costs of disposal reflects the net 
amount the Group would receive from the sale of the asset in an 
orderly transaction between market participants. For mining assets 
this would generally be determined based on the present value of 
the estimated future cash flows arising from the continued use, 
further development or eventual disposal of the asset. The estimates 
used in determining the present value of those cash flows are those 
that an independent market participant would consider appropriate. 
Value in use reflects the present value of the future cash flows which 
the Group would expect to derive from continued use of the asset 
in its current condition, discounted using a pre-tax discount rate that 
reflects current market assessments of the time value of money 
and the risks specific to the asset for which estimates of future 
cash flows have not been adjusted. 

If the recoverable amount of an asset or cash-generating unit 
is estimated to be less than its carrying amount, the carrying 
amount is reduced to the recoverable amount. An impairment 
charge is recognised in the income statement immediately. 
Where an impairment subsequently reverses, the carrying amount 
is increased to the revised estimate of recoverable amount, but so 
that the increased carrying amount does not exceed the carrying 
value that would have been determined if no impairment had 
previously been recognised. A reversal is recognised in the income 
statement immediately.

n) Investment property

Investment property is property held to earn rentals and/or for capital 
appreciation and includes land held for a currently undetermined 
future use. The Group has elected to adopt the cost model in IAS 40  
“Investment Property”. Accordingly, investment property is measured 
initially at cost, which includes transaction costs for the acquisition of 
the property and, as detailed in Note 2(l) relating to property, plant and 
equipment, is not depreciated.

o) Inventory

Inventory consists of raw materials and consumables, work-in-
progress and finished goods. Work-in-progress represents material 
that is in the process of being converted into finished goods. 
The conversion process for mining operations depends on the nature 
of the copper ore. For sulphide ores, processing includes milling and 
concentrating and results in the production of copper concentrate. 
For oxide ores, processing includes leaching of stockpiles, solution 
extraction and electrowinning and results in the production of copper 
cathodes. Finished goods consist of copper concentrate containing 
gold and silver at Los Pelambres and Centinela and copper cathodes 
at Centinela, Antucoya and Michilla. Los Pelambres also produces 
molybdenum as a by-product.

Inventory is valued at the lower of cost, on a weighted average basis, 
and net realisable value. Net realisable value represents estimated 
selling price less all estimated costs of completion and costs to be 
incurred in marketing, selling and distribution. Cost of finished goods 
and work-in-progress is production cost and for raw materials and 
consumables it is purchase price. Production cost includes:

• labour costs, raw material costs and other costs directly attributable 

to the extraction and processing of ore;

• depreciation of plant, equipment and mining properties directly 

involved in the production process; and

• an appropriate portion of production overheads.

Stockpiles represent ore that is extracted and is available for further 
processing. Costs directly attributable to the extraction of ore are 
generally allocated as part of production cost in proportion to the 
tonnes of material extracted. Operational stripping costs are generally 
absorbed into inventory, and therefore expensed as that inventory 
is processed and sold. If ore will not be processed within 12 months 
of the statement of financial position date, it is included within 
non-current assets. If there is significant uncertainty as to when 
any stockpiled ore will be processed, it is expensed as incurred.

p) Taxation

Tax expense comprises the charges or credits for the year relating 
to both current and deferred tax.

Current tax is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit may 
differ from net profit as reported in the income statement because it 
excludes items of income or expense that are taxable and deductible 
in different years and also excludes items that are not taxable or 
deductible. The liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates 
for each entity in the consolidated financial statements which have 
been enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable 
on temporary differences (ie differences between the carrying 
amount of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the 
corresponding tax basis used in the computation of taxable profit). 
Deferred tax is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method 
and is provided on all temporary differences with certain limited 
exceptions as follows:

(i) 

tax payable on undistributed earnings of subsidiaries, associates 
and joint ventures is provided except where the Group is able to 
control the remittance of profits and it is probable that there will 
be no remittance of past profits earned in the foreseeable future;

(ii)  deferred tax is not provided on the initial recognition of an 

asset or liability in a transaction that does not affect accounting 
profit or taxable profit and is not a business combination; nor is 
deferred tax provided on subsequent changes in the carrying 
value of such assets and liabilities, for example where they are 
depreciated; and

(iii)  the initial recognition of any goodwill.

Deferred tax assets are recognised only to the extent that it is 
probable that they will be recovered through sufficient future taxable 
profit. The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each 
balance sheet date.

Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply 
in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised. 
Deferred tax is charged or credited in the income statement, 
except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, 
in which case the deferred tax is also taken directly to equity.

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q) Provisions

Provisions are recognised when the Group has a present obligation 
(legal or constructive) as a result of a past event, it is probable that the 
Group will be required to settle the obligation, and a reliable estimate 
can be made of the amount of the obligation.

The amount recognised as a provision is the best estimate of the 
consideration required to settle the present obligation at the end of 
the reporting period, taking into account the risks and uncertainties 
surrounding the obligation. When a provision is measured using the 
cash flows estimated to settle the present obligation, its carrying 
amount is the present value of those cash flows (when the effect 
of the time value of money is material).

When some or all of the economic benefits required to settle 
a provision are expected to be recovered from a third party, 
a receivable is recognised as an asset if it is virtually certain that 
reimbursement will be received and the amount of the receivable 
can be measured reliably.

the projected unit credit method, which are regularly updated. 
The obligation recognised in the balance sheet represents the present 
value of the severance indemnity obligation. Actuarial gains and 
losses are immediately recognised in other comprehensive income.

u) Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash on hand, deposits held on 
call with banks, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible 
into known amounts of cash and which are subject to insignificant 
risk of changes in value, net of bank overdrafts which are repayable 
on demand. Cash and cash equivalents normally have a maturity 
period of 90 days or less.

v) Liquid investments

Liquid investments represent highly liquid current asset investments 
that do not meet the IAS 7 definition of cash and cash equivalents, 
normally because even if readily accessible, the underlying 
investments have an average maturity profile greater than 90 days 
from the date first entered into. These assets are designated as fair 
value through profit or loss.

r) Provisions for decommissioning and restoration costs

w) Leases

An obligation to incur decommissioning and restoration costs occurs 
when environmental disturbance is caused by the development or 
ongoing production of a mining property. Costs are estimated on the 
basis of a formal closure plan and are subject to regular formal review.

Such costs arising from the installation of plant and other site 
preparation work, discounted to their net present value, are provided 
and capitalised at the start of each project, as soon as the obligation 
to incur such costs arises. These decommissioning costs are charged 
against profits over the life of the mine, through depreciation of the 
asset and unwinding or amortisation of the discount on the provision. 
Depreciation is included in operating costs while the unwinding of the 
discount is included as financing costs. Changes in the measurement 
of a liability relating to the decommissioning of plant or other site 
preparation work are added to, or deducted from, the cost of the 
related asset in the current year.

The costs for restoration of site damage, which is created on an 
ongoing basis during production, are provided for at their net present 
values and charged against operating profits as extraction progresses. 
Changes in the measurement of a liability relating to site damage 
created during production is charged against operating profit.

s) Share-based payments

For cash-settled share-based payments, a liability is recognised for 
the goods or services acquired, measured initially at the fair value 
of the liability. At the end of each reporting period until the liability 
is settled, and at the date of settlement, the fair value of the liability 
is remeasured, with any changes in fair value recognised in profit 
or loss for the year. The Group currently does not have any equity 
share-based payments to employees or third parties.

t) Post-employment benefits

The Group operates defined contribution schemes for a limited 
number of employees. For such schemes, the amount charged to 
the income statement is the contributions paid or payable in the year.

Employment terms may also provide for payment of a severance 
indemnity when an employment contract comes to an end. This is 
typically at the rate of one month for each year of service (subject in 
most cases to a cap as to the number of qualifying years of service) 
and based on final salary level. The severance indemnity obligation 
is treated as an unfunded defined benefit plan, and the calculation 
is based on valuations performed by an independent actuary using 

Rental costs under operating leases are charged to the income 
statement account in equal annual amounts over the term of 
the lease.

Assets under finance leases are recognised as assets of the Group at 
inception of the lease at the lower of fair value or the present value of 
the minimum lease payments derived by discounting at the interest 
rate implicit in the lease. The interest element is charged within 
financing costs so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest 
on the remaining balance of the liability.

x) Other financial instruments

Financial assets and financial liabilities are recognised on the Group’s 
balance sheet when the Group becomes a party to the contractual 
provisions of the instrument.

(i) 

Investments – Investments which are not subsidiaries, 
associates or joint ventures are initially measured at cost, 
including transaction costs.

Investments are classified as either held for trading or available-
for-sale, and are normally measured at subsequent reporting 
dates at fair value. Fair value is determined in the manner 
described in Note 26(b). Investments in equity instruments 
that do not have a quoted market price in an active market and 
whose fair value cannot be reliably measured are measured at 
cost. Securities are classified as “held-for-trading” when they are 
acquired principally for the purpose of sale in the short term, and 
gains and losses arising from changes in fair value are included in 
profit or loss for the period. Other investments are classified as 
“available-for-sale”, and gains and losses arising from changes in 
fair value are recognised directly in equity, within the “Fair value 
reserve”, until the security is disposed of or is determined to be 
impaired, at which time the cumulative gain or loss previously 
recognised in equity is included in profit or loss for the period. 
Dividends on available-for-sale and held-for-trading equity 
investments are recognised in the income statement when 
the right to receive payment is established.

(ii)  Trade and other receivables – Trade and other receivables do 
not generally carry any interest and are normally stated at their 
nominal value less any impairment. Impairment losses on trade 
receivables are recognised within an allowance account unless 
the Group considers that no recovery of the amount is possible, 
in which case the carrying value of the asset is reduced directly.

132  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statements 
(iii)  Trade and other payables – Trade and other payables are 

(vii)  Impairment of financial assets – Financial assets, other 

generally not interest-bearing and are normally stated at their 
nominal value.

(iv)  Borrowings (loans and preference shares) – Interest-bearing 
loans and bank overdrafts are initially recorded at the proceeds 
received, net of direct issue costs. They are subsequently 
measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method, 
with interest expense recognised on an effective yield basis. 
The effective interest method is a method of calculating the 
amortised cost of a financial liability and of allocating interest 
expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is 
the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments 
through the expected life of the financial liability, or, where 
appropriate, a shorter period. Finance charges, including 
premiums payable on settlement or redemption and direct issue 
costs, are accounted for on an accruals basis using the effective 
interest rate method. Amounts are either recorded as financing 
costs in profit or loss or capitalised in accordance with the 
accounting policy set out in Note 2(k). Finance charges are added 
to the carrying amount of the instrument to the extent that they 
are not settled in the period in which they arise. 

The sterling-denominated preference shares issued by 
the Company carry a fixed rate of return without the right to 
participate in any surplus. They are accordingly classified within 
borrowings and translated into US dollars at period-end rates 
of exchange. Preference share dividends are included within 
finance costs.

(v)  Equity instruments – Equity instruments issued are 
recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue 
costs. Equity instruments of the Company comprise its 
sterling-denominated issued ordinary share capital and related 
share premium. As explained in Note 2(e), the presentational 
currency of the Group and the functional currency of the 
Company is US dollars, and ordinary share capital and share 
premium are translated into US dollars at historical rates 
of exchange based on dates of issue.

(vi)  Derivative financial instruments – As explained in Note 26(d), 
the Group uses derivative financial instruments to reduce 
exposure to foreign exchange, interest rate and commodity 
price movements. The Group does not use such derivative 
instruments for trading purposes. The Group has applied the 
hedge accounting provisions of IAS 39 “Financial Instruments: 
Recognition and Measurement”. The effective portion of 
changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments 
that are designated and qualify as hedges of future cash flows 
have been recognised directly in equity, with such amounts 
subsequently recognised in profit or loss in the period when 
the hedged item affects profit or loss. Any ineffective portion 
is recognised immediately in profit or loss. Realised gains 
and losses on commodity derivatives recognised in profit 
or loss are recorded within revenue. The time value element 
of changes in the fair value of derivative options is excluded 
from the designated hedging relationship, and is therefore 
recognised directly in profit or loss within other finance items. 
Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments or other 
host contracts are treated as separate derivatives when their 
risks and characteristics are not closely related to those of 
host contracts and the host contracts are not carried at fair 
value. Changes in fair value are reported in profit or loss for 
the year. The treatment of embedded derivatives arising from 
provisionally-priced commodity sales contracts is set out 
in further detail in Note 2(f) relating to revenue.

than those at fair value through profit or loss, are assessed 
for indicators of impairment at each balance sheet date. 
Financial assets are impaired where there is objective evidence 
that as a result of one or more events that occurred after the 
initial recognition of the financial asset the estimated future 
cash flows of the investment have been impacted. For loans 
and receivables, the amount of the impairment is the difference 
between the asset’s carrying value and the present value of 
estimated future cash flows, discounted at the original effective 
interest rate. Any impairment loss is recognised in profit or 
loss immediately.

The carrying amount of the financial asset is reduced by the 
impairment loss directly for all financial assets with the exception 
of trade receivables.

  With the exception of available-for-sale equity instruments, if, in a 
subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss decreases 
and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring 
after the impairment was recognised, the previously recognised 
impairment loss is reversed through profit or loss immediately to 
the extent that the carrying amount of the investment at the date 
the impairment is reversed does not exceed what the amortised 
cost would have been had the impairment not been recognised. 
In respect of available-for-sale equity instruments, any increase in 
fair value subsequent to an impairment loss is recognised directly 
in equity.

y) Rounding 

All amounts disclosed in the financial statements and notes have 
been rounded off to the nearest one hundred thousand dollars unless 
otherwise stated.

These policies have been consistently applied to all the years 
presented, unless otherwise stated. 

3 Critical accounting judgements and 
key sources of estimation uncertainty

Determining many of the amounts included in the financial 
statements involves the use of judgement and/or estimation. 
These judgements and estimates are based on management’s 
best knowledge of the relevant facts and circumstances having 
regard to prior experience, but actual results may differ from the 
amounts included in the financial statements. Information about 
such judgements and estimates is included in the principal 
accounting policies in Note 2 or the other notes to the financial 
statements, and the key areas are set out below.

a) Capitalisation of property, plant and equipment 
and of project costs

As explained in Note 2(k), the costs of developing mining properties 
are capitalised as property, plant and equipment in the year in which 
they are incurred, when the mining project is considered to be 
commercially viable. Management reviews amounts capitalised to 
ensure that the treatment of that expenditure as capital rather than 
operating expenditure is reasonable, in particular in respect of the 
commercial viability of the project. Commercial viability is normally 
considered to be demonstrable when the project has completed 
a pre-feasibility study, and the start of a feasibility study has 
been approved.

Antofagasta plc  133

GOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT 
 
3 Critical accounting judgements and key 
sources of estimation uncertainty continued

b) Useful economic lives of property, plant and equipment 
and ore reserves estimates

As explained in Note 2(l), mining properties, including capitalised 
financing costs, are depreciated in proportion to the volume of 
ore extracted in the year compared with total proven and probable 
reserves at the beginning of the year.

There are numerous uncertainties inherent in estimating ore reserves, 
and assumptions that were valid at the time of estimation may 
change when new information becomes available. These include 
assumptions as to grade estimates and cut-off grades, recovery rates, 
commodity prices, exchange rates, production costs, capital costs, 
processing and reclamation costs and discount rates. The actual 
volume of ore extracted and any changes in these assumptions 
could affect prospective depreciation rates and carrying values.

The majority of other items of property, plant and equipment are 
depreciated on a straight-line basis over their useful economic lives. 
Management reviews the appropriateness of useful economic lives 
at least annually and, again, any changes could affect prospective 
depreciation rates and asset carrying values.

c) Impairment of assets

As explained in Note 2(m), the Group reviews the carrying value of 
its intangible assets and property, plant and equipment to determine 
whether there is any indication that those assets are impaired. 
In making assessments for impairment, assets that do not generate 
independent cash flows are allocated to an appropriate cash-
generating unit (“CGU”). The recoverable amount of those assets, 
or CGU, is measured at the higher of their fair value less costs to sell 
and value in use. Details of the impairment reviews undertaken as at 
31 December 2015 are set out in Note 15.

Management necessarily applies its judgement in allocating 
assets to CGUs, in estimating the probability, timing and value 
of underlying cash flows and in selecting appropriate discount 
rates to be applied within the fair value less cost to dispose 
calculation. The key assumptions are set out in Note 2(m) and 
Note 15. Subsequent changes to CGU allocation, licensing status, 
reserves and resources, price assumptions or other estimates and 
assumptions in the fair value less cost to dispose calculation could 
impact the carrying value of the respective assets.

d) Provisions for decommissioning and site restoration costs

As explained in Note 2(r), provision is made, based on net present 
values, for decommissioning and site rehabilitation costs as soon as 
the obligation arises following the development or ongoing production 
of a mining property. The provision is based on a closure plan 
prepared with the assistance of external consultants.

Management uses its judgement and experience to provide for 
and (in the case of capitalised decommissioning costs) amortise 
these estimated costs over the life of the mine. The ultimate cost 
of decommissioning and site rehabilitation is uncertain and cost 
estimates can vary in response to many factors including changes 
to relevant legal requirements, the emergence of new restoration 
techniques or experience at other mine sites.

The expected timing and extent of expenditure can also change, for 
example in response to changes in ore reserves or processing levels. 
As a result, there could be significant adjustments to the provisions 
established which would affect future financial results.

134  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

e) Deferred taxation

As explained in Note 2(p), deferred tax is not provided for future tax 
payable on undistributed earnings where the Group is able to control 
the remittance of profits and it is probable that there will be no 
remittance of past profits earned in the foreseeable future.

Management uses its judgement in estimating the probability 
of such remittances. These are based on Group forecasts and 
include assumptions as to future profits and cash flows (which 
depend on several factors including commodity prices, operating 
costs, production levels, capital expenditures, interest costs, debt 
repayment and tax rates) and cash requirements (which may also 
depend on several factors including future dividend levels). A change 
in the assumptions used or in the estimate as to the probability that 
past profits will be remitted would impact the deferred tax charge 
and balance sheet provision.

4 Segment information

The Group’s reportable segments are as follows:

• Los Pelambres

• Centinela

• Michilla

• Antucoya

• Zaldívar

• Exploration and evaluation

• Railway and other transport services

• Water concession

• Corporate and other items

For management purposes, the Group is organised into three 
business divisions based on their products – Mining, Railway and 
other transport services and the Water concession. The mining 
division is split further for management reporting purposes to 
show results by mine and exploration activity. Los Pelambres and 
Centinela are both operating mines, Michilla was placed on care 
and maintenance at the end of 2015, Antucoya is in its initial  
ramp-up stage and Zaldívar, in which the Group has acquired a 50% 
stake, was acquired in December 2015. Los Pelambres produces 
primarily copper concentrate and molybdenum as a by-product. 
Centinela produces primarily copper concentrate containing gold as 
a by-product and copper cathodes. Michilla, Antucoya and Zaldívar 
produce copper cathodes. The transport division provides rail 
cargo (based in Chile and formerly Bolivia) and road cargo (based 
in Chile) together with a number of ancillary services (based in 
Chile). The water division produced and distributed potable water to 
domestic customers and untreated water to industrial customers in 
Chile’s Antofagasta Region. The Exploration and evaluation segment 
incurs exploration and evaluation expenses. “Corporate and other 
items” comprises costs incurred by the Company, Antofagasta 
Minerals S.A., the Group’s mining corporate centre and other 
entities, that are not allocated to any individual business segment. 
Consistent with its internal management reporting, the Group’s 
corporate and other items are included within the mining division. 

Management monitors the operating results of business segments 
separately for the purpose of making decisions about resources to 
be allocated and of assessing performance. Segment performance 
is evaluated based on the operating profit of each of the segments.

Notes to the financial statementsa) Segment revenues and results

For the year ended 31 December 2015

Los 
Pelambres 
$m
1,807.2 
749.3 

Centinela 
$m
1,266.1 
238.4 

Michilla 
$m
168.9 
14.1 

Antucoya 
$m
– 
– 

Zaldívar 
$m
– 
– 

Exploration 
and
evaluation2
$m
– 
(101.9)

Corporate 
and other 
items 
$m

Mining 
$m
–  3,242.2 
832.3 

(67.6)

Railway 
and other 
transport 
services 
$m
152.4 
58.4 

Water 
concession 
$m

Total 
$m
–  3,394.6 
890.7 
– 

(191.6)
(2.7)

(367.6)
(1.8)

– 
1.3 

555.0 

(131.0)

15.4 

(3.7)
10.2 
(1.8)
(4.6)

– 
4.3 
(27.1)
(9.7)

– 
0.6 
– 
0.6 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
(3.4)

555.1 
(161.8)

(163.5)
49.6 

16.6 
(6.0)

(3.4)
(21.8)

– 
– 

– 

(2.8)
– 
– 
– 

(2.8)
– 

– 
– 

(3.1)
(4.4)

(562.3)
(7.6)

(13.8)
(2.6)

(101.9)

(75.1)

262.4 

42.0 

– 
– 
– 
– 

(7.5)
2.2 
(1.8)
(7.5)

(14.0)
17.3 
(30.7)
(24.6)

8.2 
0.8 
(3.0)
1.0 

(101.9)
– 

(89.7)
1.8 

210.4 
(138.2)

49.0 
(22.2)

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 

(576.1)
(10.2)

304.4 

(5.8)
18.1 
(33.7)
(23.6)

259.4 
(160.4)

393.3 

(113.9)

10.6 

(25.2)

(2.8)

(101.9)

(87.9)

72.2 

26.8 

– 

99.0 

– 
393.3 
(151.8)
241.5 

– 
(113.9)
46.5 
(67.4)

– 
10.6 
(0.2)
10.4 

– 
(25.2)
11.9 
(13.3)

– 
(2.8)
– 
(2.8)

– 
(101.9)
– 
(101.9)

– 
(87.9)
– 
(87.9)

– 
72.2 
(93.6)
(21.4)

(13.1)
13.7 
0.1 
13.8 

615.8 
615.8 
– 
615.8 

602.7 
701.7 
(93.5)
608.2 

188.3 

535.1 

– 

147.9 

3,753.3 

5,013.0 

122.7 

1,974.4 

– 

– 

33.5 
(1,205.9)

– 
(2,068.9)

– 
(46.0)

– 
(1,185.5)

998.9 
– 

– 

– 

– 
– 

111.0 

982.3 

13.9 

16.4 

1,012.6 

1,026.4  11,889.8 

500.7 

–  12,390.5 

31.0  1,063.4 
(4,657.9)

(151.6)

83.2 
(359.9)

– 
– 

1,146.6 
(5,017.8)

Revenue
EBITDA1
Depreciation and 
amortisation
(Loss)/gain on disposals
Operating  
profit/(loss)
Share of results 
from associates  
and joint ventures
Investment income
Interest expense
Other finance items
Profit/(loss)  
before tax
Tax
Profit/(loss) for the 
year from continuing 
operations

Profit for the year from 
discontinued operations
Profit/(loss) for the year
Non-controlling interests
Net earnings/(losses)
Additions to  
non-current assets
Capital expenditure
Segment assets 
and liabilities
Segment assets
Investment in associates 
and joint ventures 
Segment liabilities

1  EBITDA refers to Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation. EBITDA is calculated by adding back depreciation, amortisation, profit or loss on disposals and impairment charges 

to operating profit from subsidiaries and joint ventures.

2  During the year, operating cash outflow from exploration and evaluation was $38.3 million.

Antofagasta plc  135

GOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT4 Segment information continued

For the year ended 31 December 2014 (Restated)

Los 
Pelambres 
$m
2,663.6 
1,518.6 

Centinela 
$m
1,985.7 
767.2 

Michilla 
$m
335.4 
58.7 

Antucoya 
$m
– 
– 

Exploration 
and
evaluation2
$m
–
(167.5)

Corporate 
and other 
items 
$m
–
(99.2)

Railway and 
other 
transport 
services 
$m
160.9 
63.6 

Mining 
$m
4,984.7 
2,077.8 

Water 
concession 
$m
– 
– 

(178.3)
(2.5)

(301.5)
(1.3)

(87.3)
(0.4)

1,337.8 

464.4 

(29.0)

(1.3)
7.5 
(3.8)
(2.5)

– 
4.2 
(36.6)
2.9 

– 
0.7 
– 
(8.3)

1,337.7 
(441.7)

434.9 
(214.9)

(36.6)
1.3 

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
3.3 

3.3 
(9.7)

– 
– 

(2.6)
28.7 

(569.7)
24.5 

(12.0)
(0.6)

(167.5)

(73.1)

1,532.6 

51.0 

– 
– 
– 
– 

(9.3)
3.9 
(2.4)
(31.4)

(10.6)
16.3 
(42.8)
(36.0)

6.5 
0.5 
(1.6)
(0.3)

(167.5)
– 

(112.3)
25.0 

1,459.5 
(640.0)

56.1 
(62.3)

896.0 

220.0 

(35.3)

(6.4)

(167.5)

(87.3)

819.5 

(6.2)

– 
– 

– 

– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 

– 

– 
896.0 
(352.3)
543.7 

– 
220.0 
(56.1)
163.9 

– 
(35.3)
0.3 
(35.0)

– 
(6.4)
3.8 
(2.6)

– 
(167.5)
– 
(167.5)

– 
(87.3)
12.3 
(75.0)

– 
819.5 
(392.0)
427.5 

(6.3)
(12.5)
1.1 
(11.4)

43.7 
43.7 
– 
43.7 

Total 
$m
5,145.6 
2,141.4 

(581.7)
23.9 

1,583.6 

(4.1)
16.8 
(44.4)
(36.3)

1,515.6 
(702.3)

813.3 

37.4 
850.7 
(390.9)
459.8 

229.6 

535.6 

11.1 

707.1 

3,671.9 

– 
5,152.9 

181.9 

1,619.8 

8.3 
(1,255.2)

– 
(2,014.6)

– 
(114.6)

– 
(994.7)

– 

– 

– 
– 

51.4 

1,534.8 

21.2 

25.0 

1,581.0 

1,455.2 

12,081.7 

322.9 

212.4 

12,617.0 

102.7 
(138.2)

111.0 
(4,517.3)

87.1 
(212.1)

– 
(51.0)

198.1 
(4,780.4)

Revenue
EBITDA1
Depreciation and 
amortisation
(Loss)/gain on disposals
Operating  
profit/(loss)
Share of results  
from associates  
and joint ventures
Investment income
Interest expense
Other finance items
Profit/(loss)  
before tax
Tax
Profit/(loss) for the 
year from continuing 
operations
Profit for the year from 
discontinued operations
Profit/(loss) for the year
Non-controlling interests
Net earnings/(losses)
Additions to 
non-current assets
Capital expenditure
Segment assets  
and liabilities
Segment assets
Investment in associates 
and joint ventures 
Segment liabilities

1  EBITDA refers to Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation. EBITDA is calculated by adding back depreciation, amortisation, profit or loss on disposals and impairment charges 

to operating profit from subsidiaries and joint ventures.

2  During the year, operating cash outflow from exploration and evaluation was $60.2 million.

136  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statements 
Notes to segment revenues and results
(i)  The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as the Group’s accounting policies. Operating profit excludes the share 

of net loss from associates and joint venture of $5.8 million (year ended 31 December 2014 – net loss of $4.1 million). 

(ii) 

Inter-segment revenues are eliminated on consolidation. Revenue from the Railway and other transport services is stated after 
eliminating inter-segmental sales to the mining division of $1.6 million (year ended 31 December 2014 – $0.4 million). Revenue from 
the Water concession is stated after eliminating inter-segmental sales to the mining division of $2.0 million (year ended 31 December 
2014 – $7.3 million) and after eliminating sales to the Railway and other transport services of $0.1 million (year ended 31 December 2014 
– $0.2 million). 

(iii)  Revenue includes the effect of both final pricing and mark-to-market adjustments to provisionally priced sales of copper and molybdenum 

concentrates and copper cathodes. Further details of such adjustments are given in Note 5.

(iv)  Revenue includes a realised gain at Michilla of nil (year ended 31 December 2014 – gain of $18.3 million) and a realised loss at Centinela 
of $0.1 million (year ended 31 December 2014 – gain of $0.1 million) relating to commodity derivatives. Further details of such gains 
or losses are given in Note 26(d).

(v)  The copper and molybdenum concentrate sales are stated net of deductions for tolling charges. Tolling charges for copper and 

molybdenum concentrates are detailed in Note 5.

(vi)  The effects of tax and non-controlling interests on the expenses within the Exploration and evaluation segment are allocated to the mine 

that the exploration work relates to.

(vii)  The assets of the Railway and transport services segment includes $75.1 million (year ended 31 December 2014 – $78.3 million) relating 
to the Group’s 40% interest in Inversiones Hornitos S.A. (“Inversiones Hornitos”), which owns the 165MW Hornitos thermoelectric 
power plant in Mejillones in Chile’s Antofagasta Region and $8.1 million (year ended 31 December 2014 – $8.8 million) relating to the 
Group’s 30% interest in Antofagasta Terminal International S.A. (“ATI”), which operates a concession to manage installations in the port of 
Antofagasta. The assets of the Corporate and other items segment includes $23.8 million (year ended 31 December 2014 – $24.5 million) 
relating to the Group´s 30% interest in Parque Eólico El Arrayán S.A., an energy company which operates a wind farm in Chile, and 
$10.2 million (year ended 31 December 2014 – $11.2 million) relating to the Group´s 50.1% interest in the Energía Andina joint venture. 
The assets of Los Pelambres includes $33.0 million (year ended 31 December 2014 – $8.3 million) relating to the Group´s 40% interest 
in Alto Maipo SpA, which is constructing a hydroelectric project in Chile. Further details of these investments are set out in Note 17.

(viii) As explained in Note 17, during 2014 the Group held a 40% interest in Twin Metals Minnesota Limited (“Twin Metals”), which until July 

2014 was accounted for as a subsidiary as the Group exercised control over the company. In July 2014, the Group lost its ability to control 
Twin Metals and accordingly the company ceased to be a subsidiary of the Group, and was accounted for as an associate from that 
point. This disposal of the investment in a subsidiary and the recognition of an interest in an associate at fair value resulted in a gain of 
$28.6 million in 2014 (shown above within “Gains on disposals” within the “Corporate and other items” segment). An impairment charge 
of $26.3 million was recognised in 2014, in respect of Duluth Metals Limited (“Duluth”) shares as set out in Note 8. In January 2015, the 
Group completed its acquisition of 100% of Duluth, the company which held the remaining 60% of Twin Metals. This has resulted in the 
Group consolidating 100% of the assets and liabilities relating to Twin Metals with effect from January 2015.

b) Entity-wide disclosures

Revenue by product

Copper
 – Los Pelambres
 – Centinela Concentrate
 – Centinela Cathodes
 – Michilla
Molybdenum
 – Los Pelambres
Gold
 – Los Pelambres
 – Centinela 
Silver
 – Los Pelambres
 – Centinela
Total Mining
Railway and transport services

2015 
$m

2014 
(Restated) 
$m

1,606.7
626.6
432.3
168.9

2,348.6
1,073.8
631.9
335.4

105.3 

182.8 

60.7 
191.3 

34.5 
15.9 
3,242.2 
152.4 
3,394.6 

80.5 
256.3 

51.7 
23.7 
4,984.7 
160.9 
5,145.6

Antofagasta plc  137

GOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT4 Segment information continued

Revenue by location of customer

Europe
 – United Kingdom
 – Switzerland
 – Spain
 – Germany
 – Rest of Europe
Latin America
 – Chile
 – Rest of Latin America
North America
 – United States
Asia
 – Japan
 – China
 – Rest of Asia

2015
$m

19.1 
175.2 
54.1 
167.0 
70.6 

167.0 
74.1 

2014
(Restated)
$m

8.2 
138.5 
160.6 
146.1 
137.7 

215.3 
161.0 

107.3 

133.7 

1,147.0 
782.4 
630.8 
3,394.6 

1,965.4 
1,253.1 
826.0 
5,145.6

Information about major customers
In the year ended 31 December 2015, the Group’s mining revenues included $426.0 million related to one large customer that individually 
accounted for more than 10% of the Group’s revenues (year ended 31 December 2014 – one large customer representing $804.3 million).

Non-current assets by location of assets

Chile
Bolivia
USA
Other

2015 
$m
10,284.6 
– 
171.2 
0.8 
10,456.6 

2014 
$m
8,934.8 
30.9 
67.4 
0.6 
9,033.7 

The above non-current assets disclosed by location of assets exclude available-for-sale investments and deferred tax assets.

138  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statements5 Revenues

An analysis of the Group’s total revenue is as follows:

Sales of goods
Rendering of services
Group revenue
Other operating income (included within net operating costs)
Investment income
Total revenue

2015 
$m
3,265.9 
 128.7 
 3,394.6 
37.6 
18.1 
 3,450.3 

2014 
(Restated) 
$m
5,005.2 
 140.4 
 5,145.6 
20.8 
16.8 
 5,183.2

Copper and molybdenum concentrate sale agreements and copper cathode sale agreements generally provide for provisional pricing of sales 
at the time of shipment, with final pricing being based on the monthly average London Metal Exchange copper price or monthly average 
molybdenum price for specified future periods. This normally ranges from one to five months after shipment to the customer. The provisional 
pricing mechanism within the sale agreements is an embedded derivative under IFRS. Gains and losses from the marking-to-market of 
open sales are recognised through adjustments to revenue in the income statement and to trade debtors in the balance sheet. The Group 
determines mark-to-market prices using forward prices at each period end for copper concentrate and cathode sales, and period-end month 
average prices for molybdenum concentrate sales due to the absence of a futures market in the market price references for that commodity 
in the majority of the Group’s contracts.

In addition to mark-to-market and final pricing adjustments, revenue also includes realised gains and losses relating to derivative commodity 
instruments. Details of these realised gains or losses are shown in the tables below. Further details of derivative commodity instruments 
in place at the period end are given in Note 26.

Copper and molybdenum concentrate sales are stated net of deductions for tolling charges, as shown in the tables below.

For the year ended 31 December 2015

Provisionally invoiced gross sales
Effects of pricing adjustments  
to previous year invoices
Reversal of mark-to-market adjustments 
at the end of the previous year
Settlement of sales invoiced in the  
previous year
Total effect of adjustments to previous 
year invoices in the current year
Effects of pricing adjustments  
to current year invoices
Settlement of sales invoiced in the  
current year
Mark-to-market adjustments  
at the end of the current year

Total effect of adjustments to current 
year invoices
Total pricing adjustments
Realised gains on commodity derivatives
Revenue before deducting tolling charges
Tolling charges
Revenue net of tolling charges

Los Pelambres
Copper 
concentrate
$m
 2,001.6 

Centinela 
Copper 
concentrate
$m
 805.8 

Centinela 
Copper 
cathodes
$m
 443.4 

Michilla
Copper 
cathodes
$m
 173.3 

Los Pelambres
Gold in 
concentrate
$m
 63.0 

Centinela 
Gold in 
concentrate
$m
 200.7 

Los Pelambres
Molybdenum 
concentrate
$m
 147.0 

 45.5 

 19.6 

 1.4 

 0.4 

 (100.4)

 (49.8)

 (54.9)

 (30.2)

 (126.7)

 (47.6)

 (14.5)

 (6.2)

 (141.2)
 (196.1)
 – 
 1,805.5 
 (198.8)
 1,606.7 

 (53.8)
 (84.0)
 – 
 721.8 
 (95.2)
 626.6 

 (5.6)

 (4.2)

 (7.1)

 0.2 

 (6.9)
 (11.1)
 – 
 432.3 
 – 
 432.3 

 (2.3)

 (1.9)

 (2.6)

 0.1 

 (2.5)
 (4.4)
 – 
 168.9 
 – 
 168.9 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 1.8 

 3.6 

 5.4 

 2.0 

 (7.1)

 (5.1)

 (2.1)

 (11.8)

 (19.8)

 – 

 (2.2)

 1.0 

 (2.1)
 (2.1)
 – 
 60.9 
 (0.2)
 60.7 

 (14.0)
 (8.6)
 – 
 192.1 
 (0.8)
 191.3 

 (18.8)
 (23.9)
 – 
 123.1 
 (17.8)
 105.3 

Antofagasta plc  139

GOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT5 Revenues continued

For the year ended 31 December 2014

Provisionally invoiced gross sales
Effects of pricing adjustments to previous 
year invoices
Reversal of mark-to-market adjustments at the 
end of the previous year
Settlement of sales invoiced in the previous year
Total effect of adjustments to previous  
year invoices in the current year
Effects of pricing adjustments to current  
year invoices
Settlement of sales invoiced in the current year
Mark-to-market adjustments at the end of the 
current year

Total effect of adjustments to current  
year invoices
Total pricing adjustments
Realised gains on commodity derivatives
Revenue before deducting tolling charges
Tolling charges
Revenue net of tolling charges

(i) Copper concentrate

Los Pelambres
Copper 
concentrate
$m
 2,642.5 

Centinela 
Copper 
concentrate
$m
 1,226.8 

Centinela  
Copper  
cathodes
$m
 640.6 

Michilla
Copper  
cathodes
$m
 322.0 

Los Pelambres
Gold in 
concentrate
$m
 80.4 

Centinela 
Gold in 
concentrate
$m
 267.8 

Los Pelambres
Molybdenum 
concentrate
$m
 213.7 

 (27.1)
 (27.7)

 (8.8)
 (9.8)

 (54.8)

 (18.6)

 (29.8)

 (19.7)

 (45.5)

 (19.6)

 (75.3)
 (130.1)
 – 
 2,512.4 
 (163.8)
 2,348.6 

 (39.3)
 (57.9)
 – 
 1,168.9 
 (95.1)
 1,073.8 

 (1.0)
 1.2 

 0.2 

 (7.7)

 (1.3)

 (9.0)
 (8.8)
 0.1 
 631.9 
 – 
 631.9 

 0.1 
 (0.3)

 (0.2)

 (4.3)

 (0.4)

 (4.7)
 (4.9)
 18.3 
 335.4 
 – 
 335.4 

 – 
 0.4 

 0.4 

 – 

 – 

 – 
 0.4 
 – 
 80.8 
 (0.3)
 80.5 

 4.5 
 (2.0)

 2.5 

 1.2 
 0.2 

 1.4 

 (11.7)

 (15.2)

 (1.8)

 (2.0)

 (13.5)
 (11.0)
 – 
 256.8 
 (0.5)
 256.3 

 (17.2)
 (15.8)
 – 
 197.9 
 (15.1)
 182.8 

The typical period for which sales of copper concentrate remain open until settlement occurs is a range of approximately three to five months 
from shipment date. 

At 31 December 2015, sales totalling 184,400 tonnes remained open as to price, with an average mark-to-market price of $2.13/lb compared 
with an average provisional invoice price of $2.18/lb. 

At 31 December 2014, sales totalling 199,200 tonnes remained open as to price, with an average mark-to-market price of $2.86/lb compared 
with an average provisional invoice price of $3.01/lb. 

(ii) Copper cathodes

The typical period for which sales of copper cathodes remain open until settlement occurs is approximately one month from shipment date. 

At 31 December 2015, sales totalling 7,700 tonnes remained open as to price, with an average mark-to-market price of $2.13/lb compared 
with an average provisional invoice price of $2.12/lb. 

At 31 December 2014, sales totalling 13,800 tonnes remained open as to price, with an average mark-to-market price of $2.88/lb compared 
with an average provisional invoice price of $2.94/lb. 

140  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statements(iii) Gold concentrates

The typical period for which sales of gold in concentrate remain open is approximately one month from shipment date. 

At 31 December 2015, sales totalling 50,300 ounces remained open as to price, with an average mark-to-market price of $1,061/oz compared 
with an average provisional invoice price of $1,105/oz. 

At 31 December 2014, sales totalling 81,600 ounces remained open as to price, with an average mark-to-market price of $1,186/oz compared 
with an average provisional invoice price of $1,209/oz. 

(iv) Molybdenum concentrate

The typical period for which sales of molybdenum remain open is approximately two months from shipment date. 

At 31 December 2015, sales totalling 1,900 tonnes remained open as to price, with an average mark-to-market price of $5.1/lb compared with 
an average provisional invoice price of $4.8/lb. 

At 31 December 2014, sales totalling 1,900 tonnes remained open as to price, with an average mark-to-market price of $9.0/lb compared with 
an average provisional invoice price of $9.4/lb. 

As detailed above, the effects of gains and losses from the marking-to-market of open sales are recognised through adjustments to revenue 
in the income statement and to trade debtors in the balance sheet. The effect of mark-to-market adjustments on the balance sheet at the end 
of each period are as follows:

Los Pelambres – copper concentrate
Los Pelambres – molybdenum concentrate
Centinela – copper concentrate
Centinela – Gold concentrate
Centinela – copper cathodes
Michilla – copper cathodes

6 Profit before tax

Effect on debtors of year end  
mark-to-market adjustments

2015
$m
(14.5)
1.0 
(6.2)
(2.2)
0.2 
0.1 
(21.6)

2014
$m
(45.5)
(2.0)
(19.6)
(1.8)
(1.3)
(0.4)
(70.6)

Operating profit from subsidiaries and total profit from operations and associates and joint ventures is derived from Group revenue by 
deducting operating costs as follows:

Group revenue
Cost of sales 
Gross profit
Administrative and distribution expenses
Other operating income
Other operating expenses
Operating profit from subsidiaries 
Share of results from associates and joint ventures
Total profit from operations, associates and joint ventures 

2015 
$m
3,394.6 
(2,478.9)
 915.7 
(455.7)
37.6 
(193.2)
 304.4 
(5.8)
 298.6 

2014 
(Restated) 
$m
5,145.6 
(2,869.3)
 2,276.3 
(457.2)
20.8 
(256.3)
 1,583.6 
(4.1)
 1,579.5 

Antofagasta plc  141

GOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT6 Profit before tax continued

Profit before tax is stated after (charging)/crediting:

Foreign exchange (losses)/gains
 – included in net finance costs
 – included in income tax expense
Amortisation of intangible asset included in cost of sales
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment
 – owned assets
 – assets held under finance leases
Property and equipment written off
Cost of inventories recognised as expense
Employee benefit expense
Closure provision
Severance charges
Exploration and evaluation cost
Auditors´ remuneration

A more detailed analysis of auditor’s remuneration on a worldwide basis is provided below:

Group
Fees payable to the Company´s auditor and its associates for the audit of parent company and 
consolidated financial statements
Fees payable to Company´s auditor and its associates for other services:
 – The audit of Company’s subsidiaries
 – Audit-related assurance services
 – Tax advisory services
 – Tax compliance services
 – Other assurance services
 – Other non-audit services

2015 
$m

 (13.6)
 (1.0)
 – 

 (569.9)
 (6.2)
 (10.2)
 (1,762.1)
 (380.0)
 (25.8)
 (16.6)
 (101.9)
 (1.7)

2015 
$000

982

246
235
30
15
48
143
 1,699 

2014 
(Restated) 
$m

 4.0 
 (0.4)
 – 

 (575.6)
 (6.1)
 23.9 
 (2,006.5)
 (462.8)
 7.2 
 (17.5)
 (167.5)
 (1.4)

2014 
$000

666

270
301
17
 – 
 – 
105
 1,359 

Details of the Company’s policy on the use of auditors for non-audit services, the reason why the auditor was used rather than another 
supplier and how the auditor’s independence and objectivity was safeguarded are set out in the Audit and Risk Committee report on page 86. 
No services were provided pursuant to contingent fee arrangements.

142  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statements7 Employees 

a) Average monthly number of employees

Los Pelambres
Centinela
Michilla
Antucoya
Exploration and evaluation
Corporate and other employees
 – Chile
 – United Kingdom
 – Other
Mining
Railway and other transport services
Water concession

2015 
Number
 928 
 2,100 
 395 
 698 
 58 

 417 
 5 
 25 
 4,626 
 1,324 
 – 
 5,950 

2014 
Number
 925 
 2,108 
 688 
 463 
 52 

 380 
 8 
 36 
 4,660 
 1,575 
 374 
 6,609 

(i)   The average number of employees for the year includes all the employees of subsidiaries. The average number of employees does not include contractors who are not directly employed 

by the Group.

(ii)  The average number of employees does not include employees from associates and joint ventures.

(iii) The average number of employees includes Non-Executive Directors.

b) Aggregated remuneration

The aggregated remuneration of the employees included in the table above was as follows:

Wages and salaries
Social security costs

2015 
$m
 (407.7)
 (14.6)
 (422.3)

2014 
$m
 (478.6)
 (24.2)
 (502.8)

During 2015, the amount relating to Minera Antucoya of $42.3 million (2014 – $39.9 million) on wages, salaries and social security cost has 
been capitalised.

c) Key management personnel

In accordance with IAS 24, key management personnel are those persons having authority and responsibility for planning, directing 
and controlling the activities of the Group, directly or indirectly, including any Directors (Executive and Non-Executive) of the Company. 
Key management personnel who are not Directors have been treated as responsible senior management at the Corporate Centre and 
for the running of the key business divisions of the Group.

Compensation for key management personnel (including Directors) was as follows:

Salaries and short-term employee benefits

2015 
$m
 (19.2)
 (19.2)

2014 
$m
 (18.4)
 (18.4)

Disclosures on Directors’ remuneration required by Schedule 8 of the Large and Medium-sized Companies and Group (Accounts and Reports) 
Regulations 2008 including those specified for audit by that Schedule are included in the Remuneration Report on page 96.

Antofagasta plc  143

GOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT8 Net finance expense

Investment income
Interest income
Fair value through profit or loss

Interest expense
Interest expense
Preference dividends

Other finance items
Time value effect of derivatives
Unwinding of discount on provisions
Impairment of available-for-sale investments
Foreign exchange

Net finance expense

2015 
$m

 16.7 
 1.4 
 18.1 

 (33.5)
 (0.2)
 (33.7)

 0.1 
 (9.1)
 (1.0)
 (13.6)
 (23.6)
(39.2)

2014 
(Restated) 
$m

 14.2 
 2.6 
 16.8 

 (44.2)
 (0.2)
(44.4)

 (5.1)
 (8.9)
 (26.3)
 4.0 
 (36.3)
(63.9)

At 31 December 2015, an expense of $29.6 million relating to net interest expense and other finance items at Antucoya was capitalised 
(at 31 December 2014 – $27.4).

As at 31 December 2014, the Group held a 17.2% stake in Duluth Metals Limited (“Duluth”), accounted for as an available-for-sale investment. 
As at 31 December 2014, Duluth held a 60% interest in Twin Metals Minnesota Limited (“Twin Metals”), with the Group holding the remaining 
40% interest in Twin Metals. As disclosed in Note 19, in November 2014 Antofagasta entered into a binding letter of agreement to acquire 
100% of Duluth. The acquisition completed subsequent to the 2014 year end following approval from Duluth’s shareholders in January 2015. 
Movements in the fair value of the available-for-sale investment in Duluth had previously been recorded within the Consolidated Statement 
of Comprehensive Income. The agreed acquisition terms indicated a final fixed value for the Duluth shares, and that there had therefore been 
an impairment in the value of the Duluth shares to this amount. Accordingly, an impairment charge of $26.3 million was recognised in 2014 in 
respect of this available-for-sale investment, with fair value losses previously recorded within the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive 
Income being transferred to the income statement and recognised within this impairment loss. This impairment change was largely offset by 
the related $28.6 million disposal gain recognised in 2014 in respect of the temporary loss of control of the Twin Metals project as set out in 
Note 17.

The fair value through profit or loss line represents the fair value gains relating to liquid investments.

9 Income tax expense

The tax charge for the year comprised the following:

Current tax charge
 – Corporate tax (principally first category tax in Chile)
 – Mining tax (royalty)
 – Withholding tax
 – Exchange losses on corporate tax balances

Deferred tax charge
 – Corporate tax (principally first category tax in Chile)
 – Adjustment to deferred tax attributable to changes in tax rates
 – Mining tax (royalty)
 – Withholding tax provision

Total tax charge

2015 
$m

 (41.6)
 (20.4)
 (12.9)
 (1.0)
 (75.9)

 (69.0)
 – 
 (13.6)
 (1.9)
 (84.5)
 (160.4)

2014 
(Restated) 
$m

 (360.9)
 (71.9)
 (279.3)
 (0.6)
 (712.7)

 10.2 
 (215.1)
 (7.2)
 222.5 
 10.4 
 (702.3)

The rate of first category (ie corporate) tax in Chile is currently 22.5% (2014 – 21%). The rate will increase to 24% in 2016.

144  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statementsIn addition to first category tax, the Group incurs withholding taxes on any remittance of profits from Chile and deferred tax is provided on 
undistributed earnings to the extent that remittance is probable in the foreseeable future. Withholding tax is levied on remittances of profits 
from Chile at 35% less first category (ie corporate) tax already paid in respect of the profits to which the remittances relate.

On 29 September 2014, a significant reform of the Chilean system was enacted into law. This introduced two alternative future taxation 
systems – the partially-integrated system (the default system for the Group’s Chilean subsidiaries) or the attributable system. The Group has 
been accounting for deferred tax on the basis that it would apply the default partially-integrated system. On 1 February 2016, a Simplification 
of the Tax Reform was enacted into law. This specifies that for entities such as the Group’s Chilean subsidiaries, whose members are 
corporate entities and not individual persons, only the partially-integrated system can be applied. Given that the Group has already been 
accounting for deferred tax on the basis that it would apply the default partially-integrated system this has not resulted in any accounting 
impact for the Group. 

Under the partially-integrated system the corporate tax rate will be 25.5% in 2017 and 27% from 2018 onwards. The immediate shareholders 
of the Chilean subsidiaries will pay withholding tax based on the cash distributions made by those subsidiary companies, as with the current 
tax system. If the subsidiary company’s shareholders are tax resident in countries with applicable tax treaties with Chile (as is the case for the 
Group) the withholding tax will be 35%, less first category tax at the rate it was paid, so if the Company distributes all of its earnings the total 
corporate and withholding tax burden will be 35%.

The Group’s mining operations are also subject to a mining tax (royalty). Production from Los Pelambres, the Tesoro Central and Mirador 
pits at Centinela Cathodes and Michilla are currently subject to a rate of 4% of taxable operating profit and Centinela Concentrates of 5%, 
and production from the Tesoro North East pit and the run-of-mine processing at Centinela Cathodes is subject to a rate of between 5–14%, 
depending on the level of operating profit margin. 

Profit before tax
Tax at the Chilean corporate tax rate of 22.5% (2014 – 21%) 
Effect of increase in first category tax rates on deferred tax balances
Items not subject to or deductible from first category tax
Carry-back tax losses resulting in credits at historic tax rates
Mining tax (royalty)
Withholding taxes
Tax effect of share of results of associates and joint ventures
Net other items
Tax expense and effective tax rate for the year

$m
 259.4 
 (58.4)
 (8.9)
 (17.1)
 (25.8)
 (34.0)
 (14.8)
 (0.5)
 (0.9)
 (160.4)

2015

%

 22.5 
 3.4 
 6.6 
 9.9 
 13.1 
 5.7 
 0.2 
 0.3 
 61.8 

2014 
(Restated)

%

 21.0 
 14.2 
 2.2 
 – 
 5.2 
 3.7 
 0.1 
 (0.1)
 46.3 

$m
1,515.6
 (318.3)
 (215.1)
 (33.5)
 – 
 (79.1)
 (56.8)
 (0.9)
 1.4 
 (702.3)

The tax charge for 2015 was $160.4 million and the effective tax rate was 61.8%. In 2015 the effective tax rate varied from the statutory 
rate principally due to tax losses which under Chilean tax carry-back rules generated a credit at historic tax rates below the current year 
statutory rate (impact of $25.8 million/9.9%), the effect of expenses not deductible for Chilean corporate tax purposes (principally the funding 
of expenses outside of Chile) (impact of $17.1 million/6.6%) and the mining tax (impact of $34.0 million/13.1%) and withholding tax charge 
(impact of $14.8 million/5.7%). In 2014, the effective tax rate varied from the standard rate (comprising corporate (first category) tax) principally 
due to the one-off deferred tax charge of $215.1 million reflecting the increase in tax rates as a result of the Chilean tax reform enacted 
in that year. 

There are no significant tax uncertainties which would require critical judgements, estimates or potential provisions.

Antofagasta plc  145

GOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT10 Discontinued operations 

(i) Asset disposals 

On 2 June 2015, the Group completed the disposal of its Water division, of Aguas de Antofagasta S.A. (“ADASA”). On 28 August 2015, the 
Group completed the disposal of its transport operation in Bolivia, Empresa Ferroviaria Andina (“FCA”). 

The results of ADASA and FCA for the period prior to disposal as well as the profit on disposal have been presented on the “Profit for the 
period from discontinued operations” line in the income statement, reflecting the following amounts:

Revenue
Total operating costs
Net finance(expense)/income
(Loss)/profit before tax
Attributable tax expense
(Loss)/profit of discontinued 
operations
(Loss)/profit on disposal of discontinued 
operations1
Attributable tax expense2
Net profit attributable to discontinued 
operations (attributable to owners of 
the Company)

FCA
$m
 12.9 
 (20.2)
 (0.2)
 (7.5)
 – 

 (7.5)

 (5.6)
 – 

Year ended  
31 December 
2015
$m
 66.8 
 (55.1)
 (0.3)
 11.4 
 (3.9)

ADASA
$m
 53.9 
 (34.9)
 (0.1)
 18.9 
 (3.9)

 15.0 

 7.5 

 853.2 
 (252.4)

 847.6 
 (252.4)

FCA
$m
 19.9 
 (25.3)
 (0.3)
 (5.7)
 (0.6)

 (6.3)

 – 
 – 

Year ended  
31 December 
2014
$m
 144.8 
 (88.7)
 1.8 
 57.9 
 (20.5)

ADASA
$m
 124.9 
 (63.4)
 2.1 
 63.6 
 (19.9)

 43.7 

 37.4 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 (13.1)

 615.8 

 602.7 

 (6.3)

 43.7 

 37.4 

1  Profit on disposal included a loss of $3.9 million and a profit of $2.1 million related to the accumulated currency translation adjustment relating to ADASA and FCA respectively, which has been 

reclassified from translation reserves in other comprehensive income to the income statement upon disposal.

2  Tax expense includes $57.2 million related to withholding tax.

The operating costs at ADASA related with amortisation of concession rights are $2.4 million at December 2015 (2014 – $10.9 million).

During the period, ADASA contributed $21.7 million (2014 – $63.6 million) to the Group´s net cash flow from operating activities, $19.2 million 
(2014 – $25.7 million) in respect to net cash used in investing activities and paid $2.0 million (2014 – $27.9 million) in net cash provided in 
financing activities. 

During the period, FCA contributed $2.2 million (2014 – $4.8 million) to the Group´s net cash flow from operating activities, $2.1 million 
(2014 – $4.5 million) in respect to net cash used in investing activities and paid $0.1 million (2014 – $0.3 million) in net cash provided in 
financing activities. 

146  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statements(ii) Disposal of Aguas de Antofagasta S.A. 

On 2 June 2015, the Group disposed of its 100% interest in Aguas de Antofagasta S.A. (“ADASA”). The proceeds on disposal of 
$962.8 million were received in cash. The gain on disposal of ADASA is analysed below. No investment was retained in the former subsidiary. 

The net assets of ADASA at the date of disposal were as follows:

Proceeds on disposal, cash and cash equivalents
Asset disposed of:
Intangibles
Property, plant and equipment
Inventories
Current tax asset
Trade receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Trade payables
Borrowings
Retirement benefit obligation
Long-term provision
Deferred tax liabilities
Total carrying amount disposed
Profit on disposal of discontinued operations (before tax)
Net cash inflow arising on disposal:
Consideration received in cash and cash equivalents
Less: cash and cash equivalents disposed of

At  
2 June 2015 
$m
962.8 

113.7
64.1
2.0
2.5
23.7
19.9
 (18.3)
 (80.2)
 (2.8)
 (1.6)
 (13.4)
109.6
853.2

962.8
 (19.9)
 942.9 

(iii) Disposal of Empresa Ferroviaria Andina 

On 28 August 2015, the Group disposed of its 50% interest in Empresa Ferroviaria Andina (“FCA”). The gain on disposal of FCA is analysed 
below. No investment was retained in the former subsidiary.

The net assets of FCA at the date of disposal were as follows: 

Proceeds on disposal, cash and cash equivalents
Asset disposed of:
Property, plant and equipment
Trade receivables
Cash and cash equivalents
Other assets
Trade and other payables
Borrowings
Retirement benefit obligation
Non-controlling interest
Total carrying amount disposed
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations (before tax)

At  
28 August 2015 
$m
 – 

 20.5 
 6.6 
 0.5 
 4.6 
 (2.7)
 (4.5)
 (6.1)
 (13.3)
 5.6 
(5.6)

Antofagasta plc  147

GOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT11 Earnings per share

Profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the Company (Net earnings)

Ordinary shares in issue throughout each year

Basic earnings per share
From continuing operations
From discontinued operations
Total continuing and discontinued operations

2015 
$m
608.2 

2014 
$m
459.8

2015 
Number
985,856,695

2014 
Number
985,856,695

2015 
US cents

2014 
US cents

0.6
61.1
61.7

42.8
3.8
46.6

Basic earnings per share are calculated as profit after tax and non-controlling interests, based on 985,856,695 ordinary shares.

There was no potential dilution of earnings per share in either year set out above, and therefore diluted earnings per share did not differ from 
basic earnings per share as disclosed above.

12 Dividends

Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the year:

Final dividend paid in June (proposed in relation to the previous year)
 – ordinary
Interim dividend paid in October
 – ordinary

2015 
$m

2014 
$m

2015 
US cents 
per share

2014 
US cents 
per share

 96.6 

 848.8 

 9.8 

 86.1 

 30.6 
 127.2 

 115.4 
 964.2 

 3.1 
 12.9 

 11.7 
 97.8

The proposed final dividend for each year, which is subject to approval by shareholders at the Annual General Meeting and has therefore not 
been included as a liability in these financial statements, is as follows:

Final dividend proposed in relation to the year
– ordinary

2015 
$m

 – 
 – 

2014 
$m

 96.6 
 96.6 

2015 
US cents 
per share

2014 
US cents 
per share

 – 
 – 

 9.8 
 9.8 

This gives total dividends proposed in relation to 2015 (including the interim dividend) of 3.1 cents per share or $30.6 million (2014 – 21.5 cents 
per share or $212.0 million).

In accordance with IAS 32, preference dividends have been included within interest expense (see Note 8) and amounted to $0.2 million 
(2014 – $0.2 million).

Further details of the currency election timing and process (including the default currency of payment) are available on the Antofagasta plc 
website (www.antofagasta.co.uk) or from the Company’s registrar, Computershare Investor Services PLC on +44 870 702 0159.

Further details relating to dividends for each year are given in the Directors’ Report.

148  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statements13 Intangible assets

Cost
At 1 January 2014
Additions
Foreign currency exchange difference
At 31 December 2014
Additions through acquisition of Twin Metals
Disposals
Foreign currency exchange difference
At 31 December 2015
Accumulated amortisation and impairment
At 1 January 2014
Charge for the year
Foreign currency exchange difference
At 31 December 2014
Charge for the year
Disposals
Foreign currency exchange difference
At 31 December 2015
Net book value
At 31 December 2015
At 31 December 2014

$m

 243.7 
 14.1 
 (24.4)
 233.4 
 150.1 
 (228.6)
 (4.8)
 150.1 

 (110.7)
 (10.9)
 6.8 
 (114.8)
 (2.4)
 114.9 
 2.3 
 –

 150.1 
 118.6

As disclosed in Note 19, in January 2015 the Group completed its acquisition of 100% of Duluth Metals Limited (“Duluth”). The principal asset 
of Duluth was its 60% stake in Twin Metals Minnesota Limited (“Twin Metals”), a company in which the Group held the remaining 40% stake 
as at December 2014. This transaction has resulted in the Group consolidating 100% of the assets and liabilities relating to Twin Metals with 
effect from January 2015, including the above $150.1 million intangible asset reflecting the value of Twin Metals’ mining property assets. 
The mining properties acquired will be amortised once production commences.

The prior year balance related to Aguas de Antofagasta S.A.’s (“ADASA”) 30-year concession to operate the water rights and facilities in the 
Antofagasta Region of Chile. This balance was disposed of as part of the sale of ADASA on 2 June 2015, as disclosed in Note 10.

Antofagasta plc  149

GOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT14 Property, plant and equipment

Cost
At 1 January 2014
Additions
Adjustment to capitalised  
decommissioning provisions
Reclassifications
Assets derecognised due to loss of control 
of subsidiary
Asset disposals
Foreign currency exchange difference
At 31 December 2014
Additions
Additions through acquisition of  
Twin Metals
Adjustment to capitalised decommissioning 
provisions
Reclassifications
Disposal of subsidiary
Asset disposals
Foreign currency exchange difference
At 31 December 2015
Accumulated depreciation and 
impairment
At 1 January 2014
Charge for the year
Depreciation capitalised in inventories
Depreciation capitalised in property, plant 
and equipment
Assets derecognised due to loss of control 
of subsidiary
Reclassifications
Asset disposals
Foreign currency exchange difference
At 31 December 2014
Charge for the year
Additions through acquisition of Twin Metals
Depreciation capitalised in inventories
Depreciation capitalised in property, plant 
and equipment
Disposal of subsidiary
Reclassifications
Asset disposals
Foreign currency exchange difference
At 31 December 2015
Net book value
at 31 December 2015
At 31 December 2014
Assets under finance leases included in 
the totals above
Net book value
at 31 December 2015
At 31 December 2014

Land
$m

Mining 
properties
$m

Buildings and 
infrastructure
$m

Railway  
track
$m

Wagons and 
rolling stock
$m

Machinery, 
equipment 
and others
$m

Assets under 
construction
$m

Total
$m

 26.4 
 – 

 1,318.1 
 73.8 

 3,559.9 
 1.7 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 25.4 

 (48.1)
 260.8 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 26.4 
 – 

 (89.6)
 (0.8)
 – 
 1,326.9 
 81.1 

 – 
 (0.9)
 (12.8)
 3,760.6 
 0.2 

 72.3 
 – 

 – 
 4.8 

 – 
 (1.8)
 – 
 75.3 
 – 

 150.4 
 7.3 

 4,453.5 
 52.5 

 1,580.1 
 1,445.7 

 11,160.7 
 1,581.0 

 – 
 8.0 

 – 
 227.6 

 – 
 (517.0)

 (48.1)
 9.6 

 – 
 (2.6)
 – 
 163.1 
 1.8 

 (6.0)
 (29.7)
 (2.9)
 4,695.0 
 93.9 

 – 
 (3.3)
 (1.6)
 2,503.9 
 835.6 

 (95.6)
 (39.1)
 (17.3)
 12,551.2 
 1,012.6 

 0.6 

 9.9 

 0.1 

 – 

 – 

 11.4 

 – 

 22.0 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 – 

 (16.4)

 – 

 (16.4)

 – 
 12.0 
 (0.8)
 – 
 – 
 38.2 

 – 
 95.5 
 (29.7)
 (4.1)
 – 
 1,479.6 

 (35.7)
 590.9 
 (0.8)
 – 
 (5.1)
 4,310.2 

 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 (604.5)
 (121.5)
 – 

 (1,040.8)
 (142.2)
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (726.0)
 (134.7)
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (860.7)

 – 
 – 
 0.8 
 8.6 
 (1,173.6)
 (149.0)
 – 
 – 

 – 
 3.5 
 (4.3)
 – 
 3.6 
 (1,319.8)

 38.2 
 26.4 

 618.9 
 600.9 

 2,990.4 
 2,587.0 

 – 
 4.6 
 – 
 (1.5)
 – 
 78.4 

 (18.4)
 (2.3)
 – 

 – 
 6.4 
 (35.9)
 (3.9)
 – 
 131.5 

 – 
 1,227.9 
 (55.4)
 (14.1)
 (0.8)
 5,957.9 

 – 
 (1,813.3)
 (30.0)
 (2.6)
 (0.5)
 1,493.1 

 (35.7)
 124.0 
 (152.6)
 (26.2)
 (6.4)
 13,488.9 

 (88.2)
 (14.9)
 – 

 (1,549.6)
 (314.2)
 (10.0)

 (447.6)
 – 
 – 

 (3,749.1)
 (595.1)
 (10.0)

 – 
 – 
 0.8 
 – 
 (19.9)
 (2.7)
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 0.6 
 – 
 (22.0)

 56.4 
 55.4 

 – 
 (0.6)
 3.4 
 – 
 (100.3)
 (18.1)
 – 
 – 

 – 
 38.1 
 – 
 3.0 
 (0.1)
 (77.4)

 1.2 
 (9.8)
 27.8 
 1.1 
 (1,869.9)
 (286.2)
 (1.2)
 (24.8)

 (20.1)
 26.4 
 4.1 
 10.3 
 1.1 
 (2,160.3)

 – 
 – 

 (447.6)
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (447.6)

 1.2 
 (10.4)
 32.8 
 9.7 
 (4,337.3)
 (590.7)
 (1.2)
 (24.8)

 (20.1)
 68.0 
 (0.2)
 13.9 
 4.6 
 (4,887.8)

 54.1 
 62.8 

 3,797.6 
 2,825.1 

 1,045.5 
 2,056.3 

 8,601.1 
 8,213.9 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 

 26.5 
 26.9 

 – 
 – 

 – 
 3.0 

 9.9 
 14.7 

 – 
 – 

 36.4 
 44.6

The charge for the year of depreciation included $2.8 million related to the charge of the period for Aguas de Antofagasta S.A (until May, 2015) 
and $12.1 Empresa Ferroviaria Andina (until August, 2015) and shown as discontinued operations in Note 4.

150  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statementsThe Group has pledged assets with a carrying value of $301.4 million (2014 – $169.3 million) as security against bank loans provided to the 
Group. The increase in the value of pledged assets compared with 2014 reflects the guarantees relating to the Antucoya project financing 
during 2015.

At 31 December 2015 the Group had entered into contractual commitments for the acquisition of property, plant and equipment amounting 
to $283.1 million (2014 – $253.2 million) of which $138.6 million was related to the development of the Encuentro Oxides project.

Compensation from insurance companies related to property, plant and equipment included in the consolidated income statement was 
$15.2 million in 2015 (2014 – $2.5 million).

At 31 December 2015 $44.9 million (2014 – $26.4 million) of depreciation in respect of assets relating to Los Pelambres, Centinela, Antucoya 
and Michilla has been capitalised within property, plant and equipment or inventory, and accordingly is excluded from the depreciation charge 
recorded in the income statement as shown in Note 4(a).

Additions include $20.8 million related to property, plant and equipment of Twin Metals as part of the acquisition of the Duluth group of assets 
(see Note 19).

Reclassification additions are mainly related to the capitalisation of interests and other expenses incurred during the commissioning 
of Antucoya.

15 Impairment review

Given the recent deterioration in commodity market conditions the Group has reviewed its assets for indicators of impairment, and has 
performed impairment reviews in respect of the Centinela and Antucoya operations. 

In both cases fair value less costs of disposal (“FVLCD”) calculations have been used, based on discounted cash flow models incorporating 
estimates of assumptions that would be used by independent market participants in valuing the assets. The cash flow models are based 
on the operations’ detailed life-of-mine plans.

The key assumptions to which the value of the assets are most sensitive are future commodity prices, the discount rate used to determine 
the present value of the future cash flows, future operating costs, sustaining and development capital expenditure and ore reserve estimates. 
The commodity price forecasts (representing the Group’s estimates of the assumptions that would be used by independent market 
participants in valuing the assets) are based on consensus forecasts, information disclosed by other mining companies and prices implied 
by recent market transactions. A long-term copper price of $3.00/lb has been used in the FVLCD calculations. A real post-tax discount rate 
of 8% has been used in determining the present value of the forecast future cash flow from the assets.

For both Centinela and Antucoya, the recoverable amount indicated by the FVLCD calculations was greater than the carrying value of the 
assets, and accordingly no impairment charge has been recorded.

The assumptions used in the FVLCD calculations which are considered to be subject to the most estimation uncertainty are the long-term 
copper price and the discount rate. To illustrate the sensitivity of the valuations of Centinela and Antucoya to negative movements in 
these parameters, a 5% decrease in the forecast long-term copper price would result in an impairment of $375 million at Centinela and 
an impairment of $95 million at Antucoya, and an increase in the discount rate from 8% to 9% would result in an impairment of $190 million 
at Centinela and an impairment of $50 million at Antucoya. These are simple sensitivities, looking at illustrative movements in the long-term 
copper price and discount rate in isolation. In reality, a deterioration in the long-term copper price environment is likely to result in corresponding 
improvements in a range of input cost factors, as well as potential operational changes, which could partly mitigate the above estimated 
potential impairment charges.

Antofagasta plc  151

GOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOTHER INFORMATIONFINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT16 Investments in subsidiaries

The principal subsidiaries of the Group, the percentage of equity owned and the main country of operation are set out below. These interests 
are consolidated within these financial statements. 

Country of incorporation

Country of operations 

Nature of business

Economic interest

Direct subsidiaries of the Parent Company
Antofagasta Railway Company plc
Chilean Northern Mines Limited
Antofagasta Investment Company Limited
Alfa Estates Limited
Minprop Limited
Andes Trust Limited (The)
Indirect subsidiaries of the Parent Company
Antofagasta Minerals S.A.
Minera Los Pelambres SCM
Minera Centinela SCM 
Minera Michilla S.A.
Minera Antucoya Limitada
Minera Encuentro SCM
Minera Mulpun Limitada
Equatorial Resources SpA
Minera Santa Margarita de Astillas SCM
Minera Penacho Blanco S.A.
Duluth Metals Limited
Twin Metals Minnesota LLC
Inversiones Los Pelambres Chile Limitada.
El Tesoro SPV Bermuda Limited
Andes Investment Company (Jersey) Limited
Antofagasta Minerals Canada
Minera Anaconda Peru SA
Antofagasta Minerals Australia Pty Limited
Antofagasta Services Limited
Ferrocarril Antofagasta a Bolivia (Agency)
Servicios de Transportes Integrados Limitada
Inversiones Punta de Rieles Limitada
Inversiones Chilean Northern Mines Limitada
The Andes Trust Chile S.A.
Transportes Integrados Limitada
Inversiones Transportes Integrados Limitada
Embarcadores Limitada
FCAB Ingenieria y Servicios Limitada
Emisa Antofagasta S.A.
Servicios Logisticos Capricornio Limitada
Forestal S.A.
Atacama Copper Company Pty Limited
Tethyan Copper Company Limited
Chagai Mineral Company Limited
Tethyan Copper Company Pakistan (Private) Limited
Paktui Exploration Limited
Northern Minerals Investment (Jersey) Limited
Northern Metals (UK) Limited
Northern Minerals Holding Co
Twin Metals (UK) Limited
Twin Metals Inc.
DMC LLC 
Duluth Metals Holdings Inc
Duluth Exploration Inc

152  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

UK
UK
Jersey
Jersey
Jersey
UK

Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Canada
USA
Chile
Bermuda
Jersey
Canada
Peru
Australia
UK
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Australia
Australia
Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan
Jersey
UK
USA
UK
USA
USA
USA
USA

Chile
Chile
Jersey
Jersey
Jersey
UK

Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Canada
USA
Chile
Bermuda
Jersey
Canada
Peru
Australia
UK
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile 
Chile 
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile
Australia
Australia
Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan
Jersey
UK
USA
UK
USA
USA
USA
USA

Railway
Investment
Investment
Investment
Mining
Investment

Mining
Mining
Mining
Mining
Mining
Mining
Mining
Investment
Mining
Mining
Investment
Mining
Investment
Investment
Investment
Mining
Mining
Mining
Group services
Railway
Road transport
Investment
Investment
Investment
Transport
Investment
Transport
Transport
Transport
Transport
Forestry
Investment
Investment
Investment
Mining
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment

100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

100%
60%
70%
99.9%
70%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

Notes to the financial statementsDMC (USA) LLC 
DMC (USA) Corporation
Antofagasta Energy Jersey PCC
Antomin 2 Limited
Antomin Investors Limited
Antofagasta Minerals Adelaide Pty Limited
Antofagasta Minerals Perth Pty Limited
Los Pelambres Holding Company Limited
Los Pelambres Investment Company Limited
Anaconda South America Inc
Lamborn Land Co
Helleborus Anstalt
Morrisville Holdings Co
Bolivian Rail Investors Co Inc
Blue Ocean Overseas Inc
Antofagasta Metals Limited
Antofagasta Nickel Limited
Antofagasta (Chili) and Bolivia Railway Company. Limited
Antofagasta Holdings Limited
Antofagasta Minerals Limited
Antofagasta Gold Limited
Antofagasta Mining Limited
Antofagasta Copper Limited

Country of incorporation
USA
USA
Jersey
BVI
BVI
Australia
Australia
Jersey
Jersey
USA
USA
Liechtenstein
BVI
USA
BVI
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK

Country of operations 
USA
USA
Jersey
BVI
BVI
Australia
Australia
Jersey
Jersey
USA
USA
Liechtenstein
BVI
USA
BVI
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK
UK

Nature of business
Investment
Investment
Investment
Mining
Mining
Mining
Mining
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment
Investment

Economic interest
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%
100%

With the exception of the Antofagasta Railway Company plc, all of the above Group companies have only one class of ordinary share capital 
in issue. The Antofagasta Railway Company plc has ordinary and preference share capital in issue, with the ordinary share capital representing 
76% of the Company’s total share capital, and the preference share capital representing 24% of the Company’s total share capital,  
Antofagasta plc holds 100% of both the ordinary and preference share capital of the Antofagasta Railway Company plc.

The proportion of the voting rights is proportional with the economic interest under the companies listed above.

During 2015, the Group sold its 100% participation in the subsidiary Aguas de Antofagasta S.A. together with its investment in Atacama 
Aguas y Tecnología Limitada and the Group´s 50% share in Empresa Ferroviaria Andina. For more details of these transactions see Note 10. 

17 Investment in associates and joint ventures

Balance at the beginning of the year
Capital contribution
Acquisition
Gains/(losses) in fair value of cash flow  
hedges deferred in reserves of associates 
Derecognition of investment in associate  
upon reclassification to subsidiary
Share of net profit/(loss) before tax
Share of tax
Share of income/(loss) from associates
Dividends received
Balance at the end of the year

Inversiones 
Hornitos 
2015 
$m
78.3 
– 
– 

ATI 
2015 
$m
8.8 
– 
– 

El Arrayán 
2015 
$m
24.5 
– 
– 

Alto 
Maipo 
2015 
$m
8.3 
42.8 

Minera 
Zaldívar 
2015 
$m
– 
– 
–  1,001.7 

Energía 
Andina 
2015 
$m 
11.2 
1.3 
– 

Tethyan 
Copper 
2015 
$m 
(0.4)
4.0 
– 

Twin 
Total 
Metals 
2015 
2015 
$m
$m
198.1 
67.4 
48.1 
– 
–  1,001.7 

Total 
2014 
$m
175.2 
21.6 
– 

– 

– 

(0.4)

(13.9)

– 

(1.7)

– 

– 

(16.0)

(42.0)

– 
12.3 
(3.4)
8.9 
(12.1)
75.1 

– 
(0.9)
0.2 
(0.7)
– 
8.1 

– 
(0.4)
(0.5)
(0.9)
– 
23.2 

– 
(6.2)
2.5 
(3.7)
– 
33.5 

– 
(2.4)
(0.4)
(2.8)
– 
998.9 

– 
(0.7)
0.2 
(0.5)
– 
10.3 

– 
(6.1)
– 
(6.1)
– 
(2.5)

(67.4)
(67.4)
(4.4)
– 
(1.4)
– 
(5.8)
– 
(12.1)
– 
–  1,146.6 

67.4 
(1.2)
(2.9)
(4.1)
(20.0)
198.1 

The investments which are included in the $1,146.6 million balance at 31 December 2015 are set out below:

Investment in associates

(i)  The Group’s 40% interest in Inversiones Hornitos S.A., which owns the 165MW Hornitos thermoelectric power plant operating 
in Mejillones, in Chile’s Antofagasta Region. The Group has a 16-year power purchase agreement with Hornitos for the provision 
of up to 40MW of electricity for Centinela.

(ii)  The Group’s 30% interest in ATI, which operates a concession to manage installations in the port of Antofagasta.

Antofagasta plc  153

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT17 Investment in associates and joint ventures continued

(iii)  The Group´s 30% interest in Parque Eolico El Arrayán S.A., which operates an 115MW wind-farm project, which entered into operation 
in June 2014. The Group has a 20-year power purchase agreement with Parque Eolico El Arrayán S.A. for the provision of up to 40MW 
of electricity for Los Pelambres. The Group did not make any capital contributions to Parque Eolico El Arrayán S.A. during the year  
(2014 – $2.6 million).

(iv)  The Group’s interest in Alto Maipo SpA (“Alto Maipo”), which will develop, construct, own and operate two run-of-river hydroelectric 
power stations located in the upper section of the Maipo River, approximately 50 kilometres to the southeast of Santiago, with a total 
installed capacity of 531MW. In July 2013, the Group exercised an option to acquire a 40% interest in Alto Maipo for a consideration 
of $50.2 million, and is responsible for its share of development costs. Alto Maipo has used derivative financial instruments to reduce 
its exposure to interest rate movements in relation to the project financing and foreign exposure. A fair value loss of $13.9 million 
(2014 – $42.3 million loss) was recognised in relation to the mark-to-market of these derivative financial instruments with this amount 
deferred in reserves as it forms part of a designated cash flow hedging relationship. During 2015, the Group made capital contributions 
of $42.8 million (2014 – nil). During the year, the Group also provided $63.9 million of loan financing (2014 – $105.4 million) to Alto Maipo. 
The balance due from Alto Maipo to the Group at 31 December 2015 was $229.7 million (2014 – $152.4 million) representing loan 
financing with an interest rate of six-month LIBOR plus 4.25%.

(v)  As at 31 December 2014, the Group had a 40% interest in Twin Metals Minnesota LLC (“Twin Metals”), which is seeking to develop a 
copper-nickel-PGM deposit in north-eastern Minnesota. The remaining 60% interest in Twin Metals was held by Duluth Metals Limited 
(“Duluth”). As detailed in Note 19, in January 2015 the Group completed its acquisition of 100% of Duluth, resulting in the Group holding 
a 100% interest in Twin Metals from that point. This has resulted in the Group consolidating 100% of the assets and liabilities relating to 
Twin Metals with effect from January 2015, and accordingly the investment in associate balance relating to Twin Metals was derecognised 
at that point.

Investment in joint ventures

(vi)  The Group’s 50% interest in Compañia Minera Zaldívar SpA (“Zaldívar”), which was acquired on 1 December 2015 (see Note 20). 

Zaldívar is an open-pit, heap-leach copper mine located in Northern Chile, which produces approximately 100,000 tonnes of copper 
cathodes annually. The total provisional consideration for the acquisition of the Group’s 50% stake (including acquisition costs) was 
$1,001.7 million. The consideration is subject to adjustments based on the net debt and working capital levels of Zaldívar at the completion 
date, and it is currently expected that these adjustments will be finalised during the first half of 2016, allowing a final determination of the 
total consideration and the fair value of the share of assets and liabilities acquired.

(vii)  The Group’s 50.1% (2014 – 50.1%) interest in Energía Andina, which is a joint venture with Origin Energy Geothermal Chile Limitada 

(“Origin”) for the evaluation and development of potential sources of geothermal and solar energy. 

(viii) The Group’s 50% interest in Tethyan Copper Company Limited (“Tethyan”), which is a joint venture with Barrick Gold Corporation over 

Tethyan’s mineral interests in Pakistan, which is now subject to international arbitration as set out in Note 37 below.

Summarised financial information for the associates and joint ventures is as follows:

Cash and cash equivalent
Current assets
Non-current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Revenue
Profit/(loss) after tax 
Other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income/(expense)

Inversiones 
Hornitos 
2015 
$m
23.4 
44.9 
310.6 
(28.1)
(163.2)
 143.0 
 22.4 
 – 
 165.4 

ATI 
2015 
$m
1.0 
14.7 
148.9 
(23.2)
(114.3)
 38.9 
 (2.7)
 – 
 36.2 

El Arrayán 
2015 
$m
2.7 
15.2 
271.4 
(13.5)
(198.7)
 32.6 
 (3.0)
 (1.2)
 28.4 

Alto 
Maipo 
2015 
$m
121.6 
36.7 

Minera 
Zaldívar 
2015 
$m
17.5 
616.7 
841.3  1,589.8 
(116.1)
(102.4)
(97.1)
(813.6)
 51.7 
 – 
 (5.5)
 (6.7)
 – 
 (35.0)
 46.2 
 (41.7)

Energía 
Andina 
2015 
$m 
1.2 
– 
19.6 
(0.6)
– 
 – 
 (1.1)
 (3.2)
 (4.3)

Tethyan  
Total  
Total 
Copper 
2014  
2015 
2015 
$m
$m
$m
75.0 
169.5 
2.1 
0.2 
80.8 
728.4 
0.3  3,181.9  1,476.3 
(133.6)
(291.1)
 (7.2)
(993.6)
 (0.2) (1,387.1)
212.9 
 266.2 
(14.0)
(8.8)
(109.2)
(39.4)
(123.2)
218.0 

 – 
(12.2)
– 
 (12.2)

Notes to the summarised financial information 

(i)  The summarised financial information is based on the amounts included in the IFRS financial statements of the associate or joint venture 
(ie 100% of the results or balances of the associate or joint venture, rather than the Group’s proportionate share), after the Group’s fair 
value adjustments.

(ii)  The amounts shown above for Zaldívar reflect a provisional estimate of the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired on 1 December 

2015. The consideration payable for the Group’s 50% stake in Zaldívar is subject to adjustments based on the net debt and working capital 
levels of Zaldívar at the completion date (see Note 20) and it is currently expected that these adjustments will be finalised during the first 
half of 2016, allowing a final determination of the total consideration and the fair value of the share of assets and liabilities acquired.

(iii)  Non-current liabilities at Alto Maipo include a loan related to the project finance and financial derivatives of $192.7 million and subordinated 

debt of $574.8.

154  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statements18 Available-for-sale investments

Balance at the beginning of the year 
Additions
Movement in fair value 
Reclassification
Disposal
Foreign currency exchange differences
Balance at the end of the year

2015 
$m
 15.6 
 0.2 
 (3.2)
 (9.4)
 (0.2)
 (0.3)
 2.7 

2014 
$m
 16.6 
 5.9 
 (6.1)
 – 
 – 
 (0.8)
 15.6 

Available-for-sale investments represent those investments which are not subsidiaries, associates or joint ventures and are not held for trading 
purposes. The fair value of all equity investments are based on quoted market prices.

The reclassification of $9.4 million is related to the acquisition of Duluth Metals Limited (“Duluth”). As at 31 December 2014, the Group held 
17.2% of Duluth’s share capital, with a fair value of $9.4 million, accounted for as an available-for-sale investment. As explained in Note 19, 
in January 2015 the Group completed its acquisition of 100% of Duluth. Duluth held a 60% stake in Twin Metals Minnesota Limited (“Twin 
Metals”), a company in which the Group held a 40% stake as at December 2014. Accordingly, as a consequence of the acquisition of Duluth 
the Group had a 100% interest in Duluth and, as a result of this, a 100% interest in Twin Metals. The principal asset of Twin Metals is its 
copper-nickel-PGM deposit in north-eastern Minnesota, and the transaction has accordingly been accounted for as the acquisition by the 
Group of the remaining 60% interest in that asset, with this $9.4 million balance forming part of the total consideration of that acquisition. 
From January 2015, Twin Metals has therefore been consolidated as a 100% subsidiary of the Group, with this $9.4 million balance forming 
part of the total consideration reflected in the accounting for the acquisition of the subsidiary.

19 Duluth Metals Limited transaction

In January 2015, the Group completed its acquisition of 100% of Duluth Metals Limited (“Duluth”). The principal asset of Duluth was its 60% 
stake in Twin Metals Minnesota Limited (“Twin Metals”), a company in which the Group held the remaining 40% stake as at December 2014. 
The principal asset of Twin Metals is its copper-nickel-PGM deposit in north-eastern Minnesota, and the transaction has accordingly been 
accounted for as the acquisition by the Group of the remaining 60% interest in that asset.

Immediately prior to the completion of the transaction the Group held 17.2% of Duluth’s share capital. The fair value of the consideration 
transferred to acquire the remaining 82.8% of the share capital of Duluth in January 2015 was $44.3 million, reflecting the agreed acquisition 
price of C$0.45 per share. In addition, transaction costs of $6.3 million have been included as part of the cost of the asset acquisition. 
The carrying value of the Group’s existing investment in associate balance relating to its 40% interest in Twin Metals at the date of the 
transaction in January 2015 was $67.4 million, and the carrying value of the Group’s existing available-for-sale investment balance relating 
to its 17.2% holding of Duluth’s share capital at that date was $9.4 million. As part of the acquisition agreement the Group also agreed to 
redeem convertible debentures previously issued by Duluth at a cash cost of $31.7 million, and has also acquired the other sundry net liabilities 
of Duluth.

This has resulted in the Group consolidating 100% of the assets and liabilities relating to Twin Metals with effect from January 2015. 
The principal assets recognised at that date were an intangible asset balance of $150.1 million reflecting the value of the mining property 
assets, and a property, plant and equipment balance of $20.8 million relating to land and buildings. In addition, a liability of $31.7 million was 
recognised in respect of the Duluth convertible debentures, which were subsequently redeemed by the Group, along with $11.8 million of 
other sundry net liabilities of Duluth and Twin Metals.

20 Compañia Minera Zaldívar SpA transaction

On 1 December 2015, Antofagasta completed its acquisition of a 50% stake in Compañia Minera Zaldívar SpA (“Zaldívar”) from Barrick Gold 
Corporation (“Barrick”), pursuant to an agreement entered into on 30 July 2015. As a result, Antofagasta has become operator of the Zaldívar 
mine. Zaldívar is an open-pit, heap-leach copper mine located in northern Chile, which produces approximately 100,000 tonnes of copper 
cathodes annually. 

Given that Antofagasta and Barrick have joint control over Zaldívar, Antofagasta is accounting for its 50% stake in Zaldívar as a joint venture. 

Total consideration for the transaction was $1,005 million, subject to adjustments based on the net debt and working capital levels of Zaldívar 
at the completion date. The consideration was wholly in cash, with $980 million payable upon closing (subject to the net debt and working 
capital adjustments), and five annual payments of $5 million per year, starting in 2016. Provisional estimated adjustments in respect of the 
net debt and working capital levels of Zaldívar at 1 December 2015 resulted in a provisional reduction in the consideration of $10.3 million to 
$994.7 million. Including capitalised acquisition costs of $7.0 million the initial investment in joint venture balance is therefore $1,001.7 million.

It is currently expected that the net debt and working capital adjustments will be finalised during the first half of 2016, allowing a final 
determination of the total consideration and the fair value of the share of assets and liabilities acquired.

Antofagasta plc  155

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT21 Inventories

Current:
Raw materials and consumables
Work-in-progress
Finished goods

Non-current:
Work-in-progress

Total

2015 
$m

 162.0 
 97.7 
 37.4 
 297.1 

 263.9 
 263.9 
 561.0 

2014 
$m

 177.9 
 136.7 
 67.9 
 382.5 

 247.8 
 247.8 
 630.3 

The amount of write down of inventory related to Net Realisable Value (“NRV”) recognised as an expense was $17.7 million at 31 December 
2015 (2014 – nil).

Non-current work-in-progress represents inventory expected to be processed more than 12 months after the balance sheet date.

22 Trade and other receivables

Trade and other receivables do not generally carry any interest, are principally short term in nature and are normally started at their nominal 
value less any impairment.

Trade receivables
Other receivables
Loans provided to associates and joint ventures

Due in one year

Due after one year

2015 
$m
 382.8 
 222.0 
 – 
 604.8 

2014 
$m
 545.6 
 264.7 
 – 
 810.3 

2015 
$m
– 
76.6 
216.3 
 292.9 

2014 
$m
 0.5 
 86.6 
 152.4 
 239.5 

2015 
$m
 382.8 
 298.6 
 216.3 
 897.7 

Total

2014 
$m
 546.1 
 351.3 
 152.4 
 1,049.8 

The largest balances of trade receivables are held with equity participants in the key mining projects. Many other significant trade receivables 
are secured by letters of credit or other forms of security. The average credit period given on sale of goods and rendering of service is 41 days 
(2014 – 37 days). There is no material element which is interest-bearing. Trade receivables include mark-to-market adjustments in respect of 
provisionally priced sales of copper and molybdenum concentrates which remain open as to final pricing. Where these have resulted in credit 
balances, they have been reclassified to trade payables.

156  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statementsMovements in the provision for doubtful debts were as follows:

Balance at the beginning of the year
Charge for the year
Amounts written off
Disposal of subsidiaries
Unused amounts reversed
Foreign currency exchange difference
Balance at the end of the year

The ageing analysis of the trade receivables balance is as follows:

2015 
$m
(4.9)
(0.1)
– 
3.9 
0.1 
– 
(1.0)

2014 
$m
 (5.6)
 (0.2)
 – 
 – 
 0.4 
 0.5 
(4.9)

2015
2014

Neither past due 
nor impaired 
$m
 892.4 
 1,035.4 

Up to 3 months 
past due 
$m
 1.0 
 7.5 

Past due but not impaired

3–6 months 
past due 
$m
 – 
 1.1 

More than 6 
months past due 
$m
 4.3 
 5.8 

Total 
$m
 897.7 
 1,049.8 

With respect to the trade receivables that are neither past due nor impaired, there are no indications that the debtors will not meet their 
payment obligations. The carrying value of the trade receivables recorded in the financial statements represents the Group’s maximum 
exposure to credit risk. The Group does not hold any collateral as security.

At 31 December 2015, the other receivables include $35.3 million (2014 – $28.4 million) relating to prepayments.

23 Cash, cash equivalents and liquid investments

The fair value of cash, cash equivalents and liquid investments is not materially different from the carrying values presented. The credit 
risk on cash and cash equivalents is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit ratings assigned by international credit-
rating agencies.

Cash, cash equivalents and liquid investments was comprised of:

Cash and cash equivalents 
Liquid investments 

At 31 December 2015 and 2014, there is no cash which is subject to restriction.

The currency exposure of cash, cash equivalents and liquid investments was as follows:

US dollars
Chilean pesos
Australian dollars
Sterling
Other

2015 
$m
807.5 
924.1 
 1,731.6 

2015 
$m
1,492.3 
237.5 
0.2 
0.5 
1.1 
 1,731.6 

2014 
$m
 845.4 
 1,529.1 
 2,374.5 

2014 
$m
 2,065.3 
 307.7 
 0.3 
 0.2 
 1.0 
 2,374.5 

Antofagasta plc  157

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT24 Borrowings

a) Analysis by type of borrowing

Borrowings may be analysed by business segment and type as follows:

Los Pelambres 
Corporate loans 
Short-term loan 
Finance leases 
Centinela 
Project financing (senior debt) 
Shareholder loan (subordinated debt) 
Short-term loan 
Finance leases 
Antucoya 
Project financing (senior debt) 
Shareholder loan (subordinated debt) 
Short-term loan 
Finance leases 
Corporate and other items 
Finance leases 
Railway and other transport services 
Long-term loans 
Finance leases 
Water concession 
Long-term loan 
Andino 
Bonds 
Short-term loans 
Preference shares 
Total 

Notes

(i)
(ii)
(iii) 

(iv)
(v)
(vi)
(vii) 

(viii)
(ix)

(x) 

(xi) 

(xii)
(xiii)

(xiv) 
(xv)
(xvi)
(xvii)
(xviii)

2015 
 $m 

 (52.3)
 (312.1)
 (7.9)

 (889.8)
 (174.5)
 (200.0)
 – 

 (630.2)
 (308.7)
 (30.0)
 – 

2014  
$m

(87.2)
(206.0)
(12.5)

(884.1)
(167.0)
– 
(0.1)

 (572.7)
 (241.7)
 – 
 (1.1)

 (24.6)

(29.7)

 (119.1)
 (2.9)

(148.6)
(3.2)

 – 

(14.6)

 – 
 – 
 (3.0)
 (2,755.1)

 (3.0)
 (1.5)
(3.1)
 (2,376.1)

(i)  Corporate loans at Los Pelambres are unsecured and US dollar denominated. These loans have a remaining term of 2.5 years and have an 

interest rate of LIBOR six-month plus margins of between 0.9%–1.6%. 

(ii)  Short-term loan (PAE) is US dollar denominated, and comprises a working capital loan for an average period of one year and has an 

interest rate of LIBOR six-month rate plus margins of between 0.05%–0.16%.

(iii)  Finance leases at Los Pelambres are US dollar denominated, comprising $10.1 million at a fixed rate of 0.47% with a remaining duration 

of 2.5 years. 

(iv)  Senior debt at Centinela is US dollar denominated, and comprises $887.3 million in respect of syndicated loans. These loans are for a 
remaining term of 4.5 years and have an interest rate of LIBOR six-month plus 1%. The loans are subject to financial covenants which 
require that specified net debt to EBITDA and EBITDA to finance expense ratios are maintained.

The Group has used interest rate swaps to swap the floating rate interest for fixed rate interest. At 31 December 2015, the current 
notional amount hedged of the senior debt at Centinela was $105.0 million. 

(v)  Long-term US dollar denominated subordinated debt provided to Centinela by Marubeni Corporation, with a duration of 6.5 years and a 

weighted average interest rate of LIBOR six-month plus 3.75%. Long-term subordinated debt provided by Group companies to Centinela 
has been eliminated on consolidation.

(vi)  Short-term loan (PAE) is US dollar denominated, and comprises a working capital loan for an average period of one year and has an 

interest rate of LIBOR six-month plus margins of between 0.1%–0.3%.

(vii)  Finance leases at Centinela are US dollar denominated, with a remaining duration of 0.5 years and with an average interest fixed rate 

at approximately 1.3%. 

(viii)  Senior debt at Antucoya is US dollar denominated, and comprises $623.3 million in respect of syndicated loans. These loans are for 

a remaining term of 11.5 years and have an interest rate of LIBOR 180 days plus 1.9%. 

(ix)  Long-term US dollar denominated subordinated debt provided to Antucoya by Marubeni Corporation, with a duration of 11.5 years and 

an interest rate of LIBOR six-month plus 3.65%. Long-term subordinated debt provided by Group companies to Antucoya has been 
eliminated on consolidation.

158  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statements 
(x)  Short-term loan is US dollar denominated, and comprises a working capital loan for an average period of one year and has an interest rate 

of LIBOR six-month plus 0.9%.

(xi) 

 Finance leases at Antucoya are US dollar denominated, with a maximum remaining duration of 0.5 years and with an average interest rate 
at approximately LIBOR three-month plus 2.89%.

(xii)  Finance leases at Corporate and other items are denominated in Unidades de Fomento (ie inflation-linked Chilean pesos) and have 

a remaining duration of 12.5 years and are fixed rate with an average interest rate of 5.29%.

(xiii)   Long-term loans at Railway and other transport services are US dollar denominated, and mainly comprise a loan for $148.6 million with 

a duration of 4.5 years and with an interest rate of LIBOR six-month plus 0.48%.The Group has used interest rate swaps to swap the 
floating rate interest for fixed rate interest. At 31 December 2015, the current notional amount hedged of the long-term debt at Railway 
and other transport services was $120.0 million. 

(xiv)   Finance leasing at Railway and other transport services are Chilean pesos denominated, with a maximum remaining duration of 2.5 years 

and with a fixed interest rate of 4.8%.

(xv)   Long-term loan at ADASA denominated in Unidades de Fomento (ie inflation-linked Chilean pesos) was derecognised as part of the 

ADASA sale.

(xvi)  Bond at Andino (FCA) was derecognised as part of the FCA sale.

(xvii)  Short-term loans at Andino (FCA) were derecognised as part of the FCA sale.

(xviii)  The preference shares are sterling-denominated and issued by the Company. There were two million shares of £1 each authorised, 

issued and fully paid at 31 December 2014. The preference shares are non-redeemable and are entitled to a fixed cumulative dividend 
of 5% per annum. On winding up they are entitled to repayment and any arrears of dividend in priority to ordinary shareholders, but are 
not entitled to participate further in any surplus. Each preference share carries 100 votes in any general meeting of the Company.

b) Analysis of borrowings by currency

The exposure of the Group’s borrowings to currency risk is as follows:

At 31 December 2015
Corporate loans
Other loans (including short-term loans)
Finance leases
Preference shares

At 31 December 2014
Corporate loans
Other loans (including short-term loans)
Finance leases
Preference shares

Pesos 
$m
– 
– 
(27.4)
– 
 (27.4)

Pesos 
$m
 – 
 – 
 (33.3)
 – 
 (33.3)

Sterling 
$m
– 
– 
– 
(3.0)
 (3.0)

Sterling 
$m
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (3.1)
 (3.1)

 Other 
$m
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 Other  
$m
 – 
 (16.1)
 – 
 – 
 (16.1)

US dollars 
$m
(1,572.3)
(1,144.4)
(8.0)
– 
 (2,724.7)

US dollars 
$m
 (1,544.0)
 (766.3)
 (13.3)
 – 
 (2,323.6)

2015 
Total 
$m
 (1,572.3)
 (1,144.4)
 (35.4)
 (3.0)
 (2,755.1)

2014 
Total 
$m
 (1,544.0)
 (782.4)
 (46.6)
 (3.1)
 (2,376.1)

Antofagasta plc  159

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT24 Borrowings continued

c) Analysis of borrowings by type of interest rate

The exposure of the Group’s borrowings to interest rate risk is as follows:

At 31 December 2015
Corporate loans
Other loans (including short-term loans)
Finance leases
Preference shares

At 31 December 2014
Corporate loans
Other loans (including short-term loans)
Finance leases
Preference shares

 Fixed 
$m 
 – 
 – 
 (27.5)
 (3.0)
 (30.5)

 Fixed  
$m 
 – 
 (22.1)
 (45.3)
 (3.1)
 (70.5)

Floating 
$m
(1,572.3)
(1,144.4)
(7.9)
– 
 (2,724.6)

Floating 
$m
 (1,544.0)
 (760.3)
 (1.3)
 – 
 (2,305.6)

2015  
Total 
$m
 (1,572.3)
 (1,144.4)
 (35.4)
 (3.0)
 (2,755.1)

 2014 
 Total 
$m
 (1,544.0)
 (782.4)
 (46.6)
 (3.1)
 (2,376.1)

The above floating rate corporate loans include the project financing at Centinela and long-term loans at the Railway and other transport 
services, where the Group has used interest rate swaps to swap the floating rate interest for fixed rate interest. At 31 December 2015, the 
current notional amount hedged of the senior debt at Centinela was $105.0 million (2014 – $140.0 million) and the current notional amount 
hedged of the long-term loans at Railway and other transport services was $120.0 million (2014 – $150.0 million).

d) Maturity profile

The maturity profile of the Group’s borrowings is as follows:

At 31 December 2015
Corporate loans
Other loans 
Finance leases
Preference shares

At 31 December 2014
Corporate loans
Other loans 
Finance leases
Preference shares

Within  
1 year 
$m
(181.8)
(571.6)
(5.5)
– 
 (758.9)

 Within 
 1 year 
$m
 (34.8)
 (241.2)
 (8.5)
 – 
 (284.5)

Between  
1–2 years 
$m
(315.9)
(59.7)
(7.9)
– 
 (383.5)

Between  
1–2 years 
$m
 (209.5)
 (35.0)
 (7.5)
 – 
 (252.0)

Between 
 2–5 years 
$m
(684.1)
(29.9)
(22.0)
– 
 (736.0)

Between  
2–5 years 
$m
 (996.9)
 (97.0)
 (10.3)
 – 
 (1,104.2)

 After 
 5 years 
$m 
 (390.5)
 (483.2)
 – 
 (3.0)
 (876.7)

 After 
5 years 
$m 
 (302.8)
 (409.2)
 (20.3)
 (3.1)
 (735.4)

2015 
Total 
$m
 (1,572.3)
 (1,144.4)
 (35.4)
 (3.0)
 (2,755.1)

2014 
Total 
$m
 (1,544.0)
 (782.4)
 (46.6)
 (3.1)
 (2,376.1)

The amounts included above for finance leases are based on the present value of minimum lease payments.

160  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statementsThe total minimum lease payments for these finance leases may be analysed as follows:

Within 1 year
Between 1–2 years
Between 2–5 years
After 5 years
Total minimum lease payment
Less amounts representing finance charges
Present value of minimum lease payment

2015 
$m
 (6.8)
 (9.0)
 (8.6)
 (19.6)
 (44.0)
 8.6 
 (35.4)

2014 
$m
 (10.4)
 (8.2)
 (14.2)
 (25.0)
 (57.8)
 11.3 
 (46.5)

All leases are on a fixed payment basis and no arrangements have been entered into for contingent rental payments.

e) Borrowings facilities

The undrawn committed borrowing facilities available at the end of each year, in respect of which all conditions precedent had been met 
at those dates, were as follows:

Expiring in one year or less
Expiring in more than one, but not more than two years
Expiring in more than two years

2015 
$m
 1,378.1 
 – 
– 

 1,378.1 

2014 
$m
1,563.2 
53.1 
15.4 

1,631.7 

The available facilities comprise general working capital facilities at the Group’s operating subsidiaries all of which were undrawn at the end 
of each year. Of these facilities, $1,351.7 million (2014 – $1,548.6 million) are denominated in US dollars, $26.4 million (2014 – $24.3 million) 
in Unidades de Fomento (ie inflation-linked Chilean pesos), nil (2014 – nil) in Euro and nil (2014 – $58.8 million) in Chilean pesos.

25 Trade and other payables

Trade payables
Other payables and accruals

Due in one year

Due after one year

2015 
$m
(207.6)
(271.3)
 (478.9)

2014 
$m
 (406.5)
 (387.3)
 (793.8)

2015 
$m
– 
(24.4)
 (24.4)

2014 
$m
–
 (4.8)
 (4.8)

2015 
 $m
 (207.6)
 (295.7)
 (503.3)

Total

2014 
$m
 (406.5)
 (392.1)
 (798.6)

Trade payables and accruals principally comprise amounts outstanding for trade purchases and ongoing costs.

The average credit period taken for trade purchases is 30 days (2014 – 48 days).

26 Financial instruments and financial risk management

a) Categories of financial instruments

The Group’s financial instruments, grouped according to the categories defined in IAS 39 “Financial instruments: Recognition and 
Measurement”, are as follows:

Financial assets
Derivatives in designated hedge accounting relationships
Available-for-sale investments
Loans and receivables at amortised cost (including cash and cash equivalents)
Fair value through profit and loss (liquid investments and mark-to-market debtors)
Financial liabilities
Derivatives in designated hedge accounting relationships
Financial liabilities measured at amortised cost
Fair value through profit and loss (mark-to-market payables)

2015 
$m

2014 
$m

 0.2 
 2.7 
 1,703.9 
 925.4 

 (3.5)
 (3,235.5)
 (22.9)
 (629.7)

 0.2 
 15.6 
 1,895.2 
 1,529.1 

 (11.0)
 (3,104.1)
 (70.6)
 254.4 

Antofagasta plc  161

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT26 Financial instruments and financial risk management continued

b) Fair value of financial instruments

The fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities are determined as follows:

• the fair values of financial assets and financial liabilities with standard terms and conditions and traded on active liquid markets are 

determined with reference to quoted market prices;

• the fair values of other financial assets and financial liabilities (excluding derivative instruments) are determined in accordance with generally 

accepted pricing models based on discounted cash flow analysis using prices from observable current market transactions; and

• the fair values of derivative instruments are calculated using quoted prices. Where such prices are not available, use is made of discounted 
cash flow analysis based on the applicable yield curve for the duration of the instruments for non-optional derivatives, and option pricing 
models for optional derivatives.

The fair value of each category of financial asset and liability is not materially different from the carrying values presented for either 2015 
or 2014.

Financial assets and liabilities measurement as fair value through profit and loss are designated as such upon initial recognition.

The following table provides an analysis of the financial instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair value, 
grouped into levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable:

• level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

• level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the 

asset or liability, either directly (ie as prices) or indirectly (ie derived from prices); and

• level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability that are not based 

on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

Financial assets
Derivatives in designated hedge accounting relationships
Available-for-sale investments
Debtors mark-to-market
Fair value through profit and loss
Financial liabilities
Derivatives in designated hedge accounting relationships
Creditors mark-to-market

There were no transfers between level 1 and 2 during the year.

c) Financial risk management

Level 1 
$m

Level 2 
$m

Level 3 
$m

 – 
 2.7 
 – 
 925.4 

 – 
 – 
 928.1 

 0.2 
 – 
 1.3 
 – 

 (3.5)
 (22.9)
 (24.9)

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 

 – 
 – 
 – 

Total 
2015 
$m

 0.2 
 2.7 
 1.3 
 925.4 

Total 
2014 
$m

 0.2 
 15.6 
 – 
 1,529.1 

 (3.5)
 (22.9)
 903.2 

 (11.0)
 (70.6)
 1,463.3 

The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including commodity price risk, currency risk, interest rate risk and 
other price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. The Group uses derivative financial instruments, in general to reduce exposure to commodity 
price, foreign exchange and interest rate movements. The Group does not use such derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes.

The Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing the Group’s risk management framework. The Audit and Risk Committee assists 
the Board with its review of the effectiveness of the risk management process, and monitoring of key risks and mitigations. Internal Audit 
undertakes both regular and ad-hoc reviews of risk management controls and procedures, the results of which are reported to the Audit and 
Risk Committee.

(i) Commodity price risk
The Group generally sells its copper and molybdenum concentrate and copper cathodes output at prevailing market prices, subject to final 
pricing adjustments which may range from one to five months after delivery to the customer, and it is therefore exposed to changes in market 
prices for copper and molybdenum both in respect of future sales and previous sales which remain open as to final pricing. In 2015, sales 
of copper and molybdenum concentrate and copper cathodes represented 90.7% of Group turnover and therefore revenues and earnings 
depend significantly on LME and realised copper prices.

The Group uses futures, min-max instruments and options to manage its exposure to copper prices. These instruments may give rise to 
accounting volatility due to fluctuations in their fair value prior to the maturity of the instruments. Details of those copper and molybdenum 
concentrate sales and copper cathode sales which remain open as to final pricing are given in Note 5. Details of commodity rate derivatives 
entered into by the Group are given in Note 26(d).

162  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statementsCommodity price sensitivity
The sensitivity analysis below shows the impact of a movement in the copper price on the financial instruments held as at the reporting 
date. A movement in the copper forward price as at the reporting date will affect the final pricing adjustment to sales which remain open at 
that date, impacting the trade receivables balance and consequently the income statement. A movement in the copper forward price will 
also affect the valuation of commodity derivatives, impacting the hedging reserve in equity if the fair value movement relates to an effective 
designated cash flow hedge, and impacting the income statement if it does not. The calculation assumes that all other variables, such as 
currency rates, remain constant.

• If the copper forward price as at the reporting date had increased by 10 cents, net earnings would have increased by $18.5 million 

(2014 – increase by $16.5 million) and hedging reserves in equity would have decreased less than $0.4 million (2014 – decrease less 
than $0.1 million).

• If the copper forward price as at the reporting date had decreased by 10 cents, net earnings would have decreased by $17.2 million (2014 – 

decrease by $16.5 million) and hedging reserves in equity would have increased less than $0.4 million (2014 – increase less than $0.1 million).

In addition, a movement in the average copper price during the year would impact revenue and earnings. A 10 cents change in the average 
copper price during the year would have affected net earnings by $62.5 million (2014 – $64.7 million) and earnings per share by 6.3 cents 
(2014 – 6.6 cents), based on production volumes in 2015, without taking into account the effects of provisional pricing and hedging activity. 
A $1 change in the average molybdenum price for the year would have affected net earnings by $9.4 million (2014 – $7.0 million), and earnings 
per share by 1.0 cents (2014 – 0.7 cents), based on production volumes in 2015, and without taking into account the effects of provisional 
pricing. A $100 change in the average gold price for the year would have affected net earnings by $10.4 million (2014 – $9.7 million), and 
earnings per share by 1.1 cents (2014 – 1.0 cents), based on production volumes in 2015, and without taking into account the effects of 
provisional pricing.

(ii) Currency risk
The Group is exposed to a variety of currencies. The US dollar, however, is the currency in which the majority of the Group’s sales are 
denominated. Operating costs are influenced by the countries in which the Group’s operations are based (principally in Chile) as well as those 
currencies in which the costs of imported equipment and services are determined. After the US dollar, the Chilean peso is the most important 
currency influencing costs and to a lesser extent sales.

Given the significance of the US dollar to the Group’s operations, this is the presentational currency of the Group for internal and external 
reporting. The US dollar is also the currency for borrowing and holding surplus cash, although a portion of this may be held in other currencies, 
notably Chilean pesos and sterling, to meet short-term operational and capital commitments and dividend payments.

When considered appropriate, the Group uses forward exchange contracts and currency swaps to limit the effects of movements in exchange 
rates in foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities. The Group may also use these instruments to reduce currency exposure on future 
transactions and cash flows. Details of any exchange rate derivatives entered by the Group in the year are given in Note 26.(d).

The currency exposure of the Group’s cash, cash equivalents and liquid investments is given in Note 23, and the currency exposure of the 
Group’s borrowings is given in Note 26.b. The effects of exchange gains and losses included in the income statement are given in Note 5. 
Exchange differences on translation of the net assets of entities with a functional currency other than the US dollar (the most material of which 
is Aguas de Antofagasta S.A.) are taken to the currency translation reserve and are disclosed in the Consolidated statement of changes in 
equity on page 123.

Currency sensitivity
The sensitivity analysis below shows the impact of a movement in the US dollar/Chilean peso exchange rate on the financial instruments held 
as at the reporting date.

The impact on profit or loss is as a result of the retranslation of monetary financial instruments (including cash, cash equivalents, liquid 
investments, trade receivables, trade payables and borrowings). The impact on equity is as a result of changes in the fair value of derivative 
instruments which are effective designated cash flow hedges, and changes in the fair value of available-for-sale equity investments. 
The calculation assumes that all other variables, such as interest rates, remain constant.

If the US dollar had strengthened by 10% against the Chilean peso as at the reporting date, net earnings would have decreased by $2.9 million 
(2014 – decrease by $6.2 million); and hedging reserves in equity would have decreased by nil (2014 – decrease by $6.1 million). If the US dollar 
had weakened by 10% against the Chilean peso as at the reporting date, net earnings would have increased by $1.7 million (2014 – increased 
by $15.2 million); and hedging reserves in equity would have increased by nil (2014 – increase by $ 0.7 million).

(iii) Interest rate risk
The Group’s policy is generally to borrow and invest cash at floating rates. Fluctuations in interest rates may impact the Group’s net finance 
income or cost, and to a lesser extent on the value of financial assets and liabilities. The Group occasionally uses interest rate swaps and collars 
to manage interest rate exposures on a portion of its existing borrowings. Details of any interest rate derivatives entered into by the Group are 
given in Note 26(d)(i).

Interest rate exposure of the Group’s borrowings is given in Note 24.

Antofagasta plc  163

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT26 Financial instruments and financial risk management continued

Interest rate sensitivity
The sensitivity analysis below shows the impact of a movement in interest rates in relation to the financial instruments held as at the reporting 
date. The impact on profit or loss reflects the impact on annual interest expense in respect of the floating rate borrowings held as at the 
reporting date, and the impact on annual interest income in respect of cash and cash equivalents held as at the reporting date. The impact 
on equity is as a result of changes in the fair value of derivative instruments which are effective designated cash flow hedges. The calculation 
assumes that all other variables, such as currency rates, remain constant. If the interest rate increased by 1%, based on the financial 
instruments held as at the reporting date, net earnings would have increased by $4.4 million (2014 – increase by $2.5 million) and hedging 
reserves in equity would have increased by $0.7 million (2014 – increase by $0.3 million). This does not include the effect on the income 
statement of changes in the fair value of the Group’s liquid investments relating to the underlying investments in fixed income instruments.

(iv) Other price risk
The Group is exposed to equity price risk on its available-for-sale equity investments.

Equity price sensitivity
The sensitivity analysis below shows the impact of a movement in the equity values of the available-for-sale financial assets held as at the 
reporting date.

If the value of the available-for-sale investments had increased by 10% as at the reporting date, equity would have increased by $0.3 million 
(2014 – increase by $1.6 million). There would have been no impact on the income statement.

(v) Cash flow risk
The Group’s future cash flows depend on a number of factors, including commodity prices, production and sales levels, operating costs, 
capital expenditure levels and financial income and costs. Its cash flows are therefore subject to the exchange, interest rate and commodity 
price risks described above as well as operational factors and input costs. To reduce the risk of potential short-term disruptions to the supply 
of key inputs such as electricity and sulphuric acid, the Group enters into medium- and long-term supply contracts to help ensure continuity 
of supply. Long-term electricity supply contracts are in place at each of the Group’s mines, in most cases linking the cost of electricity under 
the contract to the current cost of electricity on the Chilean grids. The Group seeks to lock in supply of sulphuric acid for future periods of a year 
or longer, with contract prices agreed in the latter part of the year, to be applied to purchases of acid in the following year. Further information 
on production and sales levels and operating costs are given in the Operational review on page 39.

(vi) Credit risk
Credit risk arises from trade and other receivables, cash, cash equivalents, liquid investments and derivative financial instruments. The Group’s 
credit risk is primarily to trade receivables. The credit risk on cash, cash equivalents and liquid investments and on derivative financial 
instruments is limited as the counterparties are financial institutions with high credit ratings assigned by international credit agencies.

All customers are subject to credit review procedures, including the use of external credit ratings where available. Credit is provided only 
within set limits, which are regularly reviewed. The main customers are recurrent with a good credit history during the years while they have 
been customers.

Outstanding receivable balances are monitored on an ongoing basis.

The carrying value of financial assets recorded in the financial statements represents the maximum exposure to credit risk. The amounts 
presented in the balance sheet are net of allowances for any doubtful receivables.

As detailed in Note 17, the Group has provided a total of $229.7 million of loan financing to its associated company Alto Maipo SpA (“Alto 
Maipo”). This loan financing forms part of the Group’s total funding of the Alto Maipo project, along with the capital contributions the Group 
has made to Alto Maipo, and the recovery of this balance will derive from the cash flows generated by the project once construction has 
completed and the project is operational.

(vii) Liquidity risk
The Group manages liquidity risk by maintaining adequate cash reserves and financing facilities, through the review of forecast and actual 
cash flows.

The Group typically holds surplus cash in demand or term deposits or highly liquid investments, which typically can be accessed or liquidated 
within 24 hours.

The majority of borrowings comprise corporate loans at Los Pelambres, repayable over periods of up to three years, corporate loans at 
Centinela Concentrates, repayable over approximately seven years and Antucoya long-term subordinated debt repayable over approximately 
12 years.

At the end of 2015, the Group was in a net debt position (2014 – net debt position), as disclosed in Note 33.(c). Details of cash, cash 
equivalents and liquid investments are given in Note 23, while details of borrowings including the maturity profile are given in Note 24.(d). 
Details of undrawn committed borrowing facilities are also given in Note 24.(e).

164  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statementsThe following table analyses the maturity of the Group’s contractual commitments in respect of its financial liabilities and derivative financial 
instruments. The table has been drawn up based on the undiscounted cash flows on the earliest date on which the Group can be required 
to pay. The table includes both interest and principal cash flows.

At 31 December 2015
Corporate loans
Other loans (including short-term loans)
Finance leases
Preference shares*
Trade and other payables
Derivative financial instruments

At 31 December 2014
Corporate loans
Other loans (including short-term loans)
Finance leases
Preference shares
Trade and other payables
Derivative financial instruments

Less than 
6 months 
$m
 (309.0)
 (200.2)
 (2.8)
 – 
 (477.0)
 (1.0)
 (990.0)

Less than 
6 months 
$m
 (41.9)
 (208.5)
 (4.5)
 – 
 (785.8)
 (5.6)
 (1,046.3)

Between  
6 months  
to 1 year 
$m
 (286.5)
 (29.6)
 (2.7)
 – 
 (1.9)
 (1.1)
 (321.8)

Between  
6 months  
to 1 year 
$m
 (49.7)
 (34.8)
 (4.6)
 – 
 (8.0)
 (1.9)
 (99.0)

Between  
1–2 years 
$m
 (276.9)
 (59.5)
 (7.9)
 (3.0)
 (23.7)
 (1.5)
 (372.5)

Between  
1–2 years 
$m
 (357.8)
 (36.7)
 (7.6)
 (3.1)
 (4.2)
 (2.4)
 (411.8)

After  
2 years 
$m
 (1,231.4)
 (708.9)
 (22.0)
 – 
 (0.7)
 – 
 (1,963.0)

After  
2 years 
$m
 (1,568.9)
 (607.8)
 (29.9)
 – 
 (0.6)
 (1.1)
 (2,208.3)

2015 
 Total 
$m
 (2,103.8)
 (998.2)
 (35.4)
 (3.0)
 (503.3)
 (3.6)
 (3,647.3)

2014 
 Total 
$m
 (2,018.3)
 (887.8)
 (46.6)
 (3.1)
 (798.6)
 (11.0)
 (3,765.4)

*  The preference shares pay an annual dividend of £100,000 ($160,334) in perpetuity, and accordingly it is not possible to determine total amounts payable for periods without a fixed end date.

(viii) Capital risk management
The Group’s objectives are to return capital to shareholders while leaving the Group with sufficient funds to progress its short-, medium- and 
long-term growth plans as well as preserving the financial flexibility to take advantage of opportunities as they may arise. This policy remains 
unchanged. The Group monitors capital on the basis of net cash (defined as cash, cash equivalents and liquid investments less borrowings) 
which was a net debt by $1,023.5 million at 31 December 2015 (2014 – net debt $1.6 million), as well as gross cash (defined as cash, cash 
equivalents and liquid investments) which was $1,731.6 million at 31 December 2015 (2014 – $2,374.5 million). The Group’s total cash is 
held in a combination of on demand and term deposits and managed funds investing in high-quality, fixed income instruments. Some of the 
managed funds have been instructed to invest in instruments with average maturities greater than 90 days. These amounts are presented as 
liquid investments but are included in net cash for monitoring and decision-making purposes. The Group has a risk averse investment strategy. 
The Group’s borrowings are detailed in Note 24. Additional project finance or shareholder loans are taken out by the operating subsidiaries 
to fund projects on a case-by-case basis.

d) Derivative financial instruments

The Group occasionally uses derivative financial instruments, in general to reduce its exposure to commodity price, foreign exchange and 
interest rate movements. The Group does not use such derivative instruments for speculative trading purposes.

The Group has applied the hedge accounting provisions of IAS 39 “Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement”. Changes in the 
fair value of derivative financial instruments that are designated and effective as hedges of future cash flows have been recognised directly 
in equity, with such amounts subsequently recognised in the income statement in the period when the hedged item affects profit or loss. 
Any ineffective portion is recognised immediately in the income statement. Realised gains and losses on commodity derivatives recognised 
in the income statement have been recorded within revenue. The time value element of changes in the fair value of derivative options is 
excluded from the designated hedging relationship, and is therefore recognised directly in the income statement within other finance items. 
Realised gains and losses and changes in the fair value of exchange and interest derivatives are recognised within other finance items for 
those derivatives where hedge accounting has not been applied. When hedge accounting has been applied the realised gains and losses 
on exchange and interest derivatives are recognised within other finance items and interest expense respectively.

Antofagasta plc  165

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT26 Financial instruments and financial risk management continued

(i) Mark-to-market adjustments and income statement impact
The gains or losses recorded in the income statement or in reserves during the year, and the fair value recorded on the balance sheet at the 
end of the year in respect of derivatives are as follows:

For the year ended 31 December 2015

Impact on income statement

Impact on reserves

Fair value recorded 
on balance sheet

Realised 
gains/(losses) 
2015 
$m

Gains resulting from 
mark-to-market 
adjustments on 
hedging instruments 
2015 
$m

Gains/(Losses) 
resulting from 
mark-to-market 
adjustments on 
hedging instruments 
2015 
$m

Total net 
gain/(loss) 
2015 
$m

Net financial 
asset/(liability)
31 December 
2015
$m

Commodity derivatives
Centinela
Exchange derivatives
Antucoya
Interest derivatives
Centinela
Railway and other transport services

For the year ended 31 December 2014

(0.1)

0.2 

(3.6)
(2.3)
(5.8)

– 

– 

– 
– 
– 

(0.1)

0.2 

(3.6)
(2.3)
(5.8)

(0.1)

4.0 

3.1 
0.5 
7.5 

0.1 

– 

(2.9)
(0.5)
(3.3)

Impact on income statement

Impact on reserves

Fair value recorded on 
balance sheet

Realised 
gains/(losses) 
2014 
$m

Losses resulting from 
mark-to-market 
adjustments on  
hedging instruments 
2014 
$m

Gains/(losses) resulting 
from mark-to-market 
adjustments on 
hedging instruments 
2014 
$m

Total net 
gain/(loss)
2014 
$m

Net financial 
asset/(liability) 
31 December 2014 
$m

0.1 
18.3 

(4.1)
– 

(4.8)
(1.0)
8.5 

– 
(5.0)

– 
(0.1)

– 
– 
(5.1)

0.1 
13.3 

(4.1)
(0.1)

(4.8)
(1.0)
3.4 

0.6 
(6.2)

(1.7)
(3.8)

3.4 
(1.0)
(8.7)

0.2 
– 

– 
(4.0)

(6.0)
(1.0)
(10.8)

Commodity derivatives
Centinela
Michilla 
Exchange derivatives
Michilla
Antucoya
Interest derivatives
Centinela
Railway and other transport services

The gains/(losses) recognised in reserves are disclosed before non-controlling interests and tax.

At December 2015, the credit risk implicit in the liability is $0.1 million (2014 – $0.1 million). The differences between the carrying amount and 
the amount the entity would be contractually required to pay at the maturity date are not material.

The net financial asset/(liability) resulting from the balance sheet mark-to-market adjustments are analysed as follows:

Analysed between:
Current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities

2015 
$m
0.2 
(2.0)
(1.5)
(3.3)

2014 
$m
0.2 
(7.5)
(3.5)
(10.8)

166  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statements(ii) Outstanding derivative financial instruments
Commodity derivatives
The Group periodically uses commodity derivatives to reduce its exposure to fluctuation in the copper price.

a) Futures – arbitrage
The Group also has futures for copper production to swap COMEX price exposure for LME price exposure according to the Group’s 
pricing policy.

Centinela 

At 31 December 2015
Copper production  
hedged 
tonnes
300

For instruments held at 31 December 2015
Covering a 
period up to:

Weighted average remaining 
period from 1 January 2016
Months
0.1

31/1/2016

b) Interest derivatives
The Group periodically uses interest derivatives to reduce its exposure to interest rate movements.

Interest rate swaps
The Group has used interest rate swaps to swap the floating rate interest relating to the Centinela project financing and long-term loans at the 
Railway for fixed rate interest. At 31 December 2015, the Group had entered into the contracts outlined below.

Centinela Concentrates
Railway and other transport services

Start date
15/2/2011
12/8/2014

Maturity date
15/8/2018
12/8/2019

Maximum notional 
amount 
$m
 105.0 
 120.0 

Weighted average 
fixed rate 
%
 3.372 
 1.634 

The actual notional amount hedged depends upon the amount of the related debt currently outstanding.

27 Long-term incentive plan

The long-term incentive plan (the “Plan”) was introduced at the end of 2011. Awards granted pursuant to the Plan form part of the 
remuneration of senior managers in the Group. Directors are not eligible to participate in the Plan.

Details of the Awards

Under the Plan, the Group may grant awards based on the price of ordinary shares in the Company and cannot grant awards over 
actual shares.

• Restricted Awards: These awards are conditional rights to receive cash payment by reference to a specified number of the Company’s 

ordinary shares, subject to the relevant employee remaining employed by the Group when the Restricted Award vests; and

• Performance Awards: These awards are conditional rights to receive cash payment by reference to a specified number of the Company’s 
ordinary shares subject to both the satisfaction of a performance condition and the relevant employee remaining employed by the Group 
when the Performance Award vests.

When awards vest under the Plan, participants become entitled to receive a cash payment by reference to the number and portion of 
awards that have vested and the market value of the Company’s ordinary shares on the date of vesting. There is no exercise price payable 
by participants in respect of the awards.

Restricted Awards can only vest in full if participants remain employed by the Group for three years from the date that Restricted Awards are 
granted. In ordinary circumstances, the first one-third of a Restricted Award will vest after one year, the second one-third will vest after two 
years and the remaining one-third will vest after three years. There are no performance criteria attached to Restricted Awards. The fair value 
of Restricted Awards granted under the Plan is recorded as a compensation expense over the vesting periods, with a corresponding liability 
recognised for the fair value of the liability at the end of each period until settled.

Performance Awards only vest if certain performance criteria are met. The performance criteria reflect a number of factors including total 
shareholder return, earnings levels, growth in the Group’s reserves and resources and project delivery targets. The fair value of Performance 
Awards under the Plan is recorded as a compensation expense over the vesting period, with a corresponding liability at the end of each period 
until settled.

A One-off Award was granted to Diego Hernández, the Group CEO, following his appointment during 2012. This award was granted for 
the same purpose as the awards granted under the LTI Plan but by reference to metrics which are specific to the participant’s role as CEO. 
The award vested during 2015. 

Antofagasta plc  167

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT 
27 Long-term incentive plan continued

Valuation process and accounting for the awards

The fair value of the awards is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The inputs into the Monte Carlo simulation model are 
as follows:

Weighted average forecast share price at vesting date
Expected volatility
Expected life of awards
Expected dividend yields
Risk free rate

2015
$10.07
27.31%
3 years
1.90%
0.13%

2014
$11.46
28.32%
3 years
2.45%
1.30%

Expected volatility was determined by calculating the historical volatility of the Group’s share price over the previous five years. The expected 
life of awards used in the model has been adjusted based on management’s best estimate for the effects of non-transferability and compliance 
of the objectives determined according to the characteristic of each plan.

The number of awards outstanding at the end of the year is as follows:

Outstanding at 1 January 2015
Granted during the year
Cancelled during the year
Payments during the year
Outstanding at 31 December 2015
Number of awards that have vested

Restricted 
Awards
 577,319 
 359,786 
 (64,123)
 (203,118)
 669,864 
 369,302 

Performance 
Awards
 787,222 
 359,786 
 (127,692)
 – 
 1,019,316 
 – 

One-off 
Award
 83,496 
 – 
 – 
 (83,496)
 – 
 – 

The Group has recorded a liability for $8.9 million at 31 December 2015, of which $3.4 million is due after more than one year (31 December 
2014 – $8.9 million, of which $4.9 million was due after more than one year) and total expenses of $4.0 million for the year (2014 – expense 
of $5.8 million). The intrinsic value is $8.9 million.

28 Post-employment benefit obligations

a) Defined contribution schemes

The Group operates defined contribution schemes for a limited number of employees. The amount charged to the income statement in 2015 
was $0.1 million (2014 – $0.2 million), representing the amount paid in the year. There were no outstanding amounts which remain payable at 
the end of either year.

b) Severance provisions

Employment terms at some of the Group’s operations provide for payment of a severance indemnity when an employment contract comes 
to an end. This is typically at the rate of one month for each year of service (subject in most cases to a cap as to the number of qualifying years 
of service) and based on final salary level. The severance indemnity obligation is treated as an unfunded defined benefit plan, and the obligation 
recognised is based on valuations performed by an independent actuary using the projected unit credit method, which are regularly updated. 
The obligation recognised in the balance sheet represents the present value of the severance indemnity obligation. Actuarial gains and losses 
are immediately recognised in other comprehensive income.

The most recent valuation was carried out in 2015 by Ernst & Young, a qualified actuary in Chile who is not connected with the Group.

168  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statements2015
4.8%
1.6%
8.6%

2015 
$m
(16.6)
(4.1)
15.5 
(5.2)

2015 
$m
(103.0)
(16.6)
2.3 
(3.6)
(4.1)
(0.3)
14.0 
8.9 
15.5 
(86.9)

2014
4.5%
2.6%
5.0%

2014 
$m
(17.2)
(3.5)
12.0 
(8.7)

2014 
$m
(91.2)
(17.2)
(18.0)
0.1 
(3.5)
1.1 
13.7 
– 
12.0 
(103.0)

The main assumptions used to determine the actuarial present value of benefit obligations were as follows:

Average nominal discount rate
Average rate of increase in salaries
Average staff turnover

Amounts included in the income statement in respect of severance provisions are as follows:

Current service cost (charge to operating profit)
Interest cost (charge to interest expenses)
Foreign exchange credit to other finance items
Total charge to income statement

Movement in the present value of severance provisions were as follows:

Balance at the beginning of the year
Current service cost
Actuarial gains/(losses) 
Charge capitalised
Interest cost
Reclassification
Paid in the year
Disposals of subsidiaries
Foreign currency exchange difference
Balance at the end of the year

Assumptions description
Discount rate

Nominal discount rate 
Reference rate name 
Governmental or corporate rate
Reference rating
Corresponds to an Issuance market (primary) or secondary market
Issuance currency associated to the reference rate
Date of determination of the reference interest rate
Source of the reference interest rate

31 December 2015
4.84%

31 December 2014
4.53%
20-year Chilean Central Bank Bonds 20-year Chilean Central Bank Bonds
Governmental
AA-/AA+
Secondary
Chilean peso
3 December 2014
Bloomberg

Governmental
AA-/AA+
Secondary
Chilean peso
3 December 2015
Bloomberg

The discount rate is the interest rate used to discount the estimated future severance payments to their present value. The table below shows 
the principal instruments and assumptions utilised in determining the discount rate: 

Rate of increase in salaries
This represents the estimated average rates of future salary increases, reflecting likely future promotions and other changes. This has been 
based on historical information for the Group for the period from 2012 to 2015.

Turnover rate
This represents the estimated average level of future employee turnover. This has been based on historical information for the Group for the 
period from 2012 to 2015. 

Antofagasta plc  169

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT28 Post-employment benefit obligations continued

Sensitivity analysis
Significant actuarial assumptions for the determination of the defined obligation are discount rate, expected salary increase and staff turnover. 
The sensitive analysis below has been determined based on reasonably possible changes of the respective assumptions occurring at the end 
of the reporting period, while holding all other assumptions constant.

• If the discount rate is 100 basis points higher the defined benefit obligation would decrease by $7.0 million. If the discount rate is 100 basis 

points lower the defined benefit obligation would increase by $8.2 million.

• If the expected salary growth increases by 1% the defined benefit obligation would increase by $7.5 million. If the expected salary growth 

decreases by 1% the defined benefit obligation would decrease by $6.5 million. 

• If the staff turnover increases by 1% the defined benefit obligation would decrease by $0.1 million. If the staff turnover decreases by  

1% the defined benefit obligation would increase by $0.1 million.

29 Deferred tax and liabilities

The following are the major deferred tax liabilities and assets recognised by the Group and movements thereon during 2015 and 2014.

At 1 January 2014
(Charge)/credit to income
Reclassification
Charge deferred in equity
At 1 January 2015
(Charge)/credit to income
Charge capitalised
Disposal of subsidiary
Charge deferred in equity
At 31 December 2015

Accelerated 
capital 
allowances 
$m
(720.0)
(257.3)
– 
– 
(977.3)
(99.3)
– 
8.8 
– 
(1,067.8)

Temporary 
differences on 
provisions 
$m
108.0 
50.5 
– 
– 
158.5 
(24.1)
– 
– 
(1.4)
133.0 

Withholding  
tax 
$m
(232.0)
222.5 
– 
– 
(9.5)
(1.9)
– 
– 
– 
(11.4)

Short-term 
differences 
$m
(10.9)
0.2 
0.3 
4.2 
(6.2)
56.0 
(0.8)
– 
– 
49.0 

Mining tax 
(Royalty) 
$m
(35.0)
(7.2)
– 
– 
(42.2)
(12.9)
– 
– 
– 
(55.1)

Tax losses 
$m
0.9 
0.6 
– 
– 
1.5 
(0.8)
– 
– 
– 
0.7 

Total 
$m
(889.0)
9.3 
0.3 
4.2 
(875.2)
(83.0)
(0.8)
8.8 
(1.4)
(951.6)

The credit to the income statement of $83.0 million (2014 – $9.3 million charge) includes a credit for foreign exchange differences 
of $1.1 million (2014 – includes a credit of $2.9 million).

Certain deferred tax assets and liabilities have been offset. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset where the Group has a legally 
enforceable right to do so. The following is the analysis of the deferred tax balance (after offset):

Deferred tax assets
Deferred tax liabilities
Net deferred tax balances

2015 
$m
124.6 
(1,076.2)
(951.6)

2014 
$m
104.6 
(979.8)
(875.2)

At 31 December 2015, the Group had unused tax losses of $9.9 million (2014 – $14.3 million) available for offset against future profits. 
A deferred tax asset of $2.7 million has been recognised in respect of these losses in 2015 (2014 – $1.5 million). These losses may be carried 
forward indefinitely.

At 31 December 2015, the aggregate amount of temporary differences associated with undistributed earnings of subsidiaries for which 
deferred  tax liabilities have not been recognised was $4,963.9 million (2014 – $4,520.4 million). No liability has been recognised in respect of 
these differences because the Group is in a position to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences and it is likely that such 
differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Temporary differences arising in connection with interests in associates are insignificant.

The deferred tax balance of $951.6 million (2014 – $875.2 million) includes $965.0 million (2014 – $951.6 million) due in more than one year. 
All amounts are shown as non-current on the face of the balance sheet as required by IAS 12.

170  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statements30 Decommissioning and restoration and other long-term provisions

Balance at the beginning of the year
(Charge)/credit to operating profit in the year
Release of discount to net interest in the year
Actuarial gain/(loss)
Capitalised adjustment to provision
Reclassification
Utilised in year
Disposal
Foreign currency exchange difference
Balance at the end of the year

Analysed as follows:
Decommissioning and restoration
Termination of Water concession
Balance at the end of the year

a) Decommissioning and restoration

2015 
$m
(434.3)
(25.8)
(5.0)
– 
35.7 
– 
30.1 
1.5 
3.8 
(394.0)

(394.0)
– 
(394.0)

2014 
$m
(494.3)
7.4 
(5.6)
0.6 
48.1 
0.9 
6.2 
– 
2.4 
(434.3)

(432.6)
(1.7)
(434.3)

Decommissioning and restoration costs relate to the Group’s mining operations. Costs are estimated on the basis of a formal closure plan 
and are subject to regular independent formal review. It is estimated that the provision will be utilised from 2024 until 2059 based on current 
mine plans.

During the year ended 31 December 2015, the decommissioning and restoration provisions at the Group’s mining operations decreased 
by a net total of $38.6 million.

The balance at the end of the year includes $31.7 million of provision related to Michilla. Following the cessation of production at Michilla 
the current expectation is that the majority of the closure costs will be incurred during the next three years.

31 Share capital and other reserves

(i) Share capital

The ordinary share capital of the Company is as follows:

Authorised
Ordinary shares of 5p each

Issued and fully paid
Ordinary shares of 5p each

2015 
Number

2014 
Number

2015 
$m

2014 
$m

1,300,000,000  1,300,000,000 

118.9 

118.9 

2015 
Number

2014 
Number

985,856,695 

985,856,695 

2015 
$m

89.8 

2014 
$m

89.8 

The Company has one class of ordinary shares which carry no right to fixed income. Each ordinary share carries one vote at any 
general meeting.

There were no changes in the authorised or issued share capital of the Company in either 2014 or 2015. Details of the Company’s preference 
share capital, which is included within borrowings in accordance with IAS 32, are given in Note 24(a)(xviii).

Antofagasta plc  171

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
31 Share capital and other reserves continued

(ii) Other reserves and retained earnings

Details of the share premium account, hedging, fair value and translation reserves and retained earnings for both 2015 and 2014 are included 
within the Consolidated statement of changes in equity on page 123.

Hedging reserves1
At 1 January
Parent and subsidiaries net cash flow hedge fair value gains/(losses)
Parent and subsidiaries net cash flow hedge gains/(losses) transferred to the income statement
Share of other comprehensive income/(losses) of equity accounted units, net of tax
Tax on the above
At 31 December
Available-for-sale revaluation reserves2
At 1 January
Gain/(losses) on available-for-sale investment
(Losses)/gain on available-for-sale securities transferred to the income statement
Tax on the above
At 31 December
Foreign currency translation reserves3
At 1 January
Parent and subsidiaries currency translation and exchange adjustments
Currency translation reclassified on disposal
Tax on the above
At 31 December
Total other reserves per balance sheet
Retained earnings4
At 1 January
Parent and subsidiaries profit for the year
Equity accounted units’ loss after tax for the year
Actuarial gains/(losses)5
Tax relating to components of other comprehensive income
Total comprehensive income for the year 
Change in ownership interest in subsidiaries
Capital increase in non-controlling interest
Dividends paid
At 31 December

2015 
$m

(36.2)
0.1 
3.5 
(10.2)
(1.3)
(44.1)

(10.7)
(3.2)
1.0 
– 
(12.9)

(0.5)
– 
(1.8)
– 
(2.3)
(59.3)

5,932.1 
614.0 
(5.8)
4.5 
(1.2)
6,543.6 
– 
– 
(127.2)
6,416.4 

2014 
$m

(6.8)
(0.2)
(8.5)
(25.2)
4.5 
(36.2)

(30.9)
(6.1)
26.3 
–
(10.7)

25.7 
(26.2)
–
–
(0.5)
(47.4)

6,447.5 
463.4 
(3.6)
(13.2)
3.4 
6,897.5 
1.5 
(2.7)
(964.2)
5,932.1 

1 The hedging reserve records gains or losses on cash flow hedges that are recognised initially in equity, as described in Note 26(d).

2 The available-for-sale revaluation reserves record fair value gains or losses relating to available-for-sale investment, as described in Note 18.

3  Exchange differences arising on the translation of the Group’s net investment in foreign controlled companies are taken to the foreign currency translation reserve. The cumulative differences 

relating to an investment are transferred to the income statement when the investment is disposed of.

4 Retained earnings and movements in reserves of subsidiaries include those arising from the Group’s share of joint operations.

5 Actuarial gains or losses relating to long-term employee benefits, as described in Note 28.

172  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statements32 Non-controlling interests

The non-controlling interests of the Group during 2015 and 2014 are as follows:

Share of  
profit/ 
(losses) 
for the 
financial  
year 
$m
151.8 
(46.5)
0.2 
(11.9)

At  
1 January 
2015 
$m
971.3 
861.1 
0.7 
14.5 

Capital 
contribution 
on non-
controlling 
interest 
$m
– 
– 
– 
14.6 

Elimination 
of non-
controlling 
interest 
$m
– 
– 
– 
– 

Share of 
dividends 
$m
(80.0)
– 
– 
– 

Hedging and  
actuarial 
gains/losses 
$m
(2.7)
(0.5)
(0.8)
1.4 

Exchange 
differences 
$m
– 
– 
– 
– 

At  
31 December 
2015 
$m
1,040.4 
814.1 
0.1 
18.6 

13.4 
1,861.0 

(0.1)
93.5 

– 
(80.0)

– 
14.6 

(13.3)
(13.3)

– 
(2.6)

– 
– 

– 
1,873.2 

Share of  
profit/ 
(losses) for  
the financial 
year 
$m
352.3 
56.1 
(0.3)
(3.8)
(12.3)

Capital 
contribution 
on non- 
controlling 
interest 
$m
– 
– 
– 
46.2 
3.8 

Capital  
increase in 
 non-
controlling 
interest 
$m
– 
– 
– 
– 
2.7 

Elimination of 
non- 
controlling 
interest 
$m
– 
– 
(32.0)
– 
(56.7)

Share of 
dividends 
$m
(392.0)
(15.0)
(5.2)
– 
– 

Hedging and  
actuarial  
gains/losses 
$m
(19.9)
0.2 
0.8 
(1.7)
– 

Exchange 
differences 
$m
– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

At 
31 December 
2014 
$m
971.3 
861.1 
0.7 
14.5 
– 

Non-
controlling 
interest 

% Country
Chile
Chile
Chile
Chile

40.0 
30.0 
0.1 
30.0 

50.0  Bolivia

Los Pelambres
Centinela 
Michilla
Antucoya
Railway and other 
transport services
Total

Non-
controlling 
interest 

% Country

At 
1 January 
2014 
$m
Chile 1,030.9 
819.8 
Chile
37.4 
Chile
(26.2)
Chile
62.5 
USA

40.0 
30.0 
0.1 
30.0 
60.0 

Los Pelambres
Centinela 
Michilla
Antucoya
Twin Metals
Railway and 
other transport 
services
Total

50.0  Bolivia

14.7 
1,939.1 

(1.1)
390.9 

– 
(412.2)

– 
50.0 

– 
2.7 

– 
(88.7)

– 
(20.6)

(0.2)
(0.2)

13.4 
1,861.0 

The proportion of the voting rights is proportional with the economic interest under the companies listed above.

Antofagasta plc  173

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT32 Non-controlling interests continued

Summarised financial position and cash flow for the years ended 2015 and 2014

Non-controlling interest (%)
Cash and cash equivalent
Current assets
Non-current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Accumulated non-controlling interest
Net cash flow from operating activities
Net cash flow from investing activities
Net cash flow from financing activities

Non-controlling interest (%)
Cash and cash equivalent
Current assets
Non-current assets
Current liabilities
Non-current liabilities
Accumulated non-controlling interest
Net cash flow from operating activities
Net cash flow from investing activities
Net cash flow from financing activities

Los Pelambres  
2015 
$m
40.0%
248.8 
670.5 
2,853.6 
(429.0)
(770.1)
1,040.4 
490.1 
(333.4)
(139.9)

Los Pelambres  
2014 
$m
40.0%
219.5 
473.1 
2,968.2 
(475.2)
(783.7)
(971.3)
1,376.1 
(408.9)
(914.9)

Centinela 
2015 
$m
30.0%
598.8 
474.7 
4,195.7 
(561.5)
(1,517.6)
814.1 
197.9 
(429.7)
199.9 

Centinela 
2014 
$m
30.0%
760.2 
457.2 
4,295.1 
(869.7)
(1,681.2)
(861.1)
744.5 
(838.9)
(1.1)

Michilla 
2015 
$m
0.1%
96.4 
26.9 
0.0 
(13.5)
(32.6)
0.1 
26.3 
(36.8)
– 

Michilla 
2014 
$m
0.1%
68.8 
64.1 
47.8 
(47.5)
(66.4)
(0.7)
65.2 
(10.5)
(20.0)

Antucoya 
2015 
$m
30.0%
138.6 
166.3 
1,747.0 
(136.1)
(1,068.8)
18.6 
(104.5)
(215.0)
287.0 

Antucoya 
2014 
$m
30.0%
171.1 
78.4 
1,458.4 
(796.0)
(867.4)
(14.5)
(158.5)
(676.6)
959.1 

Notes to the summarised financial position and cash flow

(i)  The amounts disclosed for each subsidiary are based on the amounts included in the consolidated financial statements (ie 100% of the 
results and balances of the subsidiary rather than the non-controlling interest proportionate share) before inter-company eliminations.

(ii)  Summarised income statement information is shown in the segment information in Note 4. 

33 Notes to the consolidated cash flow statement

a) Reconciliation of profit before tax to net cash inflow from operating activities

Profit before tax from continuing and discontinued operations
Depreciation and amortisation
Net (profit)/loss on disposals
Profit on disposal of discontinued operations
Net finance expense
Share of results from associates and joint ventures
(Increase)/decrease in inventories
Decrease in debtors
Increase in creditors and provisions
Cash flow from operations from continuing and discontinued operations

2015 
$m
 1,118.4 
 576.1 
 10.2 
 (859.0)
 39.2 
 5.8 
 60.5 
 137.7 
 (230.6)
 858.3 

2014 
$m
 1,573.5 
 606.0 
 (24.1)
 (57.9)
 62.1 
 4.1 
 32.1 
 124.8 
 187.2 
 2,507.8 

174  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statementsb) Analysis of changes in net debt

Cash and cash equivalents
Liquid investments
Total cash and cash equivalents and liquid investments
Bank borrowings due within one year
Bank borrowings due after one year
Finance leases due within one year
Finance leases due after one year
Preference shares
Total borrowings
Net (debt)/cash

Cash and cash equivalents
Liquid investments
Total cash and cash equivalents and liquid investments

Bank borrowings due within one year
Bank borrowings due after one year
Finance leases due within one year
Finance leases due after one year
Preference shares
Total borrowings
Net cash

c) Net debt

Cash, cash equivalents and liquid investments
Total borrowings

34 Operating lease arrangements

At 1 January 2015 
$m
 845.4 
 1,529.1 
 2,374.5 
 (276.0)
 (2,050.5)
 (8.5)
 (38.0)
 (3.1)
 (2,376.1)
 (1.6)

Cash flows 
$m
 (1.5)
 (605.0)
 (606.5)
 (306.9)
 (139.2)
 11.5 
 0.3 
 – 
 (434.3)
 (1,040.8)

At 1 January 2014 
$m
 613.7 
 2,071.4 
 2,685.1 

Cash flows 
$m
 259.2 
 (542.3)
 (283.1)

 (329.4)
 (985.0)
 (11.6)
 (44.6)
 (3.3)
 (1,373.9)
 1,311.2 

 29.7 
 (1,042.2)
 12.2 
 – 
 – 
 (1,000.3)
 (1,283.4)

Other 
$m
 – 
 – 
 – 
 (171.3)
 225.0 
 (8.5)
 4.8 
 – 
 50.0 
 50.0 

Other 
$m
 – 
 – 
 – 

 23.7 
 (23.3)
 (9.1)
 6.6 
 – 
 (2.1)
 (2.1)

Exchange 
$m
 (36.4)
 – 
 (36.4)
 0.8 
 1.4 
 – 
 3.0 
 0.1 
 5.3 
 (31.1)

Exchange 
$m
 (27.5)
 – 
 (27.5)

 – 
 – 
 – 
 – 
 0.2 
 0.2 
 (27.3)

At 31 December 2015 
$m
 807.5 
 924.1 
 1,731.6 
 (753.4)
 (1,963.3)
 (5.5)
 (29.9)
 (3.0)
 (2,755.1)
 (1,023.5)

At 31 December 2014 
$m
 845.4 
 1,529.1 
 2,374.5 

 (276.0)
 (2,050.5)
 (8.5)
 (38.0)
 (3.1)
 (2,376.1)
 (1.6)

2014 
$m
 2,374.5 
 (2,376.1)
 (1.6)

2015 
$m
1,731.6
 (2,755.1)
 (1,023.5)

Minimum lease payments under operating leases recognised in income for the year

2015 
$m
27.8

2014 
$m
36.6

At the balance sheet date, the Group had outstanding commitments for future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating 
leases, which fall due as follows:

Within one year
In the second to fifth years inclusive
After five years

Operating lease payments relate mainly to rental of plant and equipment by operating subsidiaries of the Group.

2015 
$m
32.4
33.8
 – 
66.2

2014 
$m
30.5
33.3
0.8
64.6

Antofagasta plc  175

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT35 Exchange rates in US dollars

Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into dollars and sterling at the period end rates of exchange.

Results denominated in foreign currencies have been translated into dollars at the average rate for each period.

Year end rates 

Average rates 

2015
$1.4828 = £1;  
$1 = Ch$710.16
$1.5284 = £1;  
$1 = Ch$654.47

2014
$1.6426 = £1; 
$1 = Ch$606.75
$1.6072 = £1; 
$1 = Ch$570.15

36 Related party transactions

Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related parties, have been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed 
in this note. Transactions between the Group and its associates are disclosed below.

The transactions which Group companies entered into with related parties who are not members of the Group are set out below. There are not 
guarantees given or received and no provisions for doubtful debts related to the amount of outstanding balances.

a) Quiñenco S.A.

Quiñenco S.A. (“Quiñenco”) is a Chilean financial and industrial conglomerate, the shares of which are traded on the Santiago Stock Exchange. 
The Group and Quiñenco are both under the control of the Luksic family, and three Directors of the Company, Jean-Paul Luksic, Andronico 
Luksic and Gonzalo Menéndez, are also directors of Quiñenco.

The following material transactions took place between the Group and the Quiñenco group of companies, all of which were on normal 
commercial terms:

• the Group earned interest income of $0.6 million (2014 – $0.5 million) during the year on deposits with Banco de Chile S.A., a subsidiary 

of Quiñenco. Deposit balances at the end of the year were $110.4 million (2014 – $70.1 million);

• the Group earned interest income of $0.7 million (2014 – $1.5 million) during the year on investments with Banchile Corredores de Bolsa 

S.A., a subsidiary of Quiñenco. Investment balances at the end of the year were $12.1 million (2014 – $26.3 million);

• the Group bought fuel from ENEX S.A. a subsidiary of Quiñenco of $32.4 million (2014 – $54.3 million). The balance due to ENEX S.A. 

at the end of the year was nil (2014 – nil).

b) Michilla/Minera Cerro Centinela S.A.

In March 2014, the Group acquired an additional 25.7% interest in Michilla for $30.9 million, increasing the Group’s interest from 74.2% to 
99.9%. This included the acquisition of the 7.973% stake held by Minera Cerro Centinela S.A., an entity ultimately controlled by the Luksic 
family, for $9.6 million. Prior to this transaction, Michilla paid dividends of $1.6 million to Minera Cerro Centinela S.A. 

c) Compañía de Inversiones Adriático S.A.

In 2013, the Group leased office space on normal commercial terms from Compañía de Inversiones Adriático S.A., a company controlled by 
the Luksic family, at a cost of less than $0.5 million (2014 – $0.7 million).

d) Antofagasta Terminal Internacional S.A.

As explained in Note 17, the Group has a 30% interest in Antofagasta Terminal Internacional S.A. (“ATI”) which is accounted for as an 
associate. During 2015, the Group has not received dividends from ATI (2014 – nil).

e) Antomin Limited, Antomin 2 Limited and Antomin Investors Limited

The Group holds a 51% interest in Antomin 2 Limited (“Antomin 2”) and Antomin Investors Limited (“Antomin Investors”), which own a 
number of copper exploration properties. The Group originally acquired its 51% interest in these properties for a nominal consideration from 
Mineralinvest Establishment, a company controlled by the Luksic family, which continues to hold the remaining 49% of Antomin 2 and 
Antomin Investors. During the year ended 31 December 2015, the Group incurred $4.2 million (year ended 31 December 2014 – $17.0 million) 
of exploration work at these properties.

f) Tethyan Copper Company Limited

As explained in Note 17, the Group has a 50% interest in Tethyan Copper Company Limited (“Tethyan”), which is a joint venture with Barrick 
Gold Corporation over Tethyan’s mineral interests in Pakistan. During 2015, the Group contributed $4.0 million (2014 – $8.5 million) to Tethyan. 
The balance due from Tethyan to Group companies at the end of the year was nil (2014 – nil). 

176  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statementsg) Energía Andina S.A.

As explained in Note 17, the Group has a 50.1% interest in Energía Andina, which is a joint venture with Origin Energy Geothermal Chile 
Limitada for the evaluation and development of potential sources of geothermal and solar energy. The balance due from Energía Andina S.A. 
to the Group at 31 December 2015 was nil (2014 – less than $0.1 million). During the year ended 31 December 2015, the Group contributed 
$1.3 million to Energía Andina (2014 – $7.7 million).

h) Compañia Minera Zaldívar SpA

The Group´s 50% (2014 – 0%) interest in Minera Zaldívar was acquired on 1 December 2015 (see Note 17), which is a joint venture with Barrick 
Gold Corporation. Antofagasta is the operator of Zaldívar from 1 December 2015 onwards. The balance due from Zaldívar to Group companies 
at the end of the year was less than $0.1 million.

i) Directors and other key management personnel

Information relating to Directors’ remuneration and interests are given in the Remuneration Report on page 96. Information relating to the 
remuneration of key management personnel including the Directors is given in Note 8.

j) Inversiones Hornitos S.A.

As explained in Note 17, the Group has a 40% interest in Inversiones Hornitos S.A., which is accounted for as an associate. The Group paid 
$140.5 million (year ended 31 December 2014 – $175.3 million) to Inversiones Hornitos in relation to the energy supply contract at Centinela. 
During 2015, the Group has received dividends from Inversiones Hornitos S.A. for $12.1 million (2014 – $20.0 million).

k) Parque Eólico El Arrayán S.A.

As explained in Note 17, the Group has a 30% interest in Parque Eólico El Arrayán S.A. (“El Arrayán”), which is accounted for as an associate. 
The Group paid $42.0 million (year ended 31 December 2014 – $12.0 million) to El Arrayán in relation to the energy supply contract at Los 
Pelambres. During 2015, the Group has contributed nil to El Arrayán (2014 – $2.6 million).

l) Alto Maipo SpA

As explained in Note 17, the Group has a 40% interest in Alto Maipo SpA (“Alto Maipo”), which is accounted for as an associate. During 2014, 
the Group made capital contributions for $42.8 million to Alto Maipo (2014 – $nil). The balance due from Alto Maipo to the Group at 
31 December 2015 was $229.7 (2014 – $152.4 million), representing loan financing with an interest rate of LIBOR six-month plus 4.25%.

37 Litigation and contingent liabilities

Antofagasta plc or its subsidiaries are subject to various claims which arise in the ordinary course of business. No provision has been made 
in the financial statements and none of these claims are currently expected to result in any material loss to the Group. Details of the principal 
claims in existence either during, or at the end of, the period and the current status of these claims are set out below:

Los Pelambres – Mauro tailings dam 

As previously announced, during 2008 Los Pelambres entered into binding settlements in respect of litigation relating to the Mauro tailings 
dam. Since then, there have been a series of civil claims filed by some members of the Caimanes community (which is located near the Mauro 
tailings dam) seeking to stop the operation of the dam. Many of these claims have been rejected by the relevant courts. 

Two of these claims are currently ongoing and Los Pelambres is continuing to take necessary steps to protect its position. 

In the first claim, the plaintiffs have argued that the tailings dam affects their alleged water rights and the environment. This allegation is based 
on assertions that the dam interferes with the flow and quality of the water in the Pupío stream, a stream that passes through the valley in 
which the dam is built down to the Caimanes community. This claim was rejected by the trial Court of Los Vilos in a judgement issued in 
November 2012, which was then affirmed by the Court of Appeals of La Serena in August 2013. In October 2014, the Supreme Court, by 
a 3–2 majority decision, upheld the appeal and ordered Los Pelambres to submit back to the trial Court of Los Vilos, within one month, an 
implementation plan for works that would ensure that the operation of the dam does not affect the normal flow and quality of the waters of the 
Pupío stream. Los Pelambres believes that the requirements of this order have already been met as Los Pelambres has undertaken significant 
works to ensure that the flow of the Pupío stream is not altered and that the operation of the tailings dam does not affect the quantity or quality 
of these waters – something that has been confirmed by accredited independent assessors and other public services in Chile and confirmed 
by the Supreme Court in a parallel decision. Nevertheless, on 21 November 2014, Los Pelambres submitted this plan to the trial Court of 
Los Vilos. On 6 March 2015, that Court found that the plan submitted by Los Pelambres was not sufficient to address the requirements of 
the Supreme Court order, and as a consequence Los Pelambres must demolish part, or all, of the tailings dam wall. Los Pelambres appealed 
the Court’s decision and in December 2015 the Court of Appeals ordered that, before it issues its decision, a Court appointed engineer must 
review the plan submitted by Los Pelambres and issue a report explaining whether or not the proposed works are enough to ensure that the 
flow of the Pupío stream to the Caimanes community is not altered by the operation of the tailings dam and, if the proposed works are not 
deemed to be sufficient to achieve this purpose, what additional or other works must be performed by Los Pelambres to achieve this goal. 
That report is currently pending. 

Antofagasta plc  177

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT37 Litigation and contingent liabilities continued

In the second claim, the plaintiffs are seeking demolition of the dam wall on the basis of the risk that its collapse would pose to the community. 
The Civil Court in Los Vilos issued a decision in May 2014 denying the demolition request but ordering Minera Los Pelambres to undertake 
some additional measures to ensure protection of the community, in the event of a major earthquake or similar natural event. These measures 
would need to be reviewed and agreed with the technically competent bodies responsible for supervision of the dam. The decision of the 
Court of Los Vilos was appealed by both the plaintiffs and Los Pelambres to the Court of Appeal of La Serena. In April 2015, the Court of 
Appeal of La Serena upheld Los Pelambres’s appeal, overturning the decision of the Court of Los Vilos and rejecting completely the plaintiff’s 
claim. The decision of the Court of Appeal has been appealed by the plaintiffs to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is expected to hear 
oral arguments and issue a final decision within the next few months.

Los Pelambres – Cerro Amarillo Waste Dump 

In 2004, Los Pelambres received all of the required authorisations from the Chilean government to deposit a waste-rock dump (“Cerro Amarillo 
Waste Dump”) in its current location which, according to the then official Chilean maps (1996), was located within Chile. In 2007, Chile 
modified the official maps in this area without making the changes public. Los Pelambres stopped using the relevant area of the Cerro Amarillo 
Waste Dump in 2011. 

In February 2012, a binational border commission, established to clarify the exact position of the Chile/Argentina border, determined accurately 
the location of the border in the area of the Cerro Amarillo Waste Dump, which showed that part of the Cerro Amarillo Waste Dump was 
located in Argentina. 

In May 2014, Xstrata Pachón S.A. (“Xstrata Pachón”), a subsidiary of Glencore plc and the holder of the mining properties on the Argentinian 
side of the border, filed a claim against Los Pelambres before the Federal Court of San Juan, Argentina, alleging that Los Pelambres had 
unlawfully deposited waste-rock on its property. 

Xstrata Pachón has also filed a criminal complaint before a different Federal Court of San Juan alleging that Los Pelambres had violated several 
Argentinian laws relating to the misappropriation of land, unlawful appropriation of water bodies and that people’s health was in jeopardy from 
the alleged contamination that the Cerro Amarillo Waste Dump might generate.

In both cases, Los Pelambres submitted preliminary objections to the Argentinian courts. These objections are still pending in relation to the 
civil claim. Each party may appeal any decision on these preliminary objections to higher courts. 

In the criminal proceeding the first instance Court dismissed the preliminary objections made by Los Pelambres but this decision has 
been appealed. 

The Cerro Amarillo Waste Dump is a pile of inert waste-rock and any potential future environmental impact could be easily prevented with 
the implementation of an environmental closure plan, which is the accepted and recommended practice.

Los Pelambres has offered to implement a closure plan in line with the requirements of the Provincial Authorities of San Juan, but Xstrata 
Pachón has rejected this proposal outright, even though this solution would address all of the alleged environmental concerns.

Los Pelambres will exercise all available legal avenues to defend its position and will continue to seek to reach an understanding with the 
relevant authorities in Argentina to allow the environmental closure of the Cerro Amarillo Waste Dump. 

38 Ultimate Parent Company

The immediate parent of the Group is Metalinvest Establishment, which is controlled by E. Abaroa Foundation, in which members of the 
Luksic family are interested.

Both Metalinvest Establishment and the E. Abaroa Foundation are domiciled in Liechtenstein. Information relating to the interest 
of Metalinvest Establishment and the E. Abaroa Foundation are given in the Directors’ report.

178  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Notes to the financial statementsParent Company financial statements

39 Antofagasta plc – balance sheet of the Parent Company and related notes

At 31 December 2015

Fixed assets
Investment in subsidiaries
Debtors – loans to group undertakings
Tangible fixed assets

Current assets
Debtors – amounts falling due within one year
 – amounts owed by subsidiaries
 – other debtors
Current asset investments (term deposits)
Cash at bank and in hand

Total assets
Creditors – amounts falling due within one year
Other creditors
Amounts owed to subsidiaries
Net current liabilities
Total assets less current liabilities
Creditors – amounts falling due after more than one year
Preference shares
Total assets less total liabilities
Capital and reserves
Called up shares capital
 – Ordinary shares – equity
Reserves
 – Share premium account
 – Profit and loss account
Shareholders’ funds (including non-equity interests)

Approved by the Board and signed on its behalf on 14 March 2016.

Jean-Paul Luksic 
Chairman 

William Hayes
Senior Independent Director and 
Chairman Audit and Risk Committee

Notes

39D

39D

39E

2015 
$m

535.6 
500.0 
0.7 
1,036.3 

49.8 
1.0 
184.1 
3.4 
238.3 
1,274.6 

(6.8)
(297.7)
(66.2)
970.1 

(3.0)
967.1 

2014 
$m

600.5 
– 
– 
600.5 

44.7 
– 
66.5 
2.3 
113.5 
714.0 

– 
(296.6)
(183.1)
417.4 

(3.1)
414.3 

89.8 

89.8 

199.2 
678.1 
967.1 

199.2 

125.3 
414.3 

Antofagasta plc  179

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORT 
Parent Company financial statements

39 Antofagasta plc – Balance sheet of the Parent Company and related notes continued

Statement of changes in equity of the Parent Company

At 1 January 2014 (equity)
Profit for the financial year
Dividends paid
At 31 December 2014 and 1 January 2015
Profit for the financial year
Dividends paid
31 December 2015 (equity)

Called up 
ordinary 
share capital 
$m
 89.8 
 – 
 – 
89.8
 – 
 – 
89.8

Share 
premium 
$m
 199.2 
 – 
 – 
199.2
 – 
 – 
199.2

Retained 
earnings 
$m
 141.3 
 948.2 
 (964.2)
 125.3 
 680.0 
 (127.2)
678.1

Total 
$m
 430.3 
948.2
 (964.2)
414.3
 680.0 
 (127.2)
967.1

The ordinary shares rank after the preference shares in entitlement to dividend and on a winding-up. Each ordinary share carries one vote at 
any general meeting.

Antofagasta plc is a company limited by shares, incorporated and domiciled in the United Kingdom at Cleveland House 33 King Street, London.

39A Basis of preparation of the balance sheet and related notes of the Parent Company
The Antofagasta plc Parent Company balance sheet and related notes have been prepared in accordance with FRS 101, which applies 
the recognition and measurement bases of IFRS with reduced disclosure requirements. The financial information has been prepared on a 
historical cost basis. The financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis. The functional currency of the Company and 
the presentational currency adopted is US dollars.

The following exemptions from the requirements of IFRS have been applied in the preparation of these financial statements, in accordance 
with FRS 101:

• Paragraphs 45(b) and 46 to 52 of IFRS 2, “Share-based payment” (details of the number and weighted-average exercise prices of share 

options, and how the fair value of goods or services received was determined)

• IFRS 7 “Financial Instruments: Disclosures”

• Paragraphs 91 to 99 of IFRS 13 “Fair value measurement” (disclosure of valuation techniques and inputs used for fair value measurement 

of assets and liabilities)

• Paragraph 38 of IAS 1 “Presentation of financial statements” comparative information requirements in respect of:

  (i) paragraph 79(a)(iv) of IAS 1;

  (ii) paragraph 73(e) of IAS 16 Property, plant and equipment; and

  (iii) paragraph 118(e) of IAS 38 Intangible assets (reconciliations between the carrying amount at the beginning and end of the period)

• The following paragraphs of IAS 1, “Presentation of financial statements”:

• 10(d), (statement of cash flows);

• 10(f) (a statement of financial position as at the beginning of the preceding period when an entity applies an accounting policy 
retrospectively or makes a retrospective restatement of items in its financial statements, or when it reclassifies items in its 
financial statements);

• 16 (statement of compliance with all IFRS);

• 38A (requirement for minimum of two primary statements, including cash flow statements);

• 38B-D (additional comparative information);

• 40A-D (requirements for a third statement of financial position;

• 111 (cash flow statement information); and

• 134–136 (capital management disclosures).

• IAS 7 “Statement of cash flows”

• Paragraph 30 and 31 of IAS 8 “Accounting policies, changes in accounting estimates and errors” (requirement for the disclosure 

of information when an entity has not applied a new IFRS that has been issued but is not yet effective)

• Paragraph 17 of IAS 24 “Related party disclosures” (key management compensation)

The requirements in IAS 24 “Related party disclosures” to disclose related party transactions entered into between two or more members 
of a group.

180  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

As permitted by section 408 of the Companies Act 2006, the profit and loss account of the Parent Company is not presented as part of these 
financial statements. The profit after tax for the year of the Parent Company amounted to $680.0 million (2014 – $948.2 million).

A summary of the principal accounting policies is set out below. 

39B Principal accounting policies of the Parent Company

a) Currency translation
The Company’s functional currency is the US dollar. Transactions in currencies other than the functional currency are translated at the 
exchange rate ruling at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities, including amounts due from or to subsidiaries, denominated 
in currencies other than the functional currency are retranslated at year end exchange rates. Gains and losses on retranslation are included 
in net profit or loss for the year.

b) Revenue recognition
Dividends proposed by subsidiaries are recognised as income by the Company when they represent a present obligation of the subsidiaries, 
ie in the period in which they are formally approved for payment.

Interest income is accrued on a time basis, by reference to the principal outstanding and the effective interest rate applicable, which is the rate 
that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts through the expected life of the financial asset to that asset’s net carrying amount.

c) Dividends payable
Dividends proposed are recognised when they represent a present obligation, ie in the period in which they are formally approved for payment. 
Accordingly, an interim dividend is recognised when paid and a final dividend is recognised when approved by shareholders.

d) Investments in subsidiaries
Investments in subsidiaries represent equity holdings in subsidiaries and long-term amounts owed by subsidiaries. Such investments are 
valued at cost less any impairment provisions. Investments are reviewed for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the 
carrying amount may not be recoverable. The recoverable amount of the investment is the higher of fair value less cost to dispose and value 
in use. As explained in Note 39D, amounts owed by subsidiaries due in currencies other than the functional currency are translated at year end 
rates of exchange with any exchange differences taken to the profit and loss account.

e) Current asset investments and cash at bank and in hand
Current asset investments comprise highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into known amounts of cash and which are subject 
to insignificant risk of changes in value, typically maturing within 12 months.

Cash at bank and in hand comprise cash in hand and deposits repayable on demand.

f) Borrowings – preference shares
The sterling-denominated preference shares issued by the Company carry a fixed rate of return without the right to participate in any surplus. 
They are accordingly classified as borrowings and translated into US dollars at year end rates of exchange. Preference share dividends are 
included within finance costs.

g) Equity instruments – ordinary share capital and share premium
Equity instruments issued are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs. Equity instruments of the Company comprise 
its sterling-denominated issued ordinary share capital and related share premium.

As explained above, the presentational and the functional currency of the Company is US dollars, and ordinary share capital and share premium 
are translated into US dollars at historical rates of exchange based on dates of issue.

39C Employee benefit expense 

a) Average number of employees
The average number of employees was five (2014 – nil).

b) Aggregate remuneration
The aggregate remuneration of the employees mentioned above was as follows:

Wages and salaries
Social security costs

2015 
$m
 0.6 
 0.1 
 0.7 

2014 
$m
 – 
 – 
 – 

The above employee figures exclude Directors who receive Directors’ fees from Antofagasta plc. Details of fees payable to Directors are set 
out in the Remuneration Report.

Antofagasta plc  181

FINANCIAL STATEMENTSFINANCIAL STATEMENTSGOVERNANCEOTHER INFORMATIONOVERVIEWSTRATEGIC REPORTParent Company financial statements

39 Antofagasta plc – balance sheet of the Parent Company and related notes continued

39D Subsidiaries

a) Investment in subsidiaries

Shares in subsidiaries at cost
Amounts owed by subsidiaries due after more than one year

1 January 2015
Loans repaid
31 December 2015

2015 
$m
 57.6 
 478.0 
 535.6 

Loans  
$m
 542.9 
 (64.9)
 478.0 

2014 
$m
 57.6 
 542.9 
 600.6 

Total 
$m
 600.5 
 (64.9)
 535.6 

Shares  
$m
 57.6 
 – 
 57.6 

The above amount of $478.0 million (2014 – $542.9 million) in respect of amounts owed by subsidiaries due after more than one year relates 
to long-term funding balances which form an integral part of the Company’s long-term investment in those subsidiary companies. 

A one-off repayment of capital following the sale of Aguas de Antofagasta S.A. was made during 2015 and therefore it is still appropriate to 
consider the rest of the loans as part of the investment in subsidiary.

b) Trade and other receivables – amounts owed by subsidiaries due after one year
At 31 December 2015, an amount of $500.0 million was owed to the Company by an indirect subsidiary, pursuant to a ten-year 
loan agreement.

c) Trade and other receivables – amounts owed by subsidiaries due within one year 
At 31 December 2015, amounts owed by subsidiaries due within one year were $49.8 million (2014 – $44.7 million).

39E Borrowings – preference shares

The authorised, issued and fully paid preference share capital of the Company comprised 2,000,000 5% cumulative preference shares of 
£1 each at both 31 December 2015 and 31 December 2014. As explained in Note 39B(f), the preference shares are measured in the balance 
sheet in US dollars at period-end rates of exchange.

The preference shares are non-redeemable and are entitled to a fixed 5% cumulative dividend, payable in equal instalments in June and 
December of each year. On a winding-up, the preference shares are entitled to repayment and any arrears of dividend in priority to ordinary 
shareholders, but are not entitled to participate further in any surplus. Each preference share carries 100 votes (see Note 24.(a).(xviii)) at any 
general meeting.

182  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Other information

Five-year summary

Ore reserves and mineral resources estimates

Mining production and sales, cash cost reconciliation, 
transport and water statistics

Glossary and definitions

Shareholder information

Directors and advisors

184

186

194

197

200

ibc

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A
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T

G
O
V
E
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A
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A
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C

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Antofagasta plc  183

OTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOVERVIEW 
 
 
Five-year summary

Consolidated balance sheet
Intangible asset
Property, plant and equipment
Investment property
Inventories1
Investment in associate2
Trade and other receivables
Derivative financial instruments
Available-for-sale investments
Deferred tax assets
Non-current assets2
Current assets2
Current liabilities2
Non current liabilities2 

Share capital
Share premium
Reserves (retained earnings and hedging, translation and  
fair value reserves)
Equity attributable to equity holders of the Company
Non-controlling interests

Consolidated income statement5
Group revenue
Total profit from operations and associates
Profit before tax2,3
Income tax expense2
Profit for the financial year from continuing operations
Profit for the financial year from discontinued operations5
Profit for the year
Non-controlling interests
Net earnings (profit attributable to equity holders of the Company)
EBITDA4,5

Earnings per share
Basic and diluted earnings per share2,5

Dividends to Ordinary Shareholders of the Company5

Dividends per share proposed in relation to the year
Ordinary dividends (interim and final)
Special dividends

Dividends per share paid in the year and deducted from equity

184  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

2015 
US$m

2014 
US$m

2013 
US$m

2012 
US$m

2011 
US$m

 150.1 
 8,601.1 
 2.0 
 263.9 
 1,146.6 
 292.9 
 – 
 2.7 
 124.6 
 10,583.9 
 2,953.2 
 (1,438.6)
 (3,579.2)
 8,519.3 
 89.8 
 199.2 

 6,357.1 
 6,646.1 
 1,873.2 
 8,519.3 

 118.6 
 8,227.1 
 2.6 
 247.8 
 198.1 
 239.5 
 – 
 15.6 
 104.6 
 9,153.9 
 3,661.2 
 (1,163.4)
 (3,617.0)
 8,034.7 
 89.8 
 199.2 

 5,884.7 
 6,173.7 
 1,861.0 
 8,034.7 

 133.0 
 7,424.8 
 3.3 
 252.7 
 175.2 
 180.8 
 – 
 16.6 
 76.9 
 8,263.3 
 4,126.3 
 (1,130.6)
 (2,595.4)
 8,663.6 
 89.8 
 199.2 

 6,435.5 
 6,724.5 
 1,939.1 
 8,663.6 

 157.6 
 6,513.2 
 162.5 
 3.5 
 106.5 
 108.3 
 8.0 
 44.5 
 103.8 
 7,207.9 
 5,655.9 
 (1,295.1)
 (2,763.9)
 8,804.8 
 89.8 
 199.2 

 6,821.6 
 7,110.6 
 1,694.2 
 8,804.8 

 155.3 
 6,443.0 
 104.7 
 3.1 
 84.8 
 67.7 
 47.6 
 36.5 
 83.2 
 7,025.9 
 4,679.3 
 (985.3)
 (2,912.5)
 7,807.4 
 89.8 
 199.2 

 5,907.2 
 6,196.2 
 1,611.2 
 7,807.4 

2015 
US$m

2014 
US$m

2013 
US$m

2012 
US$m

2011 
US$m

 3,394.6 
 304.4 
 259.4 
 (160.4)
 99.0 
 602.7 
 701.7 
 (93.5)
 608.2 
 890.7 

 5,145.6 
 1,583.6 
 1,515.6 
 (702.3)
 813.3 
 37.4 
 850.7 
 (390.9)
 459.8 
 2,141.4 

 5,971.6 
 2,157.7 
 2,083.5 
 (843.7)
 1,239.8 
 – 
 1,239.8 
 (580.2)
 659.6 
 2,702.2 

 6,740.1 
 2,852.7 
 2,761.8 
 (1,022.2)
 1,739.6 
 – 
 1,739.6 
 (702.4)
 1,037.2 
 3,864.4 

 6,076.0 
 3,097.4 
 3,076.2 
 (946.2)
 2,130.0 
 – 
 2,130.0 
 (893.4)
 1,236.6 
 3,660.5

2015 
 cents 

2014 
 cents 

2013 
 cents 

2012 
 cents 

2011 
 cents 

 61.7 

 46.6 

 66.9 

 105.2 

 125.4 

2015 
 cents 

 3.1 
 – 
 3.1 
 12.9 

2014 
 cents 

 21.5 
 – 
 21.5 
 97.8 

2013 
 cents 

 95.0 
 – 
 95.0 
 90.0 

2012 
 cents 

 21.0 
 77.5 
 98.5 
 44.5 

2011 
 cents 

 20.0 
 24.0 
 60.0 
 120.0 

Consolidated cash flow statement
Cash flow from operations2,5
Interest paid
Income tax paid2
Net cash from operating activities2
Investing activities
Acquisition and disposal of subsidiaries, joint venture and associates
Dividends from associates
Available-for-sale investments, investing activities and recovery of VAT2
Purchases and disposals of intangible assets, property,  
plant and equipment 
Interest received
Net cash used in investing activities2
Financing activities
Dividends paid to equity holders of the Company
Dividends paid to preference holders and non-controlling interests
New borrowings less repayment of borrowings and finance leases
Net cash used in financing activities
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents2

Consolidated net cash
Cash, cash equivalents and liquid investments2
Short-term borrowings4
Medium and long-term borrowings4

Net cash at the year end2

2015 
 US$m 

 858.3 
 (38.6)
 (427.1)
 392.6 

 (29.9)
 12.1 
 414.8 

 (1,046.9)
 11.0 
 (638.9)

 (127.2)
 (80.0)
 452.0 
 244.8 
 (1.5)

2015 
 US$m 

 1,731.6 
 (758.9)
 (1,996.2)
 (2,755.1)
 (1,023.5)

2014 
 US$m 

2013 
 US$m 

2012 
 US$m 

2011 
 US$m 

 2,507.8 
 (45.4)
 (641.5)
 1,820.9 

 – 
 20.0 
 372.7 

 (1,613.7)
 16.5 
 (1,204.5)

 (964.2)
 (412.4)
 1,019.4 
 (357.2)
 259.2 

 2,659.2 
 (57.2)
 (896.5)
 1,705.5 

 – 
 – 
 278.9 

 (1,334.2)
 14.0 
 (1,041.3)

 (975.0)
 (452.3)
 (418.2)
 (1,845.5)
 (1,181.3)

 3,826.0 
 (88.1)
 (901.2)
 2,836.7 

 – 
 1.1 
 (496.0)

 (868.1)
 24.8 
 (1,338.2)

 (438.7)
 (702.7)
 105.6 
 (1,035.8)
 462.7 

 3,552.5 
 (69.3)
 (1,018.1)
 2,465.1 

 – 
 1.2 
 (1,165.9)

 (670.5)
 21.7 
 (1,813.5)

 (1,183.0)
 (741.2)
 (114.5)
 (2,038.7)
 (1,387.1)

2014 
 US$m 

2013 
 US$m 

2012 
 US$m 

2011 
 US$m 

 2,374.5 
 (284.5)
 (2,091.6)
 (2,376.1)
 (1.6)

 2,685.1 
 (341.0)
 (1,032.9)
 (1,373.9)
 1,311.2 

 4,291.9 
 (447.0)
 (1,442.2)
 (1,889.2)
 2,402.7 

 3,280.0 
 (301.9)
 (1,838.4)
 (2,140.3)
 1,139.7 

1  Non-current inventories refer to ore stockpiles that are expected to be processed more than 12 months after the statement of financial position date. The 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012 balances have 

been prepared on this basis, and the 2011 balance has been restated to reflect this classification.

2  The 2012 figures have been restated as a result of the adoption of IFRS 11 Joint Arrangements and the application of the amendments to IAS 19 Employee Benefits in 2013. The 2011 balance have 

not been restated. 

3  In 2012 the Consolidation income statement included $500.0 million as a provision against the carrying value of property, plant and equipment relating to the Antucoya project. Excluding this 

exceptional item profit before tax was $3,254.2 million.

4  EBITDA refers to Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization. EBITDA is calculated by adding back depreciation, amortization, profit or loss on disposals and impairment charges 

to operating profit from subsidiaries and joint ventures.

5 The 2014 figures have been restated as results of IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for sale and Discontinued Operations related to ADASA and FCA sale during 2015.

Antofagasta plc  185

OTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOVERVIEWAn “Indicated Mineral Resource” is that part of a Mineral Resource 
for which tonnage, densities, shape, physical characteristics, 
grade and mineral content can be estimated with a reasonable 
level of confidence. It is based on exploration, sampling and 
testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from 
locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes. 
The locations are too widely or inappropriately spaced to confirm 
geological and/or grade continuity but are spaced closely enough 
for continuity to be assumed.

A “Measured Mineral Resource” is that part of a Mineral Resource 
for which tonnage, densities, shape, physical characteristics, grade 
and mineral content can be estimated with a high level of confidence. 
It is based on detailed and reliable exploration, sampling and 
testing information gathered through appropriate techniques from 
locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes. 
The locations are spaced closely enough to confirm geological and 
grade continuity.

An “Ore Reserve” is the economically mineable part of a Measured 
and/or Indicated Mineral Resource. It includes diluting materials and 
allowances for losses, which may occur when the material is mined. 
Appropriate assessments and studies have been carried out, and 
include consideration of and modification by realistically assumed 
mining, metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, 
social and governmental factors. These assessments demonstrate 
at the time of reporting that extraction could reasonably be justified. 
Ore Reserves are sub-divided in order of increasing confidence into 
Probable Ore Reserves and Proved Ore Reserves.

A “Probable Ore Reserve” is the economically mineable part of an 
Indicated, and in some circumstances, a Measured Mineral Resource. 
It includes diluting materials and allowances for losses which may 
occur when the material is mined. Appropriate assessments and 
studies have been carried out, and include consideration of and 
modification by realistically assumed mining, metallurgical, economic, 
marketing, legal, environmental, social and governmental factors. 
These assessments demonstrate at the time of reporting that 
extraction could reasonably be justified.

A “Proved Ore Reserve” is the economically mineable part of 
a Measured Mineral Resource. It includes diluting materials and 
allowances for losses which may occur when the material is 
mined. Appropriate assessments and studies have been carried out, 
and include consideration of and modification by realistically assumed 
mining, metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal, environmental, 
social and governmental factors. These assessments demonstrate 
at the time of reporting that extraction could reasonably be justified.

Ore reserves and  
mineral resources estimates 
At 31 December 2015

Introduction

The ore reserves and mineral resources estimates presented in 
this report comply with the requirements of the Australasian Code 
for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore 
Reserves 2012 edition (the JORC Code) which has been used by the 
Group as the minimum standard for the preparation and disclosure 
of the information contained herein. The definitions and categories 
of Ore Reserves and Mineral Resources are set out below.

The information on ore reserves and mineral resources was prepared 
by or under the supervision of Competent Persons as defined in the 
JORC Code. The Competent Persons have sufficient experience 
relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under 
consideration and to the activity which they are undertaking. 
The Competent Persons consent to the inclusion in this report of 
the matters based on their information in the form and context in 
which it appears. The Competent Person for Exploration Results 
and Mineral Resources is Aquiles Gonzalez (CP, Chile), Manager 
of Mineral Resource Evaluation for Antofagasta Minerals S.A. 
The Competent Person for Ore Reserves is Murray Canfield (P.Eng. 
Ontario), Technical Manager of Mining for Antofagasta Minerals S.A.

The Group’s operations and projects are subject to a comprehensive 
programme of audits aimed at providing assurance in respect 
of ore reserves and mineral resources estimates. The audits 
are conducted by suitably qualified Competent Persons from 
within a particular division, another division of the Company or from 
independent consultants.

The ore reserves and mineral resources estimates represent full 
reserves and resources, with the Group’s attributable share for 
each mine shown in the ‘Attributable tonnage’ column. The Group’s 
economic interest in each mine is disclosed in the notes following the 
estimates on pages 192 and 193. The totals in the table may include 
some small apparent differences as the specific individual figures 
have not been rounded.

Definitions and categories of ore reserves 
and mineral resources

A “Mineral Resource” is a concentration or occurrence of material 
of intrinsic economic interest in or on the Earth’s crust in such 
form, quality and quantity that there are reasonable prospects 
for eventual economic extraction. The location, quantity, grade, 
geological characteristics and continuity of a Mineral Resource are 
known, estimated or interpreted from specific geological evidence 
and knowledge. Mineral Resources are sub-divided, in order of 
increasing geological confidence, into Inferred, Indicated and 
Measured categories.

An “Inferred Mineral Resource” is that part of a Mineral Resource 
for which tonnage, grade and mineral content can be estimated 
with a low level of confidence. It is inferred from geological evidence 
and assumed but not verified geological and/or grade continuity. It is 
based on information gathered through appropriate techniques from 
locations such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes 
which may be limited or of uncertain quality and reliability.

186  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Ore reserves estimates

At 31 December 2015

Group subsidiaries
Ore reserves
Los Pelambres (see Note (a))
Proved
Probable
Total
Centinela (see Note (b))
Centinela Concentrates 
Proved
Probable
Sub-total
El Tesoro
Tesoro Central, Tesoro North-East, Mirador
Proved
Probable
Sub-total
El Tesoro ROM (Esperanza Oxides)
Proved
Probable
Sub-total
Total
Centinela Cathodes
Proved
Probable
Sub-total
Centinela Total
Proved
Probable
Total
Antucoya (see Note (c))
Proved
Probable
Total
Encuentro (see Note (d))
Proved
Probable
Total
Michilla (see Note (e))
Proved
Probable
Total
Group total

Tonnage 
(millions of tonnes)

Copper
(%) 

Molybdenum
(%)

Gold 
(g/tonne) 

Attributable 
tonnage
(millions of tonnes)

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

704.4 
604.3 

727.9 
640.0 
1,308.7  1,367.8 

577.0 

616.2 
1,263.4  1,266.3 
1,840.4  1,882.5 

44.3 
39.1 
83.3 

1.3 
103.8 
105.2 
188.5 

45.6 
142.9 
188.5 

56.2 
43.2 
99.4 

7.9 
100.8 
108.7 
208.1 

64.1 
144.0 
208.1 

622.6 

680.3 
1,406.3  1,410.3 
2,028.9  2,090.6 

374.0 
312.6 
686.6 

109.4 
6.2 
115.6 

384.1 
297.6 
681.6 

– 
 –
– 

–
–
–

–
2.7 
2.7 
4,139.8  4,142.8 

0.61 
0.60 
0.61 

0.50 
0.41 
0.44 

0.69 
0.54 
0.62 

0.31 
0.29 
0.29 
0.44 

0.68 
0.36 
0.44 

0.51 
0.41 
0.44 

0.36 
0.31 
0.34 

0.55 
0.42 
0.54 

–
– 
– 
0.48 

0.61 
0.57 
0.59 

0.50 
0.42 
0.44 

0.73 
0.57 
0.66 

0.31 
0.30 
0.30 
0.47 

0.67 
0.38 
0.47 

0.52 
0.41 
0.45 

0.36 
0.31 
0.34 

– 
 –
– 

–
1.20 
1.20 
0.48 

0.022 
0.015 
0.019 

0.022 
0.015 
0.019 

 0.05 
 0.04 
 0.05 

 0.05 
 0.04 
 0.04 

 422.6 
 362.6 
 785.2 

 436.7 
 384.0 
 820.7 

0.012 
0.012 
0.012 

0.011 
0.012 
0.012 

 0.20 
 0.13 
 0.15 

 0.20 
 0.13 
 0.16 

 403.9 
 884.4 
 1,288.3 

 431.3 
 886.4 
 1,317.7 

–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
– 
– 

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
–
–
–

 31.0 
 27.3 
 58.3 

 39.3 
 30.3 
 69.6 

 0.9 
 72.7 
 73.6 
 132.0 

 5.5 
 70.6 
 76.1 
 145.7 

 31.9 
 100.0 
 132.0 

 44.9 
 100.8 
 145.7 

 435.8 
 984.4 

 476.2 
 987.2 
 1,420.2   1,463.4 

 261.8 
 218.8 
 480.6 

 268.8 
 208.3 
 477.2 

 109.4 
 6.2 
 115.6 

–
–
–

–
–
–

–
 2.7 
 2.7 
2,801.7   2,764.0 

Group joint ventures
Zaldívar (see Note (m))
Proved
Probable
Total
Group total

Tonnage 
(millions of tonnes)

Copper
(%) 

Molybdenum
(%)

Gold 
(g/tonne) 

Attributable 
tonnage
(millions of tonnes)

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

374.1 
81.2 
455.3 

–
–
–
4,595.1  4,142.8 

0.55 
0.53 
0.55 
0.49 

–
–
–
0.48 

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–

–
–
–
– 

–
–
–
–

 187.1 
 40.6 
 227.7 

–
–
–
3,029.3   2,764.0 

Antofagasta plc  187

OTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOVERVIEW 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ore reserves and  
mineral resources estimates 
At 31 December 2015

Mineral resources estimates (including ore reserves)

As at 31 December 2015

Tonnage 
(millions of tonnes)

Copper
(%) 

Molybdenum
(%)

Gold 
(g/tonne) 

Attributable 
tonnage
(millions of tonnes)

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

Mineral Resources  
(including ore reserves)
Los Pelambres (see Note (a))
Sulphides
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Total
Centinela (see Note (b))
Centinela Concentrates
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Sub-total
Centinela Cathodes
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Sub-total
Centinela Total
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Total
Antucoya (see Note (c))
Oxides
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Total
Encuentro (see Note (d))
Oxides
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Sub-total
Sulphides
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Sub-total
Total

 1,151.2  1,064.8 
 2,262.8  2,174.9 
3,414.0  3,239.7 
 2,690.1  2,984.4 
6,104.1  6,224.1 

 599.8 

643.4 
 1,650.2  1,660.3 
 2,249.9  2,303.7 
 965.7  1,028.5 
 3,215.7  3,332.2 

 87.9 
 230.0 
 317.9 
 19.8 
 337.7 

 102.4 
 233.7 
336.1 
 22.9 
358.9 

 687.6 

 745.8 
 1,880.2   1,894.0 
 2,567.8  2,639.7 
 985.6   1,051.3 
 3,553.4  3,691.1 

 437.3 
 463.0 
 900.3 
 354.7 

446.7 
442.4 
889.0 
315.4 
 1,255.1  1,204.4 

 134.5 
 43.8 
 178.2 
 1.2 
 179.4 

142.4 
27.8 
170.2 
8.6 
178.8 

 407.9 
 498.2 
 906.1 
 126.9 

424.0 
544.0 
967.9 
172.7 
 1,032.9  1,140.6 
 1,212.4  1,319.4 

0.59 
0.53 
0.55 
0.46 
0.51 

0.49 
0.39 
0.41 
0.32 
0.38 

0.59 
0.34 
0.41 
0.35 
0.41 

0.50 
0.38 
0.41 
0.32 
0.39 

0.34 
0.30 
0.32 
0.27 
0.31 

0.52 
0.31 
0.47 
0.31 
0.46 

0.53 
0.35 
0.43 
0.31 
0.42 
0.42 

0.60 
0.53 
0.55 
0.47 
0.51 

0.48 
0.38 
0.41 
0.31 
0.38 

0.59 
0.35 
0.42 
0.27 
0.41 

0.50 
0.38 
0.41 
0.31 
0.38 

0.34 
0.30 
0.32 
0.28 
0.31 

0.47 
0.31 
0.44 
0.32 
0.44 

0.53 
0.35 
0.43 
0.29 
0.41 
0.41 

0.022 
0.015 
 0.018 
0.015 
 0.016 

 0.023 
 0.015 
 0.018 
 0.015 
 0.017 

0.012 
0.012 
0.012 
0.011 
0.012 

 0.011 
 0.012 
 0.012 
 0.011 
 0.011 

0.05 
0.05 
0.05 
0.06 
0.06 

0.19 
0.12 
0.14 
0.09 
0.13 

0.05 
0.05 
0.05 
0.06 
0.06 

0.19 
0.12 
0.14 
0.09 
0.12 

– 
– 
– 
– 
–

 –
–
– 
 –
–

–
–
– 
–
– 

–
–
– 
–
–

0.015 
0.014 
0.015 
0.012 
0.014 
– 

– 
 –
–
 –
–

 –
 –
–
 –
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

– 
–
– 
–
– 

– 
 –
– 
 –
– 

–
–
– 
–
– 

–
–
– 
–
– 

0.21 
0.17 
0.19 
0.13 
0.18 
–

 –
 –
–
 –
–

 –
 –
–
–
–

–
–
–
– 
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

188  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

 690.7 

 638.9 
 1,357.7   1,305.0 
 2,048.4   1,943.8 
 1,614.1   1,790.7 
 3,662.5   3,734.5 

 419.8 
 1,155.1 
 1,575.0 
 676.0 

 450.4 
 1,162.2 
 1,612.6 
 719.9 
 2,251.0   2,332.5 

 61.5 
 161.0 
 222.5 
 13.9 
 236.4 

 71.7 
 163.6 
 235.3 
 16.0 
 251.3 

 481.3 

 522.1 
 1,316.1   1,325.8 
 1,797.5   1,847.8 
 735.9 
 2,487.4   2,583.8 

 689.9 

 306.1 
 324.1 
 630.2 
 248.3 
 878.6 

 312.7 
 309.6 
 622.3 
 220.8 
 843.1 

 134.5 
 43.8 
 178.2 
 1.2 
 179.4 

 142.4 
 27.8 
 170.2 
 8.6 
 178.8 

 424.0 
 407.9 
 544.0 
 498.2 
 967.9 
 906.1 
 172.7 
 126.9 
 1,032.9 
 1,140.6 
 1,212.4   1,319.4 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Michilla (see Note (e))
Oxides
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Total
Polo Sur (see Note (f))
Oxides
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Sub-total
Sulphides
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Sub-total
Total
Penacho Blanco (see Note (g))
Oxides
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Sub-total
Sulphides
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Sub-total
Total
Mirador (see Note (h))
Oxides
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Sub-total
Sulphides
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Sub-total
Total

Tonnage 
(millions of tonnes)

Copper
(%) 

Molybdenum
(%)

Gold 
(g/tonne) 

Attributable 
tonnage
(millions of tonnes)

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

 22.0 
 23.2 
 45.2 
 15.1 
 60.3 

23.2 
23.6 
46.8 
15.4 
62.2 

–
 86.8 
 86.8 
 38.7 
 125.5 

– 
93.1 
93.1 
29.8 
122.8 

–
 706.1 
 706.1 
 712.2 

–  
690.6 
690.6 
521.8 
 1,418.2  1,212.4 
 1,543.7  1,335.2 

–
–
–
 11.0 
 11.0 

–
–
–
 281.8 
 281.8 
 292.8 

 0.2 
 8.0 
 8.2 
 13.4 
 21.6 

 1.1 
 17.7 
 18.8 
 10.2 
 29.0 
 50.6 

–
–
–
17.5 
17.5 

–
–
–
275.8 
275.8 
293.3 

0.7 
10.2 
 10.9 
22.0 
32.9 

1.5 
35.3 
36.8 
30.7 
67.5 
100.4 

1.72 
1.51 
1.61 
1.72 
1.64 

–
0.43 
0.43 
0.35 
0.40 

–
0.37 
0.37 
0.30 
0.34 
0.34 

–
–
–
0.30 
0.30 

–
–
–
0.41 
0.41 
0.41 

0.47 
0.47 
0.47 
0.28 
0.35 

0.41 
0.36 
0.37 
0.29 
0.34 
0.34 

1.70 
1.50 
1.60 
1.69 
1.62 

– 
0.42 
0.42 
0.33 
0.40 

–  
0.37 
0.37 
0.30 
0.34 
0.35 

–
–
–
0.30 
0.30 

–
–
–
0.43 
0.43 
0.42 

0.46 
0.44 
0.44 
0.27 
0.33 

0.38 
0.34 
0.34 
0.27 
0.31 
0.31 

–
–
– 
–
–

–
 –
– 
 –
– 

–
0.007 
0.007 
0.007 
0.007 
– 

–
–
– 
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
– 
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

– 
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
 –
–

–
0.06 
0.06 
0.05 
0.05 
–

–
–
– 
–
– 

– 
– 
–
0.05 
0.05 
– 

–
–
– 
–
– 

0.15 
0.14 
0.14 
0.09 
0.12 
–

–
–
– 
–
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 

– 
– 
– 
– 
– 
–

–
–
–
– 
– 

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

 22.0 
 23.2 
 45.2 
 15.1 
 60.3 

 23.2 
 23.6 
 46.8 
 15.4 
 62.2 

–
 86.8 
 86.8 
 38.7 
 125.5 

–
 93.1 
 93.1 
 29.8 
 122.8 

–
–
 690.6 
 706.1 
 690.6 
 706.1 
 521.8 
 712.2 
 1,418.2 
 1,212.4 
 1,543.7   1,335.2 

–
–
–
 5.6 
 5.6 

–
–
–
 143.7 
 143.7 
 149.3 

 0.2 
 8.0 
 8.2 
 13.4 
 21.6 

 1.1 
 17.7 
 18.8 
 10.2 
 29.0 
 50.6 

–
–
–
 8.9 
 8.9 

–
–
–
 140.7 
 140.7 
 149.6 

 0.7 
 10.2 
 10.9 
 22.0 
 32.9 

 1.5 
 35.3 
 36.8 
 30.7 
 67.5 
 100.4 

Antofagasta plc  189

OTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOVERVIEW 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ore reserves and  
mineral resources estimates 
At 31 December 2015

Mineral resources estimates (including ore reserves)

As at 31 December 2015

Paleocanal (see Note (i))
Oxides
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Sub-total
Total
Llano (see Note (j))
Oxides
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Sub-total
Total
Los Volcanes (see Note (k))
Oxides
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Sub-total
Sulphides
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Sub-total
Total

Tonnage 
(millions of tonnes)

Copper
(%) 

Molybdenum
(%)

Gold 
(g/tonne) 

Attributable 
tonnage
(millions of tonnes)

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

2014

 10.3 
 3.4 
 13.7 
 0.5 
 14.2 
 14.2 

 26.9 
 3.8 
 30.8 
 0.6 
 31.4 
 31.4 

–
–
–
 30.4 
 30.4 

–
–
– 
–
–
– 

–
–
– 
–
–
–

–
–
–
40.8 
40.8 

–
–
–

– 
– 
– 
 1,873.4  1,240.2 
 1,873.4  1,240.2 
 1,903.8  1,281.0 

0.52 
0.41 
0.49 
0.33 
0.49 
0.49 

0.53 
0.43 
0.52 
0.44 
0.51 
0.51 

–
– 
– 
0.31 
0.31 

– 
– 
– 
0.50 
0.50 
0.50 

–
–
– 
–
–
– 

–
 –
– 
–
– 
–

– 
– 
– 
0.39 
0.39 

–
–
– 
0.47 
0.47 
0.47 

–
–
– 
–
–
– 

–
–
– 
–
–
–

–
–
– 
–
– 

– 
– 
– 
0.011 
0.011 
– 

–
–
–
–
–
– 

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
– 
–
– 
– 

–
–
– 
–
– 
– 

–
–
– 
–
– 

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
– 

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

 9.1 
 3.0 
 12.2 
 0.5 
 12.6 
 12.6 

 19.1 
 2.7 
 21.9 
 0.4 
 22.3 
 22.3 

–
–
–
 15.5 
 15.5 

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
20.8 
20.8 

–
–
–
 955.4 
 955.4 
 970.9 

–
–
–
 632.5 
 632.5 
 653.3 

190  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Twin Metals (see Note (l))
Maturi
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Sub-total
Birch Lake
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Sub-total
Spruce Road
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Sub-total
Maturi Southwest 
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Sub-total
Total
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Group subsidiaries total

Group joint ventures
Zaldívar (see Note (m))
Measured
Indicated
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Group joint ventures total

Total Group
Measured + Indicated 
Inferred
Total

Tonnage 
(millions of tonnes)

Copper
(%) 

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

Nickel
(%)

2014

TPM
(g/tonne Au+Pt+Pd)

Attributable 
tonnage
(millions of tonnes)

2015

2014

2015

2014

 279.5 
 745.5 

279.5 
745.5 
 1,025.0  1,025.0 
481.4 
 1,506.4  1,506.4 

 481.4 

–
 90.4 
 90.4 
 217.0 
 307.4 

–
–
–
 435.5 
 435.5 

–
90.4 
90.4 
217.0 
307.4 

–
–
–
435.5 
435.5 

–
 93.1 
 93.1 
 29.3 
 122.4 

–
93.1 
93.1 
29.3 
122.4 
 2,371.7  2,371.7 
10,084.6  9,993.2 
8,308.9  7,889.6 
18,393.5  17,882.9 

0.63 
0.58 
0.59 
0.49 
0.56 

–
0.52 
0.52 
0.46 
0.48 

–
–
–
0.43 
0.43 

–
0.48 
0.48 
0.43 
0.47 
0.52 
0.48 
0.43 
0.45 

0.63 
0.58 
0.59 
0.49 
0.56 

–
0.52 
0.52 
0.46 
0.48 

–
–
–
0.43 
0.43 

–
0.48 
0.48 
0.43 
0.47 
0.52 
0.47 
0.42 
0.45 

0.20 
0.19 
0.19 
0.16 
0.18 

–
0.16 
0.16 
0.15 
0.15 

–
–
–
0.16 
0.16 

–
0.17 
0.17 
0.15 
0.17 
0.17 
–
 –
 –

 0.20 
 0.19 
0.19 
 0.16 
 0.18 

–
 0.16 
0.16 
 0.15 
 0.15 

–
–
–
 0.16 
 0.16 

–
 0.17 
 0.17 
 0.15 
 0.17 
0.17 
–
 –
 –

0.57 
0.59 
0.58 
0.52 
0.56 

–
0.87 
0.87 
0.64 
0.70 

–
–
–
–
–

–
0.31 
0.31 
0.26 
0.30 
0.46 
–
 –
 –

0.57 
0.59 
0.58 
0.52 
0.56 

–
0.87 
0.87 
0.64 
0.70 

–
–
–
–
–

215.3 
712.5 
 927.7 
433.6 
 1,361.3 

 86.1 
285.0 
 371.1 
 173.4 
 544.5 

–
63.3 
 63.3 
 151.9 
 215.2 

–
–
–
 304.8 
 304.8 

–
25.3 
 25.3 
 60.8 
 86.1 

–
–
–
 121.9 
 121.9 

–
0.31 
0.31 
0.26 
0.30 
0.46 
–
–
–

–
–
26.1 
 65.2 
 26.1 
 65.2 
 8.2 
 20.5 
 34.3 
 85.7 
 1,967.0 
 786.8 
 7,515.8   6,852.7 
 5,501.8   4,715.6 
 13,017.6  11,568.3 

Tonnage 
(millions of tonnes)

Copper
(%) 

2015

2014

2015

2014

2015

Nickel
(%)

2014

TPM
(g/tonne Au+Pt+Pd)

Attributable 
tonnage
(millions of tonnes)

2015

2014

2015

2014

 465.1 
 111.1 
 576.3 
 6.0 
 582.3 

–
–
–
 –
– 

Tonnage 
(millions of tonnes)

2015

2014
10,660.9  9,993.2 
8,314.9  7,889.6 
18,975.7  17,882.9 

0.53 
0.50 
0.52 
0.61 
0.53 

2015
0.48 
0.43 
0.46 

–
–
–
–
–

–
–
–
 –
–

–
 –
–
 –
–

–
–
–
–
–

 –
 –
–
 –
–

 232.6 
 55.6 
 288.1 
 3.0 
 291.1 

–
–
–
–
–

Copper
(%) 

2014
0.47 
0.42 
0.45 

Nickel
(%)

TPM
(g/tonne Au+Pt+Pd)

Attributable 
tonnage
(millions of tonnes)

2015
–
– 
 –

2014
–
 –
 –

2015
–
 –
 –

2014
 –
 –
 –

2015

2014
7,803.9  6,852.7 
5,504.8  4,715.6 
13,308.7  11,568.3 

Antofagasta plc  191

OTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOVERVIEW 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Ore reserves and  
mineral resources estimates 
At 31 December 2015

Notes to ore reserves and mineral 
resources estimates

The ore reserves mentioned in this report were determined 
considering specific cut-off grades for each mine and using a 
long-term copper price of $3.10/lb (unchanged from 2014), $10.00/lb 
molybdenum ($11.00/lb in 2014) and $1,300/oz gold (unchanged from 
2014), unless otherwise noted. These same values have been used 
for copper equivalent (CuEq) estimates, where appropriate.

In order to ensure that the stated resources represent mineralisation 
that has “reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction” 
(JORC Code) the resources are enclosed within pit shells that were 
optimised based on measured, indicated and inferred resources 
and considering a copper price of $3.60/lb (unchanged from 2014). 
Mineralisation estimated outside these pit shells is not included 
in the resource figures unless they can expect to be exploited by 
underground methods.

a) Los Pelambres

Los Pelambres is 60% owned by the Group. The cut-off grade 
applied to the determination of ore reserves is 0.42% copper 
and for mineral resources is 0.35% copper. For 2015, the mineral 
resource model has been updated with 120 drill holes for a total of 
36,073 metres.

The decrease of 70.6 million tonnes in ore reserves is due principally 
to depletion in the period and reflects the remaining capacity of the 
existing tailing dams, limiting the amount of mineral resource that 
can be converted into ore reserves.

Mineral resources in the measured plus indicated categories 
increased by 174 million tonnes while resources in the inferred 
category decreased by 294 million tonnes, reflecting increased 
information from new drill holes improving the confidence in the 
Mineral Resource categories.

b) Centinela (Concentrates & Cathodes)

Centinela is 70% owned by the Group and consists of Centinela 
Concentrates and Centinela Cathodes operations. The cut-off 
grade applied to the determination of ore reserves for Centinela 
Concentrates is 0.20% equivalent copper, with 0.15% copper used 
as a cut-off grade for mineral resources. The cut-off grade used for 
the Centinela Cathodes pits is as follows: Tesoro Central and Tesoro 
North-East deposits is 0.41% copper for ore reserves and 0.31% 
for mineral resources; the Mirador Oxides deposit is 0.30% copper 
for ore reserves and 0.15% for mineral resources. The cut-off grade 
applied to oxides contained in the Centinela Concentrates deposit 
(processed separately as Run-of-Mine leach, or ROM) is 0.20% 
copper for ore reserves and 0.15% copper for mineral resources. 
For 2015 the mineral resource model has not been updated, Centinela 
ore reserves decreased by a net 61.7 million tonnes after depletion 
of 55 million tonnes, and the mineral resources by a net 129 million 
tonnes. The decrease is mainly in Esperanza and Esperanza Sur due 
to updates to the economic parameters in the period. The Centinela 
Cathodes ore reserves are made up of 83.3 million tonnes at 0.62% 
copper of heap-leach and 105.2 million tonnes at 0.29% copper of 
ROM ore.

c) Antucoya

Antucoya is 70% owned by the Group. The cut-off grade applied 
to the determination of ore reserves is 0.16% copper, with 0.15% 
copper used as a cut-off grade for mineral resources.

During 2015, Antucoya began the operations ramp up, with 
12 million tonnes ore depletion. Ore reserves have increased 
by 14 million tonnes mainly due to changes in the density 

192  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

model. Mineral Resources have increased by 50 million tonnes 
due to changes in economic assumption and changes to the 
geo-metallurgical model.

d) Encuentro

Encuentro is 100% owned by the Group. The cut-off grade applied to 
the determination of mineral resources for both oxides and sulphides 
is 0.15% copper.

For 2015, the mineral resource model has been updated by 
refinement of the resource model without additional drill holes. 
The decrease of 106 million tonnes in Mineral Resources is mainly 
due to changes in economic assumptions.

During 2015, after a feasibility study, 115.6 million tonnes of oxide 
mineral resource were converted to ore reserves.

e) Michilla

During 2015, Michilla depleted 2.1 million tonnes and has initiated 
closure activities.

f) Polo Sur

Polo Sur is 100% owned by the Group. The cut-off grade applied 
to the determination of mineral resources for both oxides and 
sulphides is 0.20% copper. For 2015, the mineral resource 
geological model has been updated with 17 drill holes for a total 
of 5,354 metres. The increase of 208 million tonnes in resources is 
due mainly to improved continuity in the resource model, achieved 
by re-modelling the previously separated two main ore bodies into 
one continuous model.

g) Penacho Blanco

Penacho Blanco is 51% owned by the Group. The cut-off grade 
applied to the determination of mineral resources for both oxides 
and sulphides is 0.20% copper.

For 2015, the mineral resource geological model has been updated 
by refinement of resource model without addition drill holes. 
The resource model decreased slightly 0.4 million tonnes due 
principally to economic assumption.

h) Mirador

Mirador is 100% owned by the Group. A portion of the Mirador 
Oxides is subject to an agreement between the Group and 
Centinela, whereby Centinela purchased the rights to mine the 
oxide ore reserves within an identified area. The ore reserves and 
mineral resources for Mirador Oxides subject to the agreement 
with Centinela are included in the Centinela Cathodes section. 
The resources not subject to the agreement are reported in this 
section. The cut-off grade applied to the determination of mineral 
resources for oxides is 0.15% copper and for sulphides is 0.20% 
copper. For 2015, the resource model has not been updated.

i) Paleocanal

Paleocanal deposit is covered by AMSA and Centinela mining 
tenements shared in different proportions. Under these constraints 
the Group owns 88.7% of Paleocanal. The cut-off grade applied to 
the determination of mineral resources for oxides is 0.15% copper. 
For 2015 the resource model has been updated with 71 drill holes 
for a total of 6,258 metres. Paleocanal has been upgraded to 
Mineral Resources in 2015.

j) Llano

Llano deposit is covered by AMSA and Centinela mining tenements shared in different proportions. Under these constraints the Group owns 
71.1% of Llano. The cut-off grade applied to the determination of mineral resources for oxides is 0.15% copper. For 2015, the resource model 
has been updated with 47 drill holes for a total of 7,514 metres. Llano has been upgraded to Mineral Resources in 2015.

k) Los Volcanes

Los Volcanes is 51% owned by the Group. The cut-off grade applied to the determination of mineral resources for both oxides and sulphides 
is 0.20% copper.

For 2015, the mineral resource model has been updated with two extensions of previous drill holes, and additional assaying carried out to 
complete legacy data, for a total of 1,985 metres. The increase of 622 million tonnes in mineral resources is due principally to updated the 
resource model and updates to the economical parameters used in the resource pit shell.

l) Twin Metals Minnesota LLC

At year end the Group had an 82.9% interest in Twin Metals Minnesota LLC (“Twin Metals”), with the remaining percentage held by others. 
During 2015, Antofagasta acquired 100% of Duluth Metals and as a result of this a 100% interest in Twin Metals. Total Mineral Resources did 
not change from 2014 Statement; however for the Group, the attributable copper increased.

Twin Metals has a 70% interest in the Birch Lake Joint Venture (“BLJV”) which holds the Birch Lake, Spruce Road and Maturi Southwest 
deposits, as well as a portion of the main Maturi deposit. The prices used for the Twin Metals resource estimate remain unchanged from 2014.

The cut-off grade applied to the determination of mineral resources is 0.3% copper, which when combined with credits from nickel, platinum, 
palladium and gold, is deemed appropriate for an underground operation. In the resource table “TPM” (Total Precious Metals) refers to the 
sum of platinum, palladium and gold values in grammes per tonne. The TPM value of 0.57 for the Maturi resource estimate is made up of 
0.15 g/tonne platinum, 0.34 g/tonne palladium and 0.08 g/tonne gold. The TPM value of 0.30 for the Maturi Southwest resource estimate is 
made up of 0.08 g/tonne platinum, 0.17 g/tonne palladium and 0.05 g/tonne gold. The TPM value of 0.70 g/tonne for the Birch Lake resource 
estimate is made up of 0.19 g/tonne platinum, 0.41 g/tonne palladium and 0.10 g/tonne gold. The Spruce Road resource estimate does not 
include TPM values as they were not assayed.

m) Zaldívar

Antofagasta acquired 50% of Minera Zaldívar Barrick Gold Corporation. The transaction was completed on 1 December 2015 and Antofagasta 
became the operator of the mine. Reserves included in reserves pit shell considered a copper price of 3.0 US$/lb while the Mineral Resource 
pit shell was 3.50 US$/lb.

n) Other mineral inventory

In addition to the Mineral Resources noted above, the Group has interests in other deposits located in the Antofagasta Region of Chile, some 
of them containing gold and/or molybdenum. At the moment they are in exploration or in the process of resource estimation. The potential 
quantity and grade of each of the deposits is conceptual in nature, there has been insufficient exploration to define these deposits as mineral 
resources, and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the determination of a mineral resource. These include:

(i) In the Michilla District
The Rencoret deposit, owned 100% by the Group.

Mineral deposit
Rencoret
Total

 Tonnes range
(million tonnes)
25
25

15
15

 Grade range
 (% Cu)
1.00
1.00

1.22
1.22

Number 
drill 
 holes
31
31

Ownership 
interest 
 (%)
100.0

Total 
metres
8,300
8,300

(ii) In the El Abra District
Brujulina is a mineral deposit within a few kilometres of the El Abra ore body, located near Calama in the Antofagasta Region of Chile. 
The Mineral Inventory of Brujulina deposit, owned 51% by the Group, is estimated to be in the range of 50 to 80 million tonnes with grades in 
the range of 0.65% to 0.53% copper.

Mineral deposit 
Brujulina
Total

o) Antomin 2 and Antomin Investors

 Tonnes range
(million tonnes)
80
80

50
50

 Grade range
 (% Cu)
0.53
0.53

0.65
0.65

Number 
drill 
 holes
159
159

Ownership 
interest 
 (%)
51.0

Total 
metres
15,300
15,300

The Group has an approximately 51% interest in two indirect subsidiaries, Antomin 2 Limited (“Antomin 2”) and Antomin Investors Limited 
(“Antomin Investors”), which own a number of copper exploration properties in Chile’s Antofagasta Region and Coquimbo Region. 
These include, among others, Penacho Blanco, Los Volcanes (ex-Conchi) and Brujulina (see Note (k) above). The remaining approximately 49% 
of Antomin 2 and Antomin Investors is owned by Mineralinvest Establishment (“Mineralinvest”), a company controlled by the Luksic family.

Further details are set out in Note 36(e) to the financial statements.

Antofagasta plc  193

OTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOVERVIEWMining production and sales, cash cost reconciliation, 
transport and water statistics
For the year ended 31 December 2015

Production

Sales

Net cash costs

Realised prices

2015  
‘000 
tonnes

2014 
‘000 
tonnes

2015 
‘000 
tonnes

2014 
‘000 
tonnes

2015 
US 
dollars

2014 
US dollars

2015 
US 
dollars

2014 
US dollars

363.2 
221.1 
29.4 
12.2 
4.4 
630.3 

391.3 
266.5 
47.0 
0.0 
0.0 
704.8 

366.0 
224.4 
30.8 
9.2 
5.5 
635.9 

386.0 
270.9 
46.1 
0.0 
0.0 
703.0 

1.23 
1.85 
2.14 
n/a
1.73 

1.18 
1.63 
2.38 
n/a
n/a

2.24 
2.33 
2.49 
0.00 
0.00 

2.95 
2.97 
3.30 
0.00 
0.00 

1.50 

1.43 

2.28 

3.00 

1.58 
1.81 

1.65 
1.83 

1.51 
(0.28)
1.23 

1.56 
(0.38)
1.18 

2.27 
(0.42)
1.85 

2.12 
(0.49)
1.63 

2015
US$m

2014
US$m
3,090.2  3,562.0 

(576.1)
(10.2)

(581.7)
23.9 

(67.6)
(101.9)
(94.0)

(99.2)
(167.5)
(97.3)

(75.4)

(76.5)
2,165.0  2,563.7 
621,200  703,000 

3,485 

3,647 

1.58 

1.65 

Production and sales volumes,  
realised prices and cash cost by mine
Copper
Los Pelambres
Centinela
Michilla
Antucoya
Zaldívar (attributable basis – 50%)
Group total
Group weighted average (net cash cost)
Group weighted average  
(excluding tolling charges and before by products)
Group weighted average (before by-products)

Cash cost at Los Pelambres comprise
Cash cost before by-product credits*
By-product credits (principally molybdenum and gold)
Net cash cost

*  Includes tolling charges of $0.27/lb and $0.21/lb for 2015 and 2014 respectively.

Cash cost at Centinela comprise
Cash cost before by-product credits
By-product credits (principally gold)
Net cash cost

* Includes tolling charges of $0.20/lb and $0.16/lb for 2015 and 2014 respectively.

Group cash cost reconciliation
Total Group operating cost
Less:
Total – Depreciation and amortisation
Total – (Loss)/gain on disposal
Elimination of non-mining operations
Corporate and other items – Total operating cost
Exploration and evaluation – Total operating cost
Railway and other transport services – Total operating cost
Closure provision and other expenses not  
included within cash cost
Total cost relevant to the mining operation’s cash cost
Copper sales volumes – excluding Antucoya and Zaldívar (tonnes)
Cash cost excluding tolling charges and by-product revenues  
($ per tonne) 
Cash cost excluding tolling charges and by-product revenues 
(cents per lb) 

194  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

LME average

Gold
Los Pelambres
Centinela Concentrates
Group total
Market average price

Molybdenum
Los Pelambres
Market average price

Semiannual information
Group Total
Total copper production volume (‘000 tonnes)
Total copper sales volume (‘000 tonnes)
Total gold production volume (‘000 ounces)
Total gold sales volume (‘000 ounces)
Total molybdenum production volume (‘000 tonnes)
Total molybdenum sales volume (‘000 tonnes)
Weighted average realised copper price (dollars per pound)
Realised gold price (dollars per ounce)
Realised molybdenum price (dollars per pound)
Weighted average cash costs (dollars per pound)
 – before by-product credits
 – net of by-product credits

Los Pelambres (60% owned)
Daily average ore treated (’000 tonnes) 
Average ore grade (%) 
Average recovery (%)
Copper production (’000 tonnes) 
Copper sales (’000 tonnes) 
Average moly ore grade (%) 
Average moly recovery (%)
Molybdenum production (’000 tonnes) 
Molybdenum sales (’000 tonnes) 
Gold production (’000 ounces) 
Gold sales (’000 ounces) 
Cash costs before by-product credits (dollars per pound) 
Net cash costs (dollars per pound)

Production

Sales

Realised prices

2015  
‘000 
tonnes

2014 
‘000 
tonnes

2015 
‘000 
tonnes

2014 
‘000 
tonnes

‘000  
ounces
51.4 
162.5 
213.8 

‘000 
ounces
66.5 
204.4 
270.8 

‘000 
ounces
53.4 
165.8 
219.2 

‘000 
ounces
63.8 
203.6 
267.4 

‘000 
ounces
10.1 

‘000 
ounces
7.9 

‘000 
ounces
9.9 

‘000 
ounces
8.2 

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

 146.4 
 147.9 
 57.4 
 59.3 
 2.1 
 1.9 
 2.5 
 1,252 
 7.6 

 156.9 
 142.3 
 55.1 
 46.8 
 2.6 
 2.5 
 2.6 
 1,184 
 6.6 

 157.0 
 165.6 
 45.7 
 55.3 
 2.6 
 2.6 
 2.1 
 1,107 
 4.8 

 169.9 
 180.3 
 55.7 
 57.9 
 2.8 
 2.8 
 2.0 
 1,077 
 4.3 

2015 
US 
dollars

2.50 

2014 
US  
dollars
3.11 

$/ounce

1,141 
1,158 
1,155 
1,160 

$/ounce
1,265 
1,261 
1,262 
1,266 

$/pound

5.7 
6.7 

$/pound
11.0 
11.4 

2015
Full year 

2014
Full year 

630.3 
635.9 
213.9 
219.2 
10.1 
9.9 
2.3 
1,155 
5.7 

704.8 
703.0 
270.9 
267.4 
7.9 
8.2 
3.0 
1,262 
11.0 

 1.83 
 1.43 

 1.93 
 1.60 

1.67 
1.42 

1.65 
1.38 

1.81 
1.50 

1.83 
1.43 

 151.8 
 0.69 
 87.0 
 78.8 
 79.9 
 0.02 
 81.3 
 2.1 
 1.9 
 11.3 
 12.4 
 1.60 
 1.27 

 181.5 
 0.66 
 86.1 
 90.6 
 83.5 
 0.02 
 80.1 
 2.6 
 2.5 
 11.0 
 10.1 
 1.73 
 1.44 

 169.7 
 0.72 
 89.2 
 96.2 
 98.9 
 0.02 
 83.8 
 2.6 
 2.6 
 13.2 
 13.6 
1.32 
1.08 

 170.2 
 0.72 
 89.3 
 97.6 
 103.8 
 0.02 
 76.6 
 2.8 
 2.8 
 15.9 
 17.3 
1.40 
1.15 

168.2 
 0.70 
87.9 
363.2 
366.0 
 0.02 
80.4 
10.1 
9.9 
51.4 
53.4 
1.50 
1.23 

176.3 
 0.70 
89.4 
391.3 
386.0 
 0.02 
83.8 
7.9 
8.2 
66.5 
63.8 
1.56 
1.18 

Antofagasta plc  195

OTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOVERVIEWMining production and sales, cash cost reconciliation, transport and water statistics

Semiannual information
Centinela Concentrate (70% owned)
Daily average ore treated (’000 tonnes)
Average ore grade (%)
Average recovery (%)
Copper production (’000 tonnes)
Copper sales (’000 tonnes) 
Average gold ore grade (g/tonne) 
Average gold recovery (%) 
Gold production (’000 ounces) 
Gold sales (’000 ounces) 

Centinela Cathodes (70% owned)
Daily average ore treated (’000 tonnes)
Average ore grade (%) 
Average recovery (%) 
Copper production – heap-leach (’000 tonnes) 
Copper production – total (’000 tonnes) 
Copper sales (’000 tonnes) 

Centinela (70% owned)
Cash costs before by-product credits (dollars per pound) 
Net cash costs (dollars per pound)

Michilla (99.9% owned)
Daily average ore treated (’000 tonnes) 
Average ore grade (%) 
Average recovery (%) 
Copper production – heap-leach (’000 tonnes) 
Copper production – total (’000 tonnes)
Copper cathodes – sales volume (’000 tonnes)
Cash costs (dollars per pound) 

Transport (100% owned)
Total tonnage transported (’000 tonnes) 

Q1

Q2

Q3

Q4

2015
Full year 

2014
Full year 

 74.7 
 0.71 
 88.0 
 38.4 
 37.8 
 0.3 
 78.8 
 46.1 
 46.9 

 25.4 
 1.17 
 70.6 
 19.2 
 21.9 
 21.8 

 82.9 
 0.62 
 86.6 
 39.9 
 32.8 
 0.3 
 71.6 
 44.1 
 36.7 

 26.2 
 0.96 
 64.8 
 15.2 
 18.1 
 18.2 

 85.9 
 0.51 
 84.2 
 31.9 
 39.7 
 0.2 
 69.8 
 32.5 
 41.7 

 25.0 
 0.97 
 71.1 
 15.7 
 18.7 
 19.0 

 93.3 
 0.50 
 83.0 
 34.9 
 35.4 
 0.2 
 68.0 
 39.8 
 40.6 

 25.0 
 0.85 
 69.6 
 14.3 
 17.2 
 19.8 

84.2 
 0.58 
85.5 
145.2 
145.6 
0.2 
72.3 
162.5 
165.8 

25.4 
 0.98 
68.9 
64.4 
75.9 
78.8 

85.8 
 0.65 
88.2 
172.8 
178.8 
0.3 
74.7 
204.4 
203.6 

25.2 
 1.31 
70.5 
83.6 
93.8 
92.1 

 2.06 
 1.58 

 2.22 
 1.77 

2.36 
2.02 

2.47 
2.08 

2.27 
1.85 

2.12 
1.63 

 6.8 
 1.00 
 78.1 
 5.6 
 7.3 
 8.4 
 2.48 

 7.1 
 1.35 
 79.3 
 6.0 
 8.3 
 7.8 
 2.04 

 6.80 
 1.43 
 78.9 
 6.1 
 8.0 
 8.0 
2.06 

 2.90 
 1.35 
 74.0 
 4.4 
 5.8 
 6.7 
1.97 

5.9 
 1.28 
78.2 
22.1 
29.4 
30.8 
2.14 

12.2 
 1.13 
79.5 
40.1 
47.0 
46.1 
2.38 

 1,714 

 1,693 

 1,482 

 1,742 

 6,805 

 7,302 

196  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Banco de Chile

Banco de Chile, a subsidiary of Quiñenco. 

Energía Andina

Energía Andina S.A., a 50%-owned joint venture entity 
of the Group incorporated in Chile.

Glossary and definitions

Business, financial and accounting
ADASA

Aguas de Antofagasta S.A., a wholly owned subsidiary 
of the Group operating the water concession in Chile’s 
Antofagasta Region that was sold in June 2015.

ADR

AIFR

Alto Maipo

AMSA

American Depositary Receipt.

All Injury Frequency Rate.

Alto Maipo SpA, a 40%-owned associate of the Group 
incorporated in Chile, which owns the Alto Maipo 
hydroelectric project in the upper section of the Maipo 
River in Chile.

Antofagasta Minerals S.A., a wholly owned subsidiary 
of the Group incorporated in Chile,  
which acts as the corporate centre for the 
mining division.

Annual report

The Annual Report and Financial Statements of 
Antofagasta plc.

Duluth

EBITDA

ECONSSA

EIA 

El Arrayán

El Tesoro

Minera Antucoya S.A., a 70%-owned subsidiary of the 
Group incorporated in Chile.

ENAP

Antofagasta Terminal Internacional S.A., 
a 30%-owned associate of the Group incorporated in 
Chile and operating the port in the city of Antofagasta.

Encuentro

Australian currency.

Antucoya

ATI

Australian  
dollars

Barrick Gold

Capex

Cash costs

CCU

CDP

Centinela

Centinela 
Mining District

Barrick Gold Corporation, incorporated in Canada, 
the joint venture partner of the Group in Tethyan 
and Zaldívar. 

EPS

Esperanza

Capital expenditure(s).

Esperanza Sur

ESSAN

ETF 

EU

FCA

FCAB

A measure of the cost of operational production 
expressed in terms of US dollars per pound of 
payable copper produced. Cash costs are stated 
net of by-product credits and include tolling charges 
for concentrates for Los Pelambres and Centinela 
Concentrates. Cash costs exclude depreciation, 
financial income and expenses, hedging gains and 
losses, exchange gains and losses and corporation tax.

Compañía de Cervecerías Unidas S.A., an associate 
of Quiñenco.

Carbon Disclosure Project.

Minera Centinela S.A., a 70%-owned subsidiary of the 
Group incorporated in Chile, that holds the Centinela 
Concentrates (formerly Esperanza) and Centinela 
Cathodes (formerly El Tesoro) operations.

Copper district located in the Antofagasta Region of 
Chile, where Centinela is located. Formerly known as 
the Sierra Gorda district.

CGU

Cash-Generating Unit.

Chilean peso

Chilean currency.

Comex

Companies  
Act 2006

Company

The commodity exchange, the primary market 
for trading metals such as gold, silver, copper 
and aluminium.

Principal legislation for United Kingdom company law.

Antofagasta plc.

Continental water Water that comes from the interior of land masses 

Corporate 
Governance  
Code 

including rain, snow, streams, rivers, lakes 
and groundwater.

The UK Corporate Governance Code is a set of 
principles of good corporate governance, most of 
which have their own set of more detailed provisions 
published by the Financial Reporting Council and most 
recently updated in September 2014.

Directors

The Directors of the Company.

Duluth Metals Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of 
Antofagasta plc acquired on 28 January 2015 through 
which the Group holds the Twin Metals Project.

Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation 
and Amortisation.

Empresa Concesionaria de Servicios Sanitarios S.A., 
the Chilean state-owned company which previously 
operated the regulated and non-regulated water 
distribution business in Chile’s Antofagasta Region 
(formerly known as ESSAN).

Environmental Impact Assessment. 

Parque Eólico el Arrayán SPA, a 30%-owned associate 
of the Group that operates a wind-power plant 
providing up to 40MW of electricity to Los Pelambres.

Known as Centinela Cathodes following the creation 
of Centinela.

Empresa Nacional del Petróleo, the 50% joint venture 
partner of the Group in Energía Andina S.A.

Copper oxide and sulphide prospect located in 
the Centinela Mining District, formerly known 
as Caracoles.

Earnings per share.

Known as Centinela Concentrates following the 
creation of Centinela.

Copper prospect located in the Centinela Mining 
District. Formerly known as Telégrafo.

Empresa de Servicios Sanitarios S.A., former name 
of ECONSSA.

Exchange Traded Fund. 

European Union.

Financial Conduct Authority.

Ferrocarril de Antofagasta a Bolivia, the Chilean 
name for the Antofagasta Railway Company plc, a 
wholly owned subsidiary of the Group incorporated 
in the UK and operating a rail network in Chile’s 
Antofagasta Region.

FTSE All‑Share Index A market-capitalisation weighted index representing 

GAAP

GHG

the performance of all eligible companies listed on the 
London Stock Exchange’s main market.

Generally Accepted Accounting Practice or Generally 
Accepted Accounting Principles.

Greenhouse Gas.

Government

The Government of the Republic of Chile.

Group

Hedge  
accounting

IAS

IASB

ICMM 

IFRIC

IFRS

Inversiones  
Hornitos

Antofagasta plc and its subsidiary companies and 
joint ventures.

Accounting treatment for derivatives financial 
instrument permitted under IAS 39 “Financial 
Instruments: Recognition and Measurement“, which 
recognises the offsetting effects on profit or loss of 
changes in the fair values of a hedging instrument and 
the hedged item.

International Accounting Standards.

International Accounting Standards Board.

International Council on Metals and Mining. 

International Financial Reporting 
Interpretations Committee.

International Financial Reporting Standards.

Inversiones Hornitos S.A., a 40%-owned associate 
of the Group incorporated in Chile which owns the 
150MW Hornitos thermoelectric power plant in 
Mejillones in Chile’s Antofagasta Region.

Antofagasta plc  197

OTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOVERVIEWGlossary and definitions

IVA

Impuesto al Valor Agregado, or Chilean Value 
Added Tax (Chilean VAT).

Tesoro Central and 
Tesoro Noreste

Copper oxide deposits that form part of the 
Centinela operation.

Key Management  
Personnel

Persons with authority and responsibility for planning, 
directing and controlling the activities of the Group.

KPI

LBMA 

LIBOR

LME

Key performance indicator.

London Bullion Market Association. 

London Inter Bank Offer Rate.

London Metal Exchange.

Los Pelambres

Minera Los Pelambres S.A., a 60%-owned subsidiary 
of the Group incorporated in Chile.

LSE

LTIFR

LTIP 

Madeco

Marubeni

Michilla

Mirador

Platts 

PPA

Provisional  
pricing

Quiñenco 

Ramsar  
Convention 

Realised prices

Reko Diq

Run‑of‑river

SERNAGEOMIN

SHFE

Sterling

SVS

London Stock Exchange.

Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate.

Long Term Incentive Plan which the Group’s CEO, 
Executive Committee and the other senior managers 
participate in. 

Madeco S.A., a subsidiary of Quiñenco.

Marubeni Corporation, the Group’s 30% minority 
partner in Centinela and Antucoya.

Minera Michilla S.A., a 99.9%-owned subsidiary 
of the Group incorporated in Chile.

Copper oxide deposit that forms part of the 
Centinela operation.

A provider of energy and metals information and 
source of benchmark price assessments. 

Power Purchase Agreement.

A sales term in several copper and molybdenum 
concentrate sale agreements and cathodes sale 
agreements that provides for provisional pricing of 
sales at the time of shipment, with final pricing being 
based on the monthly average LME copper price 
or monthly average molybdenum price for specific 
future periods, normally ranging from 30 to 180 days 
after delivery to the customer. For the purposes of 
IAS 39, the provisional sale is considered to contain 
an embedded derivative (ie the forward contract for 
which the provisional sale is subsequently adjusted) 
that is separated from the host contract (ie the sale of 
metals contained in the concentrate or cathode at the 
provisional invoice price less tolling charges deducted).

Quiñenco S.A., a Chilean financial and industrial 
conglomerate under the control of the Luksic family 
and listed on the Santiago Stock Exchange.

International treaty for the conservation and 
sustainable utilisation of wetlands.

Effective sale price achieved comparing revenues 
(grossed up for tolling charges for concentrate) with 
sales volumes.

Reko Diq is a substantial copper-gold porphyry district 
in south-west Pakistan. The Group’s interest was held 
through Tethyan.

A type of hydroelectric plant using the flow of a river 
as it occurs and having little or no reservoir capacity.

Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería, a government 
agency that provides geological and technical advice 
and regulates the mining industry in Chile.

Shanghai Futures Exchange. 

UK currency.

Superintendencia de Valores y Seguros de Chile, the 
Chilean securities regulator.

Telégrafo

The former name of Esperanza Sur. 

198  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Tethyan

TSR

Twin Metals  
Minnesota  
Project

UK

UKLA

US

US dollars

Zaldívar 

Tethyan Copper Company Limited, a 50-50 joint 
venture with Barrick Gold incorporated in Australia.

Total Shareholder Return, being the movement in the 
Company’s share price plus reinvested dividends.

A copper, nickel and platinum group metals (strategic 
metals) underground-mining project located in north-
eastern Minnesota.

United Kingdom.

United Kingdom Listing Authority.

United States.

United States currency.

Compañia Minera Zaldívar SpA, a 50-50 joint venture 
with Barrick Gold Corporation, which operates the 
Zaldívar copper mine in Chile.

Mining industry
Brownfield project

A development or exploration project in the vicinity 
of an existing operation.

By‑products 
(credits in copper 
concentrates)

Concentrate

Contained copper

Copper cathode

Cut‑off grade

Flotation

Grade A 
copper cathode

Greenfield project

Heap‑leaching

JORC

Leaching

Products obtained as a result of copper processing. 
Los Pelambres and Centinela Concentrates receive 
credit for the gold and silver content in the copper 
concentrate sold. Los Pelambres also produces 
molybdenum concentrate.

The product of a physical concentration process, such 
as flotation or gravity concentration, which involves 
separating ore minerals from unwanted waste rock. 
Concentrates require subsequent processing (such 
as smelting or leaching) to break down or dissolve 
the ore minerals and obtain the desired elements, 
usually metals.

The proportion or quantity of copper contained 
in a given quantity of ore or concentrate.

Refined copper produced by electrolytic refining 
of impure copper by electrowinning.

The lowest grade of mineralised material considered 
economic to process and used in the calculation  
of ore reserves and mineral resources.

A process of separation by which chemicals in solution 
are added to materials, some of which are attracted to 
bubbles and float, while others sink. This results in the 
production of concentrate.

Highest-quality copper cathode (LME registered 
and certified in the case of Centinela Cathodes 
and Michilla).

The development or exploration of a new project 
at a previously undeveloped site.

A process for the recovery of copper from ore. 
The crushed material is laid on a slightly sloping, 
impermeable pad and leached by uniformly trickling 
(gravity fed) chemical solution through the beds to 
ponds. The metal is then recovered from the solution 
through the SX-EW process.

The Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee.

The process by which a soluble mineral can be 
economically recovered by dissolution.

Life‑of‑Mine (“LOM”) The remaining life of a mine expressed in years, 

calculated by reference to scheduled production rates 
(ie comparing the rate at which ore is expected to be 
extracted from the mine to current defined reserves).

Currency abbreviations
$ 

US dollar. 

$’000 

$m 

£ 

£’000 

£m 

p 

C$

C$m 

Ch$ 

Ch$’000 

Ch$m 

A$ 

A$’000 

A$m 

Thousand US dollars. 

Million US dollars. 

Pound sterling. 

Thousand pounds sterling. 

Million pounds sterling. 

Pence sterling. 

Canadian dollar.

Million Canadian dollars. 

Chilean peso. 

Thousand Chilean pesos. 

Million Chilean pesos. 

Australian dollar. 

Thousand Australian dollars. 

Million Australian dollars.

Definitions and conversion  
of weights and measures
lb

Pound.

oz 

’000 m3 

A troy ounce. 

Thousand cubic metres. 

’000 tonnes 

Thousand metric tonnes. 

1 kilogramme = 

2.2046 pounds. 

1 metric tonne =

1,000 kilogrammes. 

1 kilometre =

0.6214 miles. 

1 troy ounce =

31.1 grammes.

Chemical symbols
Cu 

Copper. 

Mo

Au 

Ag 

Molybdenum.

Gold. 

Silver.

Mineral resources Material of intrinsic economic interest occurring in 

such form and quantity that there are reasonable 
prospects for eventual economic extraction. 
Mineral resources are stated inclusive of ore reserves, 
as defined by JORC.

MW

Megawatts (one million watts).

Net cash cost

Gross cash cost plus by-product credits. 

Open pit

Ore

Ore grade

Ore reserves

Oxide and 
Sulphide ores

Payable copper

Porphyry

Run‑of‑Mine  
(“ROM”)

Stockpile

SX‑EW

Tailings dam

TC/RCs

Tolling charges

tpd

Mine working or excavation that is open to 
the surface.

Rock from which metal(s) or mineral(s) can be 
economically and legally extracted.

The relative quantity, or percentage, of metal content 
in an ore body or quantity of processed ore.

Part of Mineral Resources for which appropriate 
assessments have been carried out to demonstrate 
that at a given date extraction could be reasonably 
justified. These include consideration of and 
modification by realistically assumed mining, 
metallurgical, economic, marketing, legal, 
environmental, social and governmental factors.

Different kinds of ore containing copper. Oxide ore 
occurs on the weathered surface of ore-rich lodes 
and normally results in the production of cathode 
copper through a heap-leaching process. Sulphide ore 
comes from an unweathered parent ores process 
and normally results in the production of concentrate 
through a flotation process which then requires 
smelting and refining to produce cathode copper.

The proportion or quantity of contained 
copper for which payment is received after 
metallurgical deduction.

A large body of rock which contains disseminated 
chalcopyrite and other sulphide minerals. Such a 
deposit is mined in bulk on a large scale, generally in 
open pits, for copper and its by-product molybdenum.

A process for the recovery of copper from ore, 
typically used for low-grade ores. The mined, 
uncrushed ore is leached with a chemical solution. 
The metal is then recovered from the solution through 
the SX-EW process.

Material extracted and piled for future use.

Solvent extraction and electrowinning. A process 
for extracting metal from an ore and producing pure 
metal. First the metal is leached into solution; the 
resulting solution is then purified in the solvent-
extraction process; the solution is then treated in an 
electrochemical process (electrowinning) to recover 
cathode copper.

Construction used to deposit the rock waste which 
remains as a result of the concentrating process after 
the recoverable minerals have been extracted in 
concentrate form.

Treatment and refining charges, being terms used 
to set the smelting and refining charge or margin for 
processing copper concentrate and normally set either 
on an annual or spot basis.

Charges or margins for converting concentrate 
into finished metal. These include TC/RCs, price 
participation and price sharing for copper concentrate 
and roasting charges for molybdenum concentrate.

Tonnes per day, normally with reference to the 
quantity of ore processed over a given period of time 
expressed as a daily average.

Underground mine Natural or man-made excavation under the surface 

of the ground.

Antofagasta plc  199

OTHER INFORMATIONSTRATEGIC REPORTGOVERNANCEFINANCIAL STATEMENTSOVERVIEWShareholder information

Annual General Meeting

Registrars

The Annual General Meeting will be held at Church House 
Conference Centre, Dean’s Yard, Westminster, London SW1P 3NZ 
at 10.00 am on Wednesday, 18 May 2016. The formal notice of the 
Annual General Meeting and resolutions to be proposed are set out 
in the Notice of Annual General Meeting.

London Stock Exchange listing and share price

The Company’s shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange.

The Company’s American Depositary Receipts (“ADRs”) also trade 
on the over-the-counter market in the United States. Each ADR 
represents the right to receive two ordinary shares.

Share capital

Details of the Company’s ordinary share capital are given in Note 31 
to the financial statements.

Computershare Investor Services PLC 
The Pavilions  
Bridgwater Road 
Bristol BS99 6ZZ 
United Kingdom 
Tel: +44 (0)37 0702 0159 
www.computershare.com

Website

Antofagasta plc’s annual and half-yearly financial reports, press 
releases and other presentations are available on the Group’s website 
at www.antofagasta.co.uk.

Registered office

Cleveland House  
33 King Street 
London SW1Y 6RJ  
United Kingdom 
Tel: +44 20 7808 0988

Santiago office

Antofagasta Minerals 
Av. Apoquindo 4001 – Piso 18 
Santiago, Chile 
Tel: +562 2798 7000

Registered number

1627889

Additional information can be found in the Shareholder Information 
section of the Notice of Annual General Meeting and on the 
Group’s website.

200  Antofagasta plc Annual report and financial statements 2015

Directors and advisors

Directors
Jean-Paul Luksic
William Hayes
Gonzalo Menéndez
Ramón Jara
Juan Claro
Hugo Dryland
Tim Baker
Manuel Lino Silva De Sousa-Oliveira (Ollie Oliveira)
Andrónico Luksic
Vivianne Blanlot
Jorge Bande

Chairman
Non-Executive
Non-Executive
Non-Executive
Non-Executive
Non-Executive
Non-Executive
Non-Executive
Non-Executive
Non-Executive
Non-Executive

Company secretary 

Julian Anderson

Auditor 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 

Solicitor 

Clifford Chance LLP

Financial advisors

N M Rothschild & Sons

Stockbrokers

Bank of America Merrill Lynch

J.P. Morgan Cazenove

Banker

The Royal Bank of Scotland plc

Design and production

Radley Yeldar www.ry.com 

Printing

CPI Colour 

CPI Colour is FSC® and ISO 14001 certified with strict procedures in place to safeguard 
the environment through all processes. 

This Report has been printed on Essential Velvet which is a wood free coated paper and 
FSC® certified. 

FSC® – Forest Stewardship Council®. This ensures that there is an audited chain of custody from 
the tree in the well-managed forest through to the finished document in the printing factory. 

ISO 14001 – A pattern of control for an environmental management system against which 
an organisation can be credited by a third party.

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Visit www.antofagasta.co.uk 
for up-to-date investor information 
including our past financial results.

Antofagasta plc
Cleveland House 
33 King Street 
London 
SW1Y 6RJ 
United Kingdom