Worst drought in years pushes Anglo to sign water deal with Codelco

“Production from Los Bronces decreased by 28%, to 71,700 tonnes with a 44% reduction in plant throughput (7 million tonnes vs 13 million tonnes) resulting from lower water availability,” the quarterly document states. “Chile’s central zone continues to face unprecedented climate conditions, with 2019 being one of the driest years on record and the driest since the start of the current decade-long drought.”

Los Bronces closed 2019 with an overall production drop of 9%, as it was only able to generate 335,000 tonnes of fine copper. Guidance for the year had been set on 359,000 tonnes. 

Given these results, Anglo decided to go ahead with a water deal with Codelco’s Andina division, a massive mine adjacent to Los Bronces. 

The agreement between the two miners entails that clean water from Andina’s Ovejería tailings pond is to be transported seven kilometres by truck to Los Bronces’ tailings facility, known as Las Tórtolas.

According to local media, Codelco has said that this is a good use for the resource because its industrial water either accumulates in the pond or evaporates as is not apt for agricultural use or human consumption.

Los Bronces is operated by Anglo American together with Codelco and it is among the world’s largest copper mines. It sits at 3,500 metres and just 65 kilometres from Santiago.