Antofagasta announces first mine to use 100% renewable energy

Barrick gained the Zaldívar copper mine in Chile after acquiring Eqionox. (Image courtesy of Antofagasta PLC.)

On July 6, 2018, Zaldívar signed a new power plant supply agreement with Colbún, a Chilean electric power utility company. The copper mine will be the first to operate with 100% renewable energy: a combination of hydro, solar, and wind power.

The Copper Mine, located in Northern Chile, is a 50% joint venture between Barrick Gold and Antofagasta since December 2015. Antofagasta’s official website reports Zaldívar production at 51,700 tonnes in 2017 and forecasts 55,000 to 60,000 tonnes in 2018.

The use of 100% renewable energy will begin in July 2020 for a duration of 10 years. Antofagasta estimates to remove approximately 350,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases per year.

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