Camino Minerals Corporation Advances Puquios Copper Project
Camino Minerals Corporation (TSX Venture Exchange: COR) announced that it has entered the detailed engineering phase of its Puquios copper project in Chile. The company, which is jointly owned 50 % by Nittetsu Mining Co., Ltd. through Cuprum Resources Chile SpA, has begun detailed engineering services with Ausenco Chile Ltda. (Ausenco), following the completion of the Critical Engineering Phase study.
Key Details of the Detailed Engineering Phase
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Total Engineering Hours | Approximately 85,000 specialized engineering work hours |
| Phase Duration | 12‑month schedule, designed to keep the project on track for construction |
| Capital Allocation | US $6.2 million allocated within the project’s capital expenditure budget |
| Objectives | Produce precise data to streamline procurement, reduce field rework, and enable constructability optimization through advanced 2‑D and 3‑D modeling |
The transition to detailed engineering is intended to lock in technical specifications and prepare the Puquios Project for the construction phase. CEO Jay Chmelauskas emphasized that the company remains focused on milestone tracking and cost control as it progresses toward breaking ground. The company is also working closely with Nittetsu to secure a potential Japanese debt facility that could support the start of construction.
Strategic Context
Camino Minerals Corporation, a discovery and development‑stage copper exploration company, is advancing several assets. In addition to the Puquios project, the company is developing the IOCG Costa de Cobre copper project in Peru (with Nittetsu Mining), the Maria Cecilia copper porphyry project, and the Plata Dorada copper and silver project. The Puquios project is a key component of Camino’s strategy to acquire a portfolio of advanced copper assets capable of contributing to the global copper‑intensive economy.
The company’s focus on detailed engineering with a reputable engineering firm such as Ausenco—who has extensive experience in the minerals and metals industry—underscores its commitment to technical rigor and risk mitigation as it moves toward construction readiness.
Source: Stockwatch.com, Finanznachrichten.de, ceo.ca (October 27, 2026).
