Chile SEA watch: 3 projects approved in December

Chile's environmental evaluation service (SEA) approved in December three mining-related projects requiring US$4.79bn in total investment, according to information compiled by BNamericas.

The approvals compare with two mining projects approved in November and just one in October.

The biggest of the three December projects approved was a US$4.35bn initiative to expand Antofagasta Minerals' Centinela mine (pictured) in northern Antofagasta region (II).

The project involves a two-stage expansion of the copper mine that will allow the company to extend operations at its northern district through 2056. Antofagasta is seeking to mine the Esperanza Sur and Encuentro pits, located south of the current Esperanza pit.

The first phase of the Centinela mine development plan will increase copper production 140,000t, while the second phase will add an extra 60,000t in 2024, boosting Centinela's production capacity to 400,000t/y by the next decade.

Next up was an expansion of molybdenum and rhenium processor Molymet's Molynor plant, also in Antofagasta region.

The US$240mn project aims to double capacity to just over 100,000t of molybdenum oxide a year. It entails installing two additional roasters, as well as a new gas treatment plant, a new sulfuric acid plant and a new molybdenum ore-processing facility.

Finally, SEA also approved a US$200mn project to upgrade some of the grinding facilities at state copper giant Codelco's Andina division, in central Valparaíso region (V).

The project entails modifications to previously approved construction of new galleries, caverns, ramps and a 30,000t-capacity chute for ground material at Andina's underground mine, which will then be transported to an existing concentrator.

The work also involves the construction of an independent ventilation system, as well as a new road connecting the underground mine and surface operations, and two walls to prevent avalanches.