Freeport has filed the Environmental Influence Evaluation software with Chile’s SEIA for the way forward for El Abra – the submitting is titled ‘Operational continuity of Minera El Abra and improvement of concentrator plant with water transition to desalinated water.’
The US$7.5 billion undertaking considers the extension of the present operations of the Sulfolix sulphide heap leaching undertaking, the event of a brand new copper sulphide exploitation and processing concentrator and the incorporation of a brand new water supply for industrial use. With these actions, it’s deliberate to increase the operation of the location for an extra 40 years, with an approximate extraction of 8,400 Mt of fabric from the pit, based on the related mining plan.
Amongst its fundamental works and actions, the undertaking contemplates the growth of the pit; the event of the everlasting leach pad at peak; the development and operation of a concentrator plant with an ore processing capability of 300,000 t/d and a thickened tailings deposit.
With the intention to make the water transition to desalinated water, it is going to be essential to briefly hold the present Salar de Ascotán nicely subject in operation, whereas the development and operation of a desalination plant and its respective impulsion and transport system is accomplished. This technique will function by two routes: the desalinated water aqueduct and the interconnection aqueduct.
Within the mine space, the undertaking additionally incorporates the extension of the Lastre 02 dump, the implementation of a brand new dump known as Lastre 07, the modification of the Lastre 04 dump, the enabling of three sectors of non permanent ore stockpiles and the set up of a brand new conveyor belt between the mine and the concentrator.
For its half, the present solvent extraction and electrowinning plant of the leach line will increase its manufacturing of high-grade copper cathodes, sustaining a nominal processing capability of 115,000 t/d and a median annual manufacturing price of 225,000 t of effective copper.
Lastly, to make sure the proper execution of the undertaking, the implementation of assorted auxiliary works is taken into account to offer land entry, electrical energy provide, and services for enough and centralised waste administration.
