Exploitation Salt Depot Mine California

Description: Considering the reserves and diversity of saline minerals, the first region of Tarapacá is one of the largest in the country in terms of the existence of saline deposits of the salt type. The existence of these salt flats of different geological, geomorphological and chemical characteristics that have supplied and supply national and international markets with various minerals of saline origin, especially sodium chloride and sodium sulfate. The described characteristics are found in the Salar Grande located in the Iquique Commune where the largest common salt deposit in the world is located. The reserves have been estimated equivalent to world consumption for a period of at least 5,000 years. Currently, the national production is based mainly on two main operations Punta de Lobos Society and Cordillera Society, which together with other smaller operations that are in the already individualized salt produce about 11.8 million tons of salt per year for different applications. The purpose of this Project is to exploit a salt deposit located in the Salar Grande, which has been leased by INVERSIONES ATACAMA BLANCA SPA, to supply part of the industrial salt demand demanded by international markets, particularly for applications related to thawing of roads and streets outside. Next, a general project diagram is presented. Objective The purpose of this Project is to exploit a salt deposit located on the Salar Grande property INVERSIONES ATACAMA BLANCA SPA. With an annual estimated design production of around 384,000 tons, this mining company expects to supply part of the national and international industrial salt demand, particularly for applications related to the thawing of roads and industrial processes that require said product. In order to achieve the indicated production, the exploitation of a salt deposit located in the mining concession denominated CALIFORNIA by means of the open pit method has been projected. The ore will be crushed and classified in three stages to reach a size under 12 mm (½ "). The final product will be stacked in the lands of the mining concession CALIFORNIA, the national role of SERNAGEOMIN 01201-0701-1 in the Iquique district, from where it will be transported in bulk in trucks to the port of Iquique and / or Patillos, depending on the availability of the port facilities. From these ports it will be exported to foreign markets in particular to the United States of America.