ENVIRONMENT

Chile mines cut continental water use

Continental water use by the mining industry in Chile fell 6.8% in 2019 to 12.45 cubic metres per second compared with 2018, according to state copper agency Cochilco in its annual water report.

The desalination plant for Escondida in Chile

The desalination plant for Escondida in Chile

Cochilco said part of the fall was due to a 1% reduction in the quantity of mineral processed as well as miners moving to use more seawater and to recirculate water more.

The agency said seawater use increased by 1.7% to 4.06cu.m/s and recirculated water by 15% to 53.32cu.m/s, with a national recirculation rate of 76% compared with 73% in 2018.

Seawater now provides some 25% of the water used by mining with 1.84cu.m/s used directly in processes while 2.22cu.m/s is desalinated seawater. The majority is consumed by copper mines in northern Chile.

 

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

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

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Automation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations using autonomous solutions in every region and sector, including analysis of the factors driving investment decisions

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2023 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of current exploration rates, trending exploration technologies, a ranking of top drill intercepts and a catalog of 2022 Initial Resource Estimates and recent discovery successes.