In the Antamina Pit   -   After a comprehensive briefing by Antamina geological staff in Huaraz on the previous afternoon and evening, the group travelled to the mine next morning for the on site visit.
Lower: Chief Geologist Eric Lipten (right) and Manuel Pacheco give an overview from the mirador before going down into the pit to traverse across the ore zone from marble to skarn to porphyry.
Top: View of the pit from the mirador at 4800 m above sea level.

The group had departed the Andino Club Hotel at 6:10 am, and drove south for 80 km before turning east. Soon after, they had to stop at an Antamina altitude acclimatisation station. Departed again at 7:55 am, driving across open land before winding up into the range to the mine gate. After registering, they departed again 10 minutes later to arrive at the core shed at 10:00 am to start the technical visit.

Photographs by Mike Porter