BNamericas quoted a source from the environment ministry evaluation service said Chilean iron ore miner Vallenar Iron has withdrawn an environmental impact assessment for the construction of a USD 30 million bulk port in northern region III.

The source said the company formerly known as Minera Santa Bárbara decided to withdraw the EIA after its most recent request for an extension to the deadline to send amendments was rejected.

The EIA was originally submitted for evaluation early in 2007. Since then, the company has responded to observations with one amendment which was submitted at the end of 2009.

The amendment also received observations from authorities taking part in the evaluation process but the company has been requesting extensions to respond to them. The source said "The last request has been rejected."

According to the source as a result and to prevent the project from being rejected, the company withdrew the EIA in order to submit a new document.

The project, dubbed Puerto Punta Alcalde was to be located 15 kilometers south of the town of Huasco.

(Sourced from www.bnamericas.com)