Anglo American (LSE:AAL) has recently announced it has begun using desalinated water at its Los Bronces copper mine in Chile as it works to eliminate fresh water from the operation’s mining processes by 2030.
The company says supply comes from Aguas Pacífico’s multipurpose desalination plant in the Valparaíso Region and enters the system through the Quilapilún Station in Colina.
The agreement provides for up to 500 litres per second, which the company notes could meet more than 45% of Los Bronces’ water requirements.
The project forms the first phase of Anglo American’s Integrated Water Security Project, designed to progressively replace fresh water with sources that do not compete with human consumption.
Los Bronces currently recycles more than 90% of the water used in its processes. Anglo American says it reduced fresh water extraction from water-scarce areas in Chile by 51% between its baseline period and 2025, exceeding its 2030 target of 50%.
Under the project, 25 litres per second will also be allocated to six rural water services covering communities in Colina and Tiltil. Distribution is scheduled to begin in December 2026 and is expected to benefit more than 10,000 people.
Anglo American and Aguas Pacífico are exploring a second phase involving additional desalinated supply and the potential exchange of drinking water for treated wastewater.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
Main image: Anglo American
