Chile investigates Antofagasta's Los Pelambres mine after water discharge from rains
Chile investigates Antofagasta's Los Pelambres mine after water discharge from rains By Fabian Cambero
SANTIAGO, July 23 (Reuters) - Chile's Antofagasta Minerals said on Thursday its flagship Los Pelambres copper mine remains safe after Chile's environmental regulator opened an investigation into a water discharge incident triggered by severe weather.
The regulator on Wednesday said Antofagasta had released water from a drainage pond into the Pupio waterway after heavy rains caused a landslide near the site.
• Antofagasta said the controlled release of water from two pools downstream of the tailings dam wall is part of the mine's water management system.
• Some of the water was channeled into the Pupio stream, whose flow had already risen significantly due to rainfall.
• Inspections of the tailings dam showed it "is stable and in line with its design and safety parameters, with no risks to people or the surrounding environment," the company said.
• The regulator said it would continue evaluating whether further action is needed.
• Heavy rains have hit Chile from the north-central zone to the south, causing floods, road closures and damage to homes.
• Copper mines in the area typically operate under winter contingency plans, but the storm's intensity has forced some to scale back activities even further.
• Los Pelambres, in Chile's north-central Coquimbo region, is Antofagasta's largest copper mine.
(Reporting by Fabian Cambero, Editing by Daina Beth Solomon)