https://www.miningweekly.com
Copper|Environment|Water|Environmental
Copper|Environment|Water|Environmental
copper|environment|water|environmental

Chilean regulators charge BHP's Escondida copper mine with water misuse

The Escondida mine

The Escondida mine

31st July 2020

By: Reuters

  

Font size: - +

SANTIAGO – Chile's environmental watchdog said on Friday it would charge BHP's Escondida copper mine, the world`s largest, with drawing more water from the parched Chilean desert than its permits allowed for nearly 15 years.

The SMA regulator said the mine had caused a sufficiently serious drop in the water table in one area that the violation could result in the revocation of its environmental permit, closure or a fine.

BHP did not immediately reply to a request for comment on the allegation.

"The company, despite committing to reduce its extraction of water ... exceeded the maximum level permitted since 2005, tripling that level in 2019," the regulator said in a statement.

Chile´s northern desert, where BHP operates, is the world´s driest. Both copper and lithium miners there have for decades struggled to reduce their water intake to lessen impact on the environment and scarce water supplies.

Chile is the world´s top copper producer.

 

Edited by Reuters

Comments

Showroom

Booyco Electronics
Booyco Electronics

Booyco Electronics, South African pioneer of Proximity Detection Systems, offers safety solutions for underground and surface mining, quarrying,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Universal Storage Systems (SA)
Universal Storage Systems (SA)

South African leader in Steel -Racking, -Shelving, and -Mezzanine flooring. Universal has innovated an approach which encompasses conceptualising,...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Mining Weekly Editor Martin Creamer
Copper shares soar and green hydrogen goes digital
26th April 2024
Magazine cover image
Magazine round up | 26 April 2024
26th April 2024

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.189 0.223s - 90pq - 2rq
1:
1: United States
Subscribe Now
2: United States
2: