Chilean lawmakers submit mandatory mining desalination bill
Chilean lawmakers submit mandatory mining desalination bill
By Business News Americas staff reporter - Tuesday, December 31, 2013
A group of Chilean lawmakers have submitted a draft bill to congress to change the country's mining law to make the use of desalinated water obligatory in mining processes, the lower house said in a press release.
The bill establishes that all mining companies that have water rights of over 150l/s will be obliged to incorporate desalinated water into their operations, in light of the fresh water scarcity in the mining regions.
The lawmakers said the use of desalinated water in mining operations is not currently being regulated, and the purpose of the bill is to establish that legal framework.
A number of mining companies have introduced desalination plants into their operations, including Michilla, Escondida and El Abra, as well as the Radomiro Tomic and Chuquicamata divisions of state copper giant Codelco.
The bill was submitted by lawmakers from across the political spectrum, and will now be discussed in the lower house's mining committee, the statement said.
http://www.bnamericas.com/news/mining/chilean-lawmakers-submit-mandatory-mining-desalination-bill
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