Chile’s environmental watchdog files charges against Minera Candelaria

Chile’s environmental watchdog SMA filed six charges against Minera Candelaria, owned by Lundin Mining (80%) and Sumitomo (20%), due to failures to comply with the environmental impact study approved for the 2030 operational continuity project at its copper mine in Atacama region. 

The charges includes the use of explosives above authorized levels on five occasions in 136 blasts between August 2019 and April 2020. 

“That would mean an increase in the atmospheric emissions generated by the company, which could result in health risks for the population of the town of Tierra Amarilla,” the SMA stated in a release.

Another of the charges refers to the failure to reduce water use from the Nueva Atacama treatment plant in 2018, which affected the recharge of the aquifer feeding the Copiapó River. 

The other accusations include use of the wrong reception points for monitoring vibrations in 2020, the failure to comply with the reporting frequency established in the monitoring program during July-December 2018, January-December 2019 and January-June 2020, as well as the construction and use of an additional emergency pond that was 26.2% bigger than that authorized. 

The miner has 10 working days to submit a compliance program and 15 working days to prepare its explanations. 

Lundin is currently advancing with a US$600mn expansion of the Candelaria copper, gold and silver operation by 10 years starting in 2030. The review of its environmental impact study has been extended to August 31 at the company’s request. 

Photo credit: SMA