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Company History


1978.- Grupo Industrial Minera Mexico (GIMMEX) is created by the Mexican controlling group and is listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange (GIMMEX).

1980.- Construction of a new Zinc Refinery with a capacity of 106,000 metric tons per year, representing an investment of US $200 million. Started operations in 1982.

1988.- 95% of Mexicana de Cobre is acquired by public auction from the Mexican government. for US$690 million

1989.- Expansion of Mexicana de Cobre Concentrator Plant is completed increasing the capacity from 70,000 to 90,000 metric tons of ore per day.

1990.- 100% of the mine at Cananea, Sonora is acquired from the Mexican government by public auction through a consortium formed by Mexicana de Cobre (76%) and Acec Union Miniere (24%) for US$525 million, with a commitment to invest an additional US$400 million

1990-1994.- US$474 million invested in mine stripping, modernization, and new equipment for the complex at Cananea, Sonora.

1994.- GMEXICO is created and listed on the Mexican Stock Exchange, replacing GIMMEX.

1995.- Construction of the La Caridad Leaching Plant (SX/EW) with an annual production capacity of 22,000 metric tons, representing a total investment of US$50 million.

Expansion of the Concentrator Plant (SX/EW) with an annual production capacity of 22,000 metric tons, representing a total investment of US$50 million.

Expansion of the Cananea Concentrator Plant, increasing milling capacity from 60,000 to 80,000 metric tons per day.

1996.- Expansion of the La Caridad Smelter Plant, increasing smelting capacity from 180,000 to 300,000 tons of concentrate per year; full compliance is met with international environmental regulations. Total capital investment was US$150 million.

1997.- Construction of the La Caridad Refinery with a capacity of 300,000 metric tons per year copper in refined copper production and a total of US $ 175 million was invested.

GMEXICO acquires 24% participation in the Cananea Mine, Sonora from Acec Union Miniere due to the termination of the commercial contract copper.

In a public auction, through a consortium formed by GMEXICO (74%), Union Pacific (13%) and ICA (13%), acquires for US$575 million the concession of the North-Pacific, Chihuahua-Pacifico and the short line Nogales-Cananea railroad lines and is created Grupo Ferroviario Mexicano (GFM) with its subsidiary Ferrocarril Mexicano, S.A. de C.V. (Ferromex). Three months later, Union Pacific acquires the ICA portion of the GFM´s ownership.

1998.- A Rod Plant was built in La Caridad, Sonora Complex with a capacity of 150,000 metric tons per year.

A new Precious Metals Refinery, with an annual capacity of 15 million ounces of silver and 100,000 ounces of gold, is built at the Metallurgical Complex in La Caridad, Sonora.

1999.- GMEXICO acquires all common stock controlled by Asarco Incorporated (54.2%) in Southern Peru Copper Corporation, a Delaware company listed on the NYSE. This US$2.5 billion acquisition makes GMEXICO the second largest copper company in terms of copper reserves, the third largest copper producer, and the fourth largest silver producer in the world.

2000.- Expansion and Modernization of the Concentrator Plant at Cuajone, Peru, from 60,000 to 100,000 metric tons of ore per day, representing an investment of over US$200 million

2001.- The "Torata" project in Peru is consolidated; representing an investment of US$80 million, optimizing and expanding the mine at Cuajone, Peru, increasing ore reserves from 10 to 40 years.

2002.- Expansion of the SX/EW plant at Cananea, Sonora, increasing the annual cathode production from 33,000 to 87,000 metrics tons.

2003.- Expansion of the concentrator at Toquepala, Peru from 42,000 to 60,000 metric tons of ore per day, representing an investment of US$60 million

2004.- Construction begins on a new smelter in Ilo, Peru, with an capacity of 1.2 million tons of concentrate, meeting compliance with Peruvian and international environmental regulations, expected to start operations in 2007.

2005.- In April 2005, Southern Peru Copper Corporation acquires Minera México and its subsidiaries, through a stock purchase agreement. With the transaction, GMexico increases its indirect interest in the capital stock of SPCC, from 54.2% to 75.1%.

In June, SPCC Stakeholders founders: “Cerro Trading Company”, Phelps Dodge Overseas Capital Corp., and Climax Molybdenum, sell their equity holdings through a secondary stock offer.

In October, Southern Peru Copper Corporation changes its name to Southern Copper Corporation.

In November, GMexico's railroad division acquires the railroad company Ferrosur, S.A. de C.V., strengthening its transportation network in Mexico.

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