Antofagasta submits EIS for Zaldívar mine expansion

Chilean firm Antofagasta Minerals and Canada-based Barrick Gold have submitted an environmental impact study (EIS) through their joint venture Compañía Minera Zaldívar for the expansion of the Zaldívar copper mine in Chile's Antofagasta region.

The project consists of the extension of operations at the Zaldívar mine, maintaining the current material extraction rate of 260,000t/d and the production rate of 176,000t/y, to extend the life of the mine until 2031, according to the document submitted to the environmental impact evaluation system (SEIA)

The capex of the project is US$100mn, the document adds.

The project includes modifications to works that currently have environmental permits, such as the elevation of the wall in the tailings facility, increasing the height and capacity of the main dump and the expansion of the landfill authorized for final disposal of domestic solid residues and non-hazardous industrial solid waste.

The document also states that the project considers extending the operation of water extraction from the Negrillar well field and extending the useful life of other activities and facilities at the site.