London, 24 April 2025 – Austrian investor Cevdet Caner, through NIU Group, has
announced the acquisition and strategic renewal of Chilean mining company Minera
Tres Valles (MTV). This marks the beginning of a new chapter for MTV, positioning the
operation as a reliable and focused local producer of copper and other critical metals for the
global market.
The purchase of Minera Tres Valles by NIU Group represents a significant new foreign
investment in Chile. It builds on the country’s strong institutions, stable financial
system and respect for the rule of law. Under its new ownership, MTV will ramp-up
operations to increase output and efficiency in full compliance with Chilean regulatory norms
and standards.
NIU Group views MTV as a key contributor to the Coquimbo region’s economic future and is
committed to working closely with local communities to create jobs and generate positive
social impact. The company will prioritize transparent and participatory engagement to align
operations with local needs. The workforce is expected to grow to over 750 direct
employees, with up to 5,000 indirect jobs projected at peak operations, bringing
meaningful development opportunities to the surrounding towns of Salamanca, Illapel, and
others in Choapa Province.
“We are building a dynamic company that will grow in tandem with the Choapa
Province and nearby communities. We are dedicated to supporting local development
through initiatives in education, infrastructure, and healthcare, while maintaining our
focus on safety, environmental compliance, and open stakeholder engagement,” said
Caner.
MTV constitutes 8.2 million tonnes of proven and probable reserves which, when combined
with processing of third-party ores, will yield potential revenues at current copper prices
(~10,000 UISD/t) of USD 1.3-1.5bn. MTV produces Grade-A 99.999% pure electrolytic
copper cathodes – among the highest quality in the market – with 5,000 tonnes of cathodes
to be produced in the first year of NIU Group’s ownership. Production is forecasted to
increase to approximately 13,000 to 15,000 tonnes per annum from 2026.
NIU Group plans to invest further capital into the company to develop and expand mining
operations to realise the asset’s replacement value, estimated to be USD 750m to 1bn at a
minimum.
Minera Tres Valles spans 460 square kilometres of exploratory lands. The mine has
additional resources of 21.8 million tonnes of ore, a figure that includes only 5% of total land
explored to date. There is significant exploration potential and associated metal production
upside that NIU Group will realise. The current life of mine of 8 years has potential to
increase to 20 years, with total potential revenues in excess of USD 3bn after exploration.
The mining operation features an advanced underground mine (Papamono) utilising Incline
Block Caving (IBC) for extraction, and an open-pit mine (Don Gabriel) planned for
development within three years. The integrated plant includes cutting edge and
environmentally friendly crushing, leaching, and SX/EW processing capabilities, capable of
processing 180,000 tonnes of ore per month and producing 18,500 tonnes of high-quality
Grade-A copper cathodes per month, including from third-party ores. Minera Tres Valles has
a state-of-the-art, fully integrated processing plant and benefits from being the only such
facility within a 200km radius.
Cevdet Caner, owner of NIU Group, said, “The scaling up of Minera Tres Valles is a
major step forward in guaranteeing the sustainable production of critical metals, while
building long-term relationships with the communities surrounding MTV. We are
proud to breathe new life into the operation that aligns so closely with our vision of
becoming a leading Western mining investor focused on inputs necessary for
advanced industries and future energy requirements globally.”
Located approximately 200 km north of Santiago, within the Chalinga, Cárcamo, and
Chuchiñí valleys, near the towns of Salamanca and Illapel in the southern Coquimbo
Region, the operation is strategically positioned in Chile, renowned as a world-class mining
jurisdiction.
The Minera Tres Valles operation is currently undergoing an environmental review under
Chile’s regulatory framework. As part of the new ownership’s vision for a more compatible
and sustainable operation, the company is fully committed to complying with all
environmental requirements that result from this process. This reflects NIU Group’s focus on
aligning operations with the highest standards of environmental responsibility.
NIU Group is a leading Europe and US-based investment company focused on
entrepreneurship and value creation, with the goal of becoming a fully integrated mining
investor and operator with assets across North America, Latin America, Africa, and Europe.
Austrian entrepreneur Cevdet Caner has invested in the mining and property sectors for over
two decades. NIU Group plans to make further mining acquisitions in 2025, building a
diverse portfolio of critical assets that drive long-term growth and align with the global
demand for key inputs to advanced industries and cutting-edge technologies.
Minera Tres Valles – Fact Sheet
Media contact:
Boyd Bailey
[email protected]
