BNamericas reported that Minera Escondida has received approval of an environmental impact assessment for USD 120 million project to build potable water and wastewater treatment plants for a new camp at its copper mine in northern region II.

A source from the environment ministry's regional evaluation office said that the EIA was submitted for evaluation in April and approval was originally expected in July. Escondida's plan was to have the new camp and plants operating in H2 2012 after a oneyear construction period. However, the timeline might be delayed since approval took longer than expected.

The reverse osmosis potable water plant will treat 30l/s of water, producing 1,500 million cubic per day for use at the camp. Work includes building a 4.5 kilometers pipeline to transport water from the mine's existing reservoirs to the new plant.

The wastewater treatment plant will use activated sludge aeration to process a maximum 1,500 million cubic per day of wastewater including both primary and secondary treatment. Around 80% of the treated wastewater will be channeled via a 4 kilometers pipeline for use in the mining operation.

(Sourced from Business News Americas)