칠레의 Escondida 지역의 21만6천㎥/일 규모의 해수담수화 플랜트를 위해 대규모 광산기업인 BHP Billitont사에 의한 197만 달러 투자에 대한 승인이 이루어졌다.
이번 프로젝트는 2013년 7월 시작하며 2곳의 pipeline, 4곳의 고압펌프장, 광산지역의 대규모 저장조, 공장시스템 지원을 위한 고전압의 인프라 설비 등이 포함된다. 이 지역은 바다 수면으로부터 3천100m 지점에 위치하며 2017년 상업운전 예정이다.
이로써 지금까지의 지하 대수층으로 부터의 물 공급 부담을 완화할 수 있으며 칠레내의 여러 구리채광업체들에게 충분한 물을 공급 가능하게 될 것으로 기대된다.
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Billiton clears finance for 216,000 m³/d Chile desalination
An investment of US$ 1,972 million was approved by mining giant BHP Billiton on 25 July 2013 for its 216,000 m³/d seawater desalination plant in Escondida, Chile.
The project will ensure continued water supply to the Escondida copper mine, as water use increases upon completion of a 152,000 t/d OGP1 copper concentrator.
Construction of the new desalination facility will commence in July 2013 and will include the development of two pipelines, four high-pressure pump stations, a reservoir at the mine site and high voltage infrastructure to support the system.
Escondida is located 3,100 m above sea level, 170km south-east of Antofagasta. The new facility will be commissioned in 2017.
BHP Billiton Copper President, Peter Beaven, said: "Securing a sustainable water supply in the Atacama Desert is a major priority for all Chilean copper producers, so the approval of the Escondida Water Supply project is a significant milestone for our business. The new desalination facility will minimise our reliance on the region's aquifers, which will help us to meet our environmental commitments and enable us to achieve our long-term business strategy."
The project will ensure continued water supply to the Escondida copper mine, as water use increases upon completion of a 152,000 t/d OGP1 copper concentrator.
Construction of the new desalination facility will commence in July 2013 and will include the development of two pipelines, four high-pressure pump stations, a reservoir at the mine site and high voltage infrastructure to support the system.
Escondida is located 3,100 m above sea level, 170km south-east of Antofagasta. The new facility will be commissioned in 2017.
BHP Billiton Copper President, Peter Beaven, said: "Securing a sustainable water supply in the Atacama Desert is a major priority for all Chilean copper producers, so the approval of the Escondida Water Supply project is a significant milestone for our business. The new desalination facility will minimise our reliance on the region's aquifers, which will help us to meet our environmental commitments and enable us to achieve our long-term business strategy."