LIMA, May 17 (Reuters) - Antamina, Peru's second-largest

copper mine, expects 2024 production to be roughly in line with

the 435,378 metric tons it produced last year, while it nears

the start of work on a delayed project to extend the mine's

lifespan, a top executive said on Friday.

Victor Gobitz, president of Antamina - which is controlled

by Glencore ( GLCNF ), BHP, Teck and

Mitsubishi ( MSBHF ) - told Reuters the $2 billion project aims

to extend the mine's life to 2036, from 2028 currently.

In 2022, Antamina was Peru's top copper producer, with an

output of 467,905 tons, according to data from the country's

mines and energy ministry.

"We have no plan to increase production levels;

undoubtedly these (copper) prices help margins, but we do not

have that operational flexibility," Gobitz told Reuters.

Production will be "very similar to last year," he

added.

After receiving the environmental permit for the

"Antamina Replenishment" project earlier this year, the

government should issue the construction license before year-end

so expansion works can start in 2025, said Gobitz.

"We don't foresee any difficulties for the license," he

said.