Chile's Codelco sees water efficiency as 'critical' challenge

Chilean state copper producer Codelco considers water efficiency as a "critical" challenge for the company over the next 10 years and will invest heavily in water management, said the biotechnology director of Codelco Tech, Patricio Martínez.

Copper extraction was more water demanding than other mining processes, Martínez said during his intervention at the Water and Industry 2017 congress. He also said that concentrators represent the bulk of water consumption in the process and is expected to increase in the future.

Because of this, Codelco is evaluating alternatives for water re-usage and new technologies for extraction such as bioleaching, said Martínez, who estimated that this process could save up to 85% of the water used.

Martínez told BNamericas he did not have exact investment figures but added that the water efficiency drive "is already underway in applications like sea water usage and the copper extraction process."

"At Codelco everyone absolutely agrees that hydrological stress is something that affects the company directly, and also the country", he said.

The director also said that Codelco is having conversations with people who live close to mine tailings and acid drainages. "A lot is being invested on this and Codelco is interested in having an excellent relation with the ecosystem and the people who live in it."

Martínez also said Codelco plans to install a new desalinization plant soon, alluding to the RT Sulfuros desalinization plant.

Last year saw the company award the tender to build and operate the world's first mini hydro plant from tailings, at its El Teniente mine.