Plizio Visual Lab

Cuajone Mine

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Industrial site

Weather…

The Cuajone Mine, located in the Moquegua Region, is one of Peru's most established and productive copper mines. Operated by the Southern Copper Corporation, it forms part of an integrated metallurgical complex in the country's southern mining belt. The massive open-pit operation is visually striking, with spiral terraces cut deep into the Andean rock. Since commercial production began in the 1970s, Cuajone has consistently contributed to Peru's standing as a premier global copper producer. Extracted ore is concentrated on-site before being transported by rail to the smelting and refining complex in the port city of Ilo. Cuajone is known for its high operational efficiency and the adoption of advanced automation technologies in its mining processes. The mine serves as the economic backbone of the Mariscal Nieto Province and funds numerous social and development projects for the local community.

Location: Peru
Nearby: Moquegua (23 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Oct–Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	9	9	9	8	6	6	5	6	7	8	9	9
Rain mm	29	35	21	5	2	1	3	2	4	6	5	16

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

The Cuajone Mine in southern Peru is a significant open-pit copper mine, part of a large mining complex. It plays a key role in the regional economy and national copper output.

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Visiting

The mine is not regularly open to the public, but it can be seen from surrounding heights. Visitors can typically catch a glimpse only from designated lookouts along the access road.

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Where to view it

A popular viewpoint is the road to Moquegua, which partly runs directly along the pit edge. From the slopes of Cerro Cuajone, there is a wide view of the open pit.

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Local products

Copper concentrate is the main product, shipped to coastal ports for further processing. In surrounding towns, travelers can taste regional specialties like lamb and olives.

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Active season

The mine operates year-round, with the dry season (May-October) offering the best visibility. During the rainy season, occasional landslides may affect access roads.

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Nearby

Combine a visit with the city of Moquegua, offering colonial architecture and wineries. The nearby Toro Muerto nature reserve with its petroglyphs is also worth a visit.

Geography

Coordinates

-17.04000, -70.73000

Facts

Commercial operations at the Cuajone mine officially began in 1976.
It is owned by Southern Copper Corporation, a subsidiary of Grupo México.
The open-pit mine spans a diameter of more than 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles).
A dedicated industrial railway connects the mine to the refinery in Ilo.
Cuajone is situated at an elevation of approximately 3,500 meters in Moquegua.
The facility produces hundreds of thousands of tons of copper concentrate annually.