The Senate approves the bill that makes it possible to close the Ventanas smelter

Codelco press release

This is an automated translation of the original press release issued in Spanish

The Senate chamber generally approved the project that modifies Law No. 19,993, which makes viable the decision of the Codelco board of directors to move towards the closure of the Ventanas smelter.

After a presentation by the chairman of the board of directors of the copper company, Máximo Pacheco , the senators with 32 votes in favor, two abstentions and one against, authorized to continue the processing of the Executive project that empowers the state company to treat the products of the small and medium mining of Enami in facilities other than the Ventanas Division.

“We highly value the support of the Senate, which will allow Codelco to move forward in its goal of doing responsible mining with environmental protection. The cessation of operations of the Ventanas smelter will be done fairly with the workers, in harmony with the communities of Quintero and Puchuncaví, and with respect for the contracts we have with small and medium-sized mining companies,” Pacheco assured.

The bill passed to the Mining Commission of the Upper House, where its particular articles will be reviewed.