BHP Limited, major shareholders in a Chilean mining project has signed an outsourcing agreement with CSC. CSC will take responsibility for the management of information systems and service infrastructure for Escondida, the world’s largest producing copper mine.

The agreement, worth US $19 million, is an extension of CSC’s existing outsourcing agreement with BHP Limited.

Last May, CSC signed a seven-year, US $470 million agreement with BHP to provide a full range of information technology (IT) services. The extension runs concurrently with the existing outsourcing agreement.

“Escondida views itself as a leader in the use of technology in the copper industry,” added Bruce Turner, president of Minera Escondida Limitada. “I believe that with CSC we have selected the right partner to enhance and strengthen our leadership position in this critical support area.”

As part of the agreement, 28 employees from MEL have transferred to CSC. CSC is providing the full range of IT services, including applications, midrange, networks, desktop, helpdesk and communications support to MEL.