Progress report for
End freshwater withdrawals for mining processes in Los Bronces by 2030, while providing new water supply for communities in need.
Achievement at a glance
• Anglo American signed an agreement with a third party to supply 500 l/s desalinated sea water.• Anglo American thus becomes the anchor client of the multi-client initiative, enabling the development of this project, which will also provide water to neighbouring communities.
• Desal water supply system construction, 40% progress.
Challenges faced in implementation
• Phase 1: 500 liters per second of desalinated water from a third-party multiclient desalination plant, located on the coast of the Valparaíso Region, will be transported until Las Tórtolas located in Colina commune, Metropolitan Region where it will be injected into the recirculated water system (SAR) of Los Bronces, infrastructure that has operated since 2012 and that to date allows more than 85% to be reused through the operation's process water.• Phase 2: subject to permits and approvals + implementation. Desalination expansion and/or exchange of desalinated water for communities for treated wastewater for the mining process.
• The construction by the multi-client desalination company of a desalination plant and pipeline in Chile’s central zone poses challenges, including agreements with fishermen and increasing water supply to rural systems. Laying the pipeline with minimal disruption in the populated area is also challenging. Both the plant and pipeline have environmental permits already.
Next Steps
Daniela MorenoBeneficiaries
• The project plans to allocate 30 l/s along the pipeline route to rural water systems by the multi-client desalination company, in addition to 25 l/s by Anglo American to communities near the operation (Colina and Til Til communes) benefiting a total of more than 40 thousand people of rural communities affected by water shortage.
• Permanent freshwater surpluses of over 150 l/s will also benefit vulnerable potable water supplies and ecosystems within catchments where Los Bronces fresh water use for mining process will stop by 2030 in the Metropolitan and V Regions.
• Strengthening the communities' Rural Drinking Water Systems (APRs) for better management and increased water resource availability in the communities where Anglo American operates through the continuity and expansion of the locally run Rural Drinking Water Program, currently benefiting more than 130,000 people.
Actions
• The Seawater Desalination project offers a concrete water security solution, ensuring safety and sustainability. In Phase 1, it´s expected to address more than 45% of the future water requirement of Los Bronces, effectively resolving the supply deficit.• Regarding the Regional Water Balance, the project introduces new water to the basins, increasing overall availability while reducing stress on conventional fresh water sources. This aligns with the prioritization of human consumption and will generate initial surpluses of fresh water.
• The collaborative nature of the solution addresses deficit water sources, establishing the first desalination plant in the country's central area. There's also potential for capacity increase, ensuring a sustainable solution with 100% renewable energy and green financing.
• The project will contribute also significantly to employment and the local economy, generating approximately 2000 jobs during peak construction. There's a focus on local employability to enhance community involvement and benefit.