Thanks to the water crisis in Chile, a desalination plant will be built to transform salt water into a resource suitable for mining activities. This ambitious project includes two seawater intake works with a 195-kilometer-long pumping network that reaches an altitude of more than 4,000 meters.
TEIC’s desalination plant in Chile
Techint Engineering & Construction (TEIC) is carrying out two of the most important developments in its history in Chile. The main objective of both projects is to supply desalinated water from the Pacific Ocean for mining operations, thus promoting sustainability in this industry. During peak construction, these works will employ 10,000 workers, including almost 200 Argentine expatriates.
Due to the severe water crisis in Chile, the situation has generated droughts and desertification that affect both communities and key sectors such as the mining industry. mining . With an extensive coastline of more than 6,000 kilometers, Chile has a valuable source of water resources in the Pacific Ocean. However, salt water is not suitable for human consumption or industrial uses, so desalination is the solution.
To carry out this process and transfer water to areas located at an altitude of more than 4,000 meters, it is necessary to develop efficient transport and pumping systems, said the construction company led by Paolo Rocca during a visit to the projects in Chile.
Desalinated water for three large mines
One of the projects is being developed in the north of the country, known as SADDN and is intended for the mining company Codelco the world’s leading copper producer. This project includes the construction of a reverse osmosis desalination plant, marine seawater intake works and a 100-mile long, 48-inch diameter water conveyance system.
It is estimated that the initiative, which will last approximately three years, will require more than 5,000 workers at its peak and will supply water to three important mines in the north: Radomiro Tomic, Chuquicamata and Ministro Hales.
The second project, called C20+, is for Compañía Minera Doña Inés de Collahuasi (CMDIC), Chile’s second largest mining operation and one of the world’s largest copper deposits. This project consists of the construction of a 44-inch diameter, 195 km long pipeline to transport water from the sea to the mining facilities, located at 4,680 meters above sea level. In addition, the conveyance system includes five pumping stations, six drainage stations and one terminal station.
At its peak, this project is expected to require more than 5,000 workers.
Seawater desalination benefits the mining industry and represents a sustainable solution for other industries and communities affected by water scarcity in Chile. This technology could be key to meeting future climate challenges and securing drinking water supplies in arid regions.
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Source: infobae
Photo: Shutterstock
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