Securing water for communities

Our plans to develop a desalination plant that will meet 100% of Mantoverde’s current and future water needs represent an opportunity to make a real difference in the Atacama region. By eliminating our own requirements from the current watershed, we will reduce significantly the demand on this most vital of resources, while also presenting community investment opportunities through the development of the desalination plant.

Located in the Corral de los Chanchos Bay, in the Chañaral district, the $96 million plant will have a water production rate of 120 litres per second and a predicted life of 20 years. Start-up is scheduled for 2013 and the 20-month planned construction project will create an estimated 150 jobs.

Environmental protection measures have also been meticulously addressed and constant dialogue with social organisations, neighbours’ associations, fishermen’s trade unions, public bodies and the municipality of Chañaral has ensured the concerns of the communities have been considered at every stage. We can now look forward to an environmentally sound plant that will greatly improve water availability across the region.

Our aim is to maximise the value of water resources while seeking to achieve no long term net harm to the environment or communities where we operate. Our desalination plant in Chile will help us demonstrate and maintain that position and further develop our ambition to become a champion in responsible water stewardship.