China backed, Australian based mining company MMG has officially started shifting copper in their gigantic Las Bambas mine, shipping over 10,000 tonnes of copper concentrate to China.

The US$10 billion mine located in Apurimac is expected to produce over 500,000 tonnes of copper, or more than a third of Peru’s national production, and could propel the country into becoming the world’s second largest producer of copper, right behind Chile. It will also produce silver, gold and molybdenum over its mine life.

Despite making up over half of Peru’s exports, mining has taken a few hits over the years, with environmentalists and community leaders staunchly rejecting the construction of the Las Bambas mine.

Copper is currently trading at a six year low, but experts predict that the surge in production will result in a net profit for Peru.