Water consumption in Chile's vast copper mining industry is set to rise 66 per cent by 2025, with companies increasingly turning to seawater to meet mine demand, a study by state copper commission Cochilco showed on Tuesday.
According to an exclusive report published by Reuters, "Most of the copper mines in Chile are located in the Atacama, the world's driest desert, and a series of droughts has raised concerns about water use in the country."
Seawater desalination plants are forecast to cover a third of water demand by miners in 10 years' time, from around 9 per cent currently, says the report that cites Cochilco copper commission.
Chile, reportedly, is the world's top producer of copper and produces around one-third of global share. A few days ago, Guardian had reported that with an investment of over US $100 million, Mantoverde desalination plant has been built in the latin American country. Chile’s mining minister Aurora Williams was present at the inauguration, as were representatives of the local authorities and fishery unions.