In Chile, we have launched a pilot photovoltaic plant that has been built over a tailings pond – the first of its kind in the world.
The initiative consists of 256 photovoltaic panels (330 watts each) installed on Las Tórtolas pond at Los Bronces copper mine, with the capacity to generate 86 kW. The panels are located on a floating island and they are connected to a service room where the energy that the system generates will be monitored daily. This project will reduce CO2 emissions by 58 tonnes per year, generate 150,000 kWh/year of renewable electric power and reduce water evaporation in the area it covers by 80%.
