ENVIRONMENT

Seawater use on the rise in Chile

Copper mine seawater use to triple, according to Cochilco

This article is 5 years old. Images might not display.

According to a Reuters report, the agency said both salinated and ocean-direct seawater utilisation will jump by 230% over the level used in 2018.

By 2029, it added, 43% of miners' demands could be met by seawater by 2029.

"More and more miners are building their own desalination plants or using water straight from the ocean to confront shortages of water," the report said.

Some of the largest miners in the arid desert region of northern Chile include BHP, Glencore, Antofagasta, and Anglo American; many in the region have been seeking alternatives as shortage issues grow. Combined, production reached 5.33Mt, Reuters said, up 6% year-on-year.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Magazine Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Magazine Intelligence team.

editions

ESG Mining Company Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The ESG Mining Company Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2024 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of exploration trends and technologies, highlighting the best intercepts and discoveries and the latest initial resource estimates.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Digitalisation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations that use digitalisation technology to drive improvements across all areas of mining production