Super Copper appoints Andrés Encina as Country Manager for Chile

The veteran mining executive will lead on-the-ground operations, permitting and field execution at the company’s Cordillera Cobre and Castilla copper-gold projects in Chile’s Atacama region.

Super Copper has appointed Andrés Encina as Country Manager, Chile, effective immediately, as the company moves into a more execution-focused phase for its Chilean copper-gold assets. In his new role, Encina will oversee on-the-ground operations, permitting coordination, contractor management and field execution across the company’s flagship Cordillera Cobre and Castilla projects in the Atacama region.

The company said the appointment is aimed at strengthening its local operating capacity as it advances drilling and development activities in Chile. According to the announcement, Encina brings more than 20 years of mining experience in Chile, with expertise spanning exploration, development, permitting, construction and mine start-up.

Veteran executive to support project execution in Atacama

Super Copper highlighted Encina’s operational background as a key asset for this stage of the business. His track record includes the startup of six mining operations, the commissioning of two 5,000-tonne-per-month processing plants, experience with Sernageomin operational permitting, ENAMI registration and commercialization, mining lease and joint venture negotiations, and the leadership of teams of up to 200 people.

The company also noted that Encina has extensive experience helping foreign mining companies establish operations in Chile, including local subsidiary setup and regulatory strategy, which could be particularly relevant as Super Copper pushes its projects forward.

Super Copper targets next stage of growth in Chile

CEO Zachary Dolesky said the appointment comes at a time when the company needs stronger execution capabilities on the ground, citing an upcoming drill program at Cordillera Cobre and ongoing work at Castilla. He described Encina as a proven operator with the local expertise needed to manage contractors, permits and development activities in Chile.

For his part, Encina said Super Copper is developing the kind of project he has worked on throughout his career, describing it as a high-grade copper target in Atacama supported by geological scale and a disciplined team. He said he expects to apply his regional operating experience to help advance the company’s upcoming programs and unlock the project’s potential.