Water consumption in thecopper mining industry, 2017
DEPP 04/2018

Intellectual Property RegisterN° 293421

Research and Public Policy Department
Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 2017

Executive Summary
Although the mining industry accounts for only 3% of water use in Chile (DGA, 2016), many mining
concessions and operations are located in areas where water scarcity represents a constraint on
regional development.
This report covers copper-producing companies in northern and central Chile, from the Arica yParinacota Region to the O’Higgins Region, comprising the area where most copper mining andrelated activities take place. The information used was obtained from surveys sent to mining
operations that, in 2017, accounted for 99.9% of Chile’s copper output.
In 2017, the industry used a total of 54.5 m3/sec of water, comprising 13.26 m3/sec of continental
water, 3.16 m3/sec of seawater and 38.07 m3/sec of recycled water. The industry’s consumption
is highest in the Antofagasta Region, which produces more than 52% of Chile’s copper, followedby the Tarapacá and O’Higgins Regions.
As regards sources, the most important is groundwater, which accounts for 41% of the water usedby the industry, followed by surface water (33%), seawater (19%) and water acquired from third
parties (7%).
Analysis of water use in the different mining processes at a regional level shows that, in all regions(with the exception of the Arica y Parinacota Region which, due to its low volume of copper
production, is not very representative), concentration is the process that uses the most water.
In the case of unit consumption, which reflects an operation’s efficiency, the study found a marked
drop in the unit coefficient in concentration, principally because consumption of continental
water has grown more slowly than the quantity of mineral processed. In other words, less water
was required to process a ton of sulfide mineral than in the previous year. In hydrometallurgy
processes, however, there has been an increase in the unit coefficient, due principally to anincrease in the quantity of mineral treated in smaller plants.
The study also analyzed water recycling, both in the mines themselves and in concentrators,
finding that, in 2017, recycling at the mine was highest in the Coquimbo Region (81%), followedby the Santiago Region (75%).
However, in their bid to address the scarcity of water, companies have given priority to theconstruction of seawater desalination plants and/or the direct use of seawater in their processes.
At least eight new projects using seawater and four expansions and/or replacements of existing
systems are anticipated, mostly in the Antofagasta or Atacama Region.

DISCLAIMER
For the English version, the data in graphs, figures and tables are in national format. (##. ###, 00)(.) for separation of thousands(,) for decimals
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IResearch and Public Policy Department
Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 2017

Contents
Executive Summary ................................................................................................................ IIntroduction .......................................................................................................................... 1
Chapter 1: Water consumption in the copper mining industry ................................................. 1
1.1

Total water consumption .....................................................................................3

1.2

Consumption of continental water ......................................................................6
1.2.1

1.3

Consumption of continental water by region .......................................................6
Water consumption by source of supply .............................................................8

1.3.1
1.4

Water consumption by region and source of supply ............................................9
Water consumption by mining process .............................................................11

1.4.1

Consumption of continental water by region and mining process .....................14

Chapter 2: Water management ............................................................................................ 16
2.1

Intensity of use ..................................................................................................16
2.1.1

Unit coefficients by process ...............................................................................16

2.1.2

Unit coefficients by region .................................................................................17

2.1.3

Unit coefficients by size of operation .................................................................19

2.1.4

Quintiles by quantity of mineral processed ........................................................19

2.2

Recycling ............................................................................................................222.2.1

Recycling in operations ......................................................................................222.2.2

Recycling in concentrators .................................................................................23

2.2.3

Recycling by process and output ........................................................................23

Chapter 3: Seawater ............................................................................................................ 25
3.1

Use of seawater .................................................................................................25

3.2

Seawater operations and new projects .............................................................26

Chapter 4: Final comments................................................................................................... 29
Appendices.......................................................................................................................... 31

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Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 2017

List of figures
Figure 1: Consumptive water use in Chile .................................................................................................... 2
Figure 2: Water cycle of mining operations ................................................................................................. 3
Figure 3: Total water consumption in copper mining, 2012-2017 (m3/sec) .................................................. 4
Figure 4: Average grades of oxide and sulfide mineral in Chile, 2012-2017 (%) ............................................ 4
Figure 5: Mineral extracted by type of mineral, 2012-2017 (millions of tons) .............................................. 5
Figure 6: Consumption of continental water in copper mining, 2012-2016 (m3/sec) .................................... 6
Figure 7: Consumption of continental water in copper mining by region, 2012-2017 .................................. 7
Figure 8: Sources of supply .......................................................................................................................... 8
Figure 9: Water by source of supply, 2017 ................................................................................................... 9
Figure 10: Water consumption in copper mining by source of supply and region, 2017 ............................. 10
Figure 11: Mining processes ...................................................................................................................... 11
Figure 12: Processes considered in the report ........................................................................................... 12
Figure 13: Water consumption by mining process, 2017 ............................................................................ 13
Figure 14: Water consumption in copper mining by process and region, 2017 .......................................... 15
Figure 15: Unit coefficients in copper mining by region, 2012-2017 ........................................................... 18
Figure 16: Curve of quintiles for sulfide mineral, 2017 ............................................................................... 20
Figure 17: Curve of quintiles for oxide mineral, 2017 ................................................................................. 21
Figure 18: Recycling rate in copper mining operations, 2012-2017 ............................................................ 22
Figure 19: Recycling rate in concentrators, 2012-2017 .............................................................................. 23
Figure 20: Recycling by process and quantity of mineral processed, 2017 ................................................. 24
Figure 21: Use of seawater in copper mining, 2010-2017 (m3/sec) ............................................................ 25

List of tables
Table 1: Principal sources of water loss....................................................................................................... 13
Table 2: Unit coefficients by mining process, 2012-2017............................................................................. 16
Table 3: Unit coefficients by size of operation, 2012-2017 .......................................................................... 19
Table 4: Seawater desalination plants and pumping systems in the copper mining industry ....................... 27

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Research and Public Policy Department
Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 2017

1

Introduction
The mining industry is arguably the most important sector of the Chilean economy, accounting foran average 10.61% of GDP between 2012 and 2017. During this period, mining exports averaged
US$38,700 million, equivalent to 55% of total exports.
Although the mining industry accounts for only 3% of the water used in Chile (Atlas del Agua, DGA,
2016), many mining concessions and operations are located in areas where water scarcity is aconstraint on regional development. The north of Chile is one of the driest areas in the world,
surface water is scarce and there is growing demand for water for industrial use and household
supply, on the part of communities and for environmental purposes.
Their impact on the quality and quantity of water available is one of the most controversial aspectsof mining projects while, for the industry, water is of transcendental importance due to the numberof processes for which it is required.
It is hardly surprising, therefore, that there is tension between the needs of the population in
general, which requires water for survival and agriculture, and the needs of the mining industry.
In this context, the mining industry faces three strategic long-term risks related to water: to ensuresufficient water for production increases; to reduce water and energy consumption and emissions
in line with social, environmental and economic pressures; and to understand the links between
water, energy and emissions so that an improvement in one area does not result in a greater adverse
effect in another.
Given the importance of water for mining production in Chile, COCHILCO publishes an annual reporton water consumption in copper mining, using information gathered from the different operations
through the Production, Energy and Water Resources Survey.
The report covers copper-producing companies in northern and central Chile, from the Arica yParinacota Region to the O’Higgins Region, comprising the area where most copper mining andrelated activities take place.
The operations surveyed for this report accounted for 99.9% of Chile’s copper output in 2017. Given
the situation discussed above, the study of water consumption in the mining industry is part of thepermanent work of the Chilean Copper Commission (COCHILCO), which seeks to monitor water use
in the different processes of the copper mining industry, increase the availability and transparency
of information on critical issues and serve as a basis for analysis in public discussions.

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Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 2017

2

Chapter 1: Water consumption in the copper mining industry
The mining sector accounts for 3% of water consumption in Chile, according to the General
Directorate of Water (DGA).

Figure 1: Consumptive water use in Chile

Source: Atlas del Agua, DGA, 2016 (page 125).

This section provides details of the water used by the mining industry to produce 5,504,000 tons offine copper in 2017, including the origin of the water, the processes in which it was used and theirlevel of consumption.
The mining industry requires water to process mineral and for a series of associated services. The
use of water in the mining process is described briefly in Figure 2.
The information is structured according to the different processes involved in producing copper inChile. Each of these points represents a center of water consumption, some of which are more
intensive than others.

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Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 2017

3

Figure 2: Water cycle of mining operations

Sources: Water Accounting Framework (WAF); Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry (CWiMI), Universityof Queensland.

This approach includes the definition of a set of standardized parameters for the presentation ofwater reports by the mining and metallurgy industry, based on the Water Accounting Framework(WAF).

1.1

Total water consumption

In broad terms, the industry has three sources of water: continental water, seawater and water
recycled from its own mining processes. Continental water includes all the permanent bodies ofwater found on land, away from the coast, such as rivers, lakes, floodplains, reserves and wetlands.
Seawater comes from the oceans and has a high salt content. Recycled water corresponds to waterthat is re-injected into the system, with or without treatment.
Total water is defined as the water required to maintain the production process and corresponds toall the water obtained from different sources.
In 2017, the industry used 13.26 m3/sec of continental water, 3.16 m3/sec of seawater and 38.07
m3/sec of recycled water, giving a total of 54.5 m3/sec.
Figure 3 shows that the industry’s use of continental water has remained steady in recent years
while its use of seawater has increased and use of recycled water, although it had been increasing,
dropped significantly in 2017.

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Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 2017

4

Figure 3: Total water consumption in copper mining, 2012-2017 (m3/sec)

40,38

43,27

38,07

34,29

32,14

31,71

0,98

1,29

1,71

2,27

2,45

3,16

12,38

12,72

12,95

13,07

13,61

13,26

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Continental Water

Seawater

Recycled Water

Source: COCHILCO.

According to the information provided by companies, the drop in use of recycled water in 2017 was
explained principally by reductions at two large operations in the Tarapacá and Antofagasta Regions,
without this necessarily having implied an increase in consumption of continental water.

Figure 4: Average grades of oxide and sulfide mineral in Chile, 2012-2017 (%)

0,85

0,89

0,61
0,56

0,90

0,87

2013

0,80

0,50

0,49

2016

2017

0,57
0,52

2012

0,81

2014

Oxide grades

2015

Sulfide grades

Source: COCHILCO.

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Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 2017

5

Figure 4 shows ore grades and their drop in recent years, which implies that a larger quantity ofmineral has to be processed in order to produce the same quantity of fine copper.
Figure 5 shows the quantity of mineral extracted by type of mineral.
Figure 5: Mineral extracted by type of mineral, 2012-2017 (millions of tons)
618,5

587,4
578,6

575,2

568,3

560,4

555,3

559,5

539,5
521,4
502,7
478,6

2012

2013

2014
Oxides

2015

2016

2017

SulfidesSource: COCHILCO.

Lower ore grades and the resulting increase in the quantity of mineral that has to be processed
imply that more water must also be used to produce the same quantity of copper. The proper
management and use of water, therefore, have a direct impact on the volume of water used. Ifwater is managed, either through measures to increase the efficiency of its use or through reuse, it
is possible to process a larger quantity of mineral without necessarily increasing water consumption
to the same extent. The aim must be to seek new forms of efficiency or new sources of supply sothat consumption of continental water does not increase and, ideally, diminishes.
It is important to bear in mind that concentration is typically used to treat sulfide mineral and, as
shown below, is the most intensive in water use.
In general, higher-grade mineral requires less water for its processing and vice versa. Given theexhaustion of resources, the exploitation of lower-grade mineral is increasing and, with it, demand
for water.

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Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 2017

1.2

6

Consumption of continental water

In 2017, the copper mining industry used 13.26 m3/sec of continental water, which represented adrop of 2.6% on the previous year.
Figure 6: Consumption of continental water in copper mining, 2012-2016 (m3/sec)-2,6%

Source: COCHILCO.

1.2.1 Consumption of continental water by region
Water resources are not evenly distributed around the country and it is, therefore, necessary to
disaggregate consumption by region in order to emphasize the efforts required in those areas wherewater stress is greater.
Although mining does not have the highest consumptive use, it takes place principally in northernand central Chile where less water is available than in the south. In addition, its activities are locatedin the upper part of basins, implying that it has to relate with other actors and users, principally as
regards the water’s use downstream in agriculture and for household consumption.
Figure 7 shows the copper mining industry’s use of continental water by region. It is highest in the
Antofagasta Region, which produces over 52% of the country’s copper, followed by the Tarapacá
and O’Higgins Regions.

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Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 2017

7

Figure 7: Consumption of continental water in copper mining by region, 2012-2017

Source: COCHILCO.

Analysis of consumption in the different regions by year shows that, in the Antofagasta Region,
which accounts for around 40% of the copper mining industry’s consumption of continental water,
its use dropped by 6.5% in 2017 as compared to 2016. Similarly, in the Coquimbo and Valparaíso
Regions, where there has been an important drought in recent years, consumption in 2017 was
down by 11% and 5%, respectively. However, in the Tarapacá, Atacama, Santiago and O´Higgins
Regions, it increased, due generally to an increase in the quantity of mineral processed, which was
also reflected in higher output of fine copper.

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Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 2017

1.3

8

Water consumption by source of supply

This section provides a brief description of the sources of the water used by the mining industry.
The analysis focuses on consumption of continental water since it is these sources where scarcity is
a problem, obliging users to exercise proper management and, as far as possible, reduce
withdrawals.
Figure 8: Sources of supply

Source: COCHILCO.

Understanding changes in the sources of water for the copper mining industry is crucial for the
management of water resources.
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Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 2017

9

Figure 9 shows the copper mining industry’s consumption of water by source between 2012 and2017. Historically, groundwater has been the most important source.

Figure 9: Water by source of supply, 2017

Source: COCHILCO.

In 2017, groundwater accounted for 41% of the water used by the copper mining industry, followedby surface water (33%), seawater (19%) and water from third parties (7%).

1.3.1 Water consumption by region and source of supply
Figure 10 shows the source of the water used by the copper mining industry in each of the different
regions in 2017. In the north, it is obtained principally from groundwater sources and, in central andcentral-southern Chile, from surface sources.
This is in line with the availability of water resources in each area. With this information, it is possible
to manage their use and design policies in accordance with the needs of each region.

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Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 201710

Figure 10: Water consumption in copper mining by source of supply and region, 2017

Source: COCHILCO.

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Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 2017

1.4

11

Water consumption by mining process

In general, five different areas of water consumption can be identified in the copper mining industry:
the mine area, the concentrator plant area, the hydrometallurgy plant area, smelting and refining,and services.

Figure 11: Mining processes

Source: COCHILCO.

The mine area includes the mine itself (open-pit or underground) and transport of the mineral to (,)
para decimalesthe primary crushing plant. Here, water is used principally to mitigate dust fromroads and in extraction and pumping from underground operations.
The concentrator plant area involves the processing of the mineral and represents the largest
consumption of water in terms of volume. It includes comminution of the mineral, followed byflotation, classification and thickening. Depending on the distance between the concentrator andthe filtering and storage installations, the waste water may or may not be recycled in the process.
An important part of the water used in the flotation process is contained in the tailings which are

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Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 201712

thickened in order to recover part of this water. In operations with molybdenum plants, they also
correspond to this area.
The hydrometallurgy plant area includes the heap leaching, solvent extraction and electrowinning
processes used to produce cathodes. Here, the main water consumption is a result of evaporationfrom the leach pads which are irrigated with a solution of sulfuric acid and water in order to dissolve
the copper contained in the oxide mineral.
In the smelting and refining process, the dry concentrate undergoes a pyrometallurgy process to
obtain thick plates in the form of anodes. These are either marketed directly or sent for refining.
This latter process takes place in electrolytic cells in a sulfuric acid solution and high-purity cathodes
are obtained by applying an electric current which causes the copper in the anode to dissolve andbecome deposited on the initial cathode.
Finally, the services area corresponds to activities which account for a very small part of the waterused by a mining operation as a whole. The main uses of water in this area are for drinking, cooking,washing and watering in camps and other minor consumptions.
For the purposes of this report, these areas are grouped into four major processes: concentration,hydrometallurgy, smelting and refining, and others, which comprises the mine area and services.
Figure 12: Processes considered in the report

Source: COCHILCO.

Here, we analyze consumption of continental water by process, since it is these sources that haverestrictions on their availability.
Out of the 13.26 m3/sec of continental water used by the copper mining industry in 2017, the mostimportant area of consumption corresponded to concentration of sulfide mineral, which accounted
for 67% of the total. It was followed by the hydrometallurgy process to obtain cathodes from oxideminerals, which accounted for 14%.
In the mine area and services, grouped together as Others, consumption is calculated as including
the water used in camps, for irrigation, to mitigate dust from roads and other processes with a low
level of consumption. This area accounted for 15% of the copper mining industry’s consumption ofcontinental water. The remaining 4% was consumed in smelting and refining processes.

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Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 201713

Figure 13: Water consumption by mining process, 2017

Source: COCHILCO.

In Figure 13, which shows the annual variation of consumption by mining process, it can be seenthat concentration of sulfide mineral continues to be the single most important area ofconsumption.
Each process has a different unit water consumption, reflecting a number of different factors. Manytechniques are now being used to minimize consumption and maximize recycling in a bid to reduceuse of continental water. However, there are losses which, although they have diminishedconsiderably thanks to technology, continue to occur during the processes.
Table 1: Principal sources of water loss
Principal water losses in the concentration
process

Principal water losses in the hydrometallurgy
process

Evaporation from tailings in flotation and thickeningtanks

Evaporation from leach pads

Retention in tailings

Evaporation from tanks

Leakage from tanks

Washing in the organic phase

Losses in transport of concentrate and tailings

Disposal of solutions

Source: COCHILCO.

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Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 201714

1.4.1 Consumption of continental water by region and mining process
Analysis of consumption by mining process and region shows that, in all regions (except for the Aricay Parinacota Region which, because of its low volume of copper production, is not representative),
concentration is the main area of consumption.
In the Antofagasta Region, the concentration process accounts for 48% of consumption ofcontinental water and the hydrometallurgy process for 30%. In the other regions, however,concentration accounts for over 70% of consumption and, in some regions, reaches 85%.
The search for ways to reduce water consumption should, therefore, focus on the development oftechnologies and/or solutions for the sulfide minerals line.

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Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 201715

Figure 14: Water consumption in copper mining by process and region, 2017

Source: COCHILCO.

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Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 201716

Chapter 2: Water management
For any company, water management is a key aspect of sustainability. In mining, it includes thelocation, transport, diversion, storage, reuse and/or treatment of all water associated with theoperation of the mine and plants, regardless of its use, both by season and throughout the life cycleof a mine.
This chapter presents the unit coefficients of use of continental water per ton of mineral processed,
for both the concentration and hydrometallurgy processes. The unit coefficients are analyzed byprocess, region and size of the company and according to processing quintiles. Finally, information
about recycling in mining operations is analyzed since proper water management requires thatrecycling options take priority as against the withdrawal of continental water.

2.1

Intensity of use

Increasing the efficiency of water use is equivalent to increasing its productivity or, in other words,
reducing the intensity of its use by maximizing the value of its uses and, in this way, improving its
allocation among different uses.

2.1.1 Unit coefficients by process
Table 2 shows unit coefficients of water use by process, defined as the volume of continental waterrequired to process a ton of mineral. In this, ore grades play a crucial role since they determine thequantity of mineral that must be processed to produce a certain quantity of fine copper.
Table 2: Unit coefficients by mining process, 2012-2017

Source: COCHILCO.

The unit coefficient for concentration has shown a sharp reduction. This is mainly because, although
the quantity of mineral processed has, in general, increased, consumption of continental water has
not increased to the same extent, implying that less water is required to process a ton of sulfide
mineral.
In the case of hydrometallurgy, the unit coefficient has increased, due principally to an increase in
the quantity of mineral treated in smaller plants. In the industry as a whole, there has been a dropin the leachable mineral treated but it has increased in the medium-scale segment of the industry.
In these smaller plants, the volume of water used has increased by more than the quantity ofComisión Chilena del CobreResearch and Public Policy Department
Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 201717mineral treated, causing an increase in unit consumption. In larger plants, on the other hand, thequantity of mineral treated has dropped while water consumption has held steady.

2.1.2 Unit coefficients by region
Figure 15 shows unit coefficients by region. In the Antofagasta and Atacama Regions, they haveshown a sustained improvement, due principally to the use of desalinated seawater. It is important
to note that, in the Antofagasta Region, which is the most representative of the country’s copper
mining industry, the unit coefficient, at 0.31 m3/ton in concentrators, is below the national average.
In the Coquimbo Region, one of the areas of the country to suffer a severe drought in recent years,
the unit coefficient in concentrators reaches 0.32 m3/ton.
The decline in the performance of concentrators in the Valparaíso, Santiago and O’Higgins Regions
reflects the incorporation of data for medium-sized mining companies, for whom it is more difficult
to achieve scale efficiency gains.
In the case of hydrometallurgy, the Atacama Region stands out for its sustained reduction in the useof continental water, giving it the country’s best indicators in this field. This is principally a result of
the use of seawater for leaching.

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Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 201718

Figure 15: Unit coefficients in copper mining by region, 2012-2017

Source: COCHILCO.

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Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 201719

2.1.3 Unit coefficients by size of operation
For the purposes of this analysis, large-scale mining companies are defined as those that process atleast 8,000 tpd (annual output of 50,000 tons of fine copper) and medium-sized companies as thosebelow this threshold.
Table 3: Unit coefficients in copper mining by size of operation, 2012-2017

Source: COCHILCO.

As shown in Table 3, an operation’s size can affect its water efficiency as measured by its unit
coefficient of consumption of continental water in relation to the quantity of mineral treated in eachprocess.
Size is important because it allows a company to tap into scale economies and invest in newtechnologies for reducing water consumption, justifying economically the application of a larger
number of measures to increase conservation of water resources and their reuse in the treatment
processes.
However, it is important to note that some medium-scale operations are using seawater to produce
cathodes, thereby increasing the efficiency of their water use.

2.1.4 Quintiles by quantity of mineral processed
Efficiency in terms of unit coefficients can be analyzed in greater detail by grouping operations inquintiles according to the quantity of mineral treated in their plants. This provides a clearer idea of
the influence of plant size on unit consumption.
Each quintile, expressed in ktpd, is represented by a grey line whose height reflects the quintile’s
average unit consumption of fresh water in m 3/ton. The blue line in the case of sulfide minerals andthe green line in the case of oxides show the level of mineral treated while the distance from one
point to another (the horizontal distance between the circles) represents the size of the operation.
Thus, the greater the distance between the points, the greater the level of mineral processed by theoperation.

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Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 201720

Figure 16: Curve of quintiles for sulfide mineral, 2017

Curve of Quintiles for Sulfide Mineral(Unit consumption vs. ktpd processed)
3,0

2,5

2,0

1,5

1,0

0,5

0,0
0

200

Quintiles

400

600

800

Industry Average

1000

Operations

1200

1400

1600

Vertical quintiles

Source: COCHILCO.

Figure 16 distinguishes between companies in the first quintiles, which are mostly those that use
seawater to reduce their consumption of continental water, followed by those with higher rates ofwater recycling in the concentrator. In the upper part of the curve, there are mainly older plants,
whose age affects their performance in relation to the indicator shown. This is due mainly to theeffect of the operations’ cost structure on optimization of water consumption or, in some cases, tooperational factors such as the difficulty of recycling water from tailings. In the upper part of thecurve, which is where efficiency is lower, the distance between the points on the grey line is also
smaller, representing operations with less processing capacity.

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Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 201721

Figure 17: Curve of quintiles for oxide mineral, 2017

Curve of Quintiles for Leachable Mineral

Unit consumption (m3/ton)(Unit comsumption vs. ktpd processed)
2,0
1,8
1,6
1,4
1,2
1,0
0,8
0,6
0,4
0,2
0,0
0

200

400

600

800

1.000

1.200

1.400

Ktpd

Quintiles

Industry average

operations

Vertical quintiles

Source: COCHILCO.

Figure 17 for hydrometallurgy shows that, in smaller companies, represented by the horizontal
distance between the points on the green line, efficiency is generally below the industry average.
According to the data, scale is important for achieving greater efficiency of consumption in this typeof process. The operations located in the lower part of the curve are those that use seawater.
However, a characteristic of the most efficient operations is that they specialize in the productionof cathodes using electrowinning, leaving the mixed operations that use both metallurgicalprocesses in the intermediate area of the graph. Smaller operations and some older operations canbe seen in the upper area.

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Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 2017

2.2

22

Recycling

Recycling is a key aspect of the management of water resources in copper mining. Surplus water
can be reused in the same process or in different stages of it or be sent from one process to another,according to the quality and quantity requirements of each process. In both cases, there is asignificant saving in terms of optimization of the use of the resource and reduction in the volume ofwater that must be treated prior to its discharge.

2.2.1 Recycling in operations
In 2017, the industry had a recycling rate of 69.7%, weighted by the output of each region. This iscalculated as the total recycled water entering an operation divided by the total water entering it,
regardless of its source.
Figure 18: Recycling rate in copper mining operations, 2012-2017

69,7%
Recycling

According to the information supplied by companies, the region with the highest rate of water
recycling at mine sites in 2017 was the Coquimbo Region with 81%, This is explained mainly by theLos Pelambres operation, which has had a water recycling system in operation for many years andmoves the clear water recovered from the EI Mauro tailings dam to the mineral processing plant
located in the Piuquenes sector. The Coquimbo Region suffers severe water stress and is one of theregions where there is most competition for water for other uses such as agriculture.
It is followed by the Santiago Region, with a 75% recycling rate, thanks to the Los Bronces
development project which has significantly increased its recycling rate since 2011. The measures it
has adopted include a system to recycle water from its Las Tórtolas tailings dam to the milling plant.
In the case of sulfide minerals, water consumption can be significantly reduced by recycling fromthickeners and tailings dams, avoiding leaks and minimizing evaporation while, in the case of oxides,
this can be achieved by recycling solutions, avoiding infiltrations and minimizing evaporation.

Comisión Chilena del CobreResearch and Public Policy Department
Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 201723

2.2.2 Recycling in concentrators
The recycling rate is calculated by dividing the total amount of recycled water by the total waterused in the process, including the recycled water and the net flow of water reserves.
In the case of concentrators, water recovery must be maximized in order to minimize consumptionof continental water and decrease discharge. As the concentration process is very intensive in wateruse, particularly in the case of flotation, the aim should be to reuse as much water as possible.
In the industry as a whole, recycling in concentrator plants reached 75.7% in 2017, up by 7% on
2016. In general, when fresh water accounts for almost all the water used, it is because recycling is
not technically feasible. This usually occurs when the concentrator plant is located at a higher
altitude than the tailings and/or thickeners and pumping the water back into the process would
have a high cost in terms of energy consumption and investment outlay.

Figure 19: Recycling rate in concentrators, 2012-2017

75,7%
Recycling

Source: COCHILCO.

The Coquimbo Region is the region with the highest recycling rate in concentrators (85.5%),
followed by the Atacama Region (79%).

2.2.3 Recycling by process and output
It is important to analyze recycling rates according to the quantity of mineral processed and of finecopper produced.

Comisión Chilena del CobreResearch and Public Policy Department
Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 201724

Figure 20 shows the relationship between the recycling rate and these two variables, disaggregatedby type of mineral or, in other words, whether it corresponds to oxides, which are treated usinghydrometallurgical processes, or sulfides, which are mostly treated using concentration.
In this case, the size of the circle corresponds to output of fine copper while the water recycling rateis shown on the x axis and the quantity of mineral processed on the y axis. The blue rings indicate
mineral treated using concentration and the green rings mineral treated with hydrometallurgicalprocesses.

Kt of processed mineral

Figure 20: Recycling by process and quantity of mineral processed, 2017100.000
90.00080.00070.00060.00050.00040.00030.00020.00010.000
0
-5%

5%

15%

25%

35%

45%

55%

65%

75%

85%

95%

Percentage of water recirculated by process

Hydrometallurgy

Concentration

Source: COCHILCO.

Based on Figure 20, it can be concluded that hydrometallurgical processes have lower recycling rates
than concentration processes. Water use in the former is considerably lower and it is technicallydifficult to achieve higher recycling rates.

Comisión Chilena del CobreResearch and Public Policy Department
Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 2017

25

Chapter 3: Seawater
3.1

Use of seawater

There is strong pressure on the quantity and quality of natural courses of water, making thediversification of sources of supply an essential part of a water strategy, and seawater is abundant.
Mining is the activity that is making the greatest use of seawater and has, indeed, been a pioneer inthis field as well as promoting growing improvements in technologies for pumping this resource up
to mine sites.
The increasing scarcity of water seen in Chile is most marked in the north of the country which iswhere most mining activity takes place. In response, mining companies have sought new sources ofsupply in order to ensure production or maintain different value propositions for their communities.
In this context, the use of seawater, either directly or in desalinated form, has emerged as a variablein the evaluation of different projects and as a factor in the industry’s social sustainability in the faceof the constant demands of a sector of citizens.
Figure 21 shows the evolution of seawater consumption in the copper mining industry between
2010 and 2017 when it grew at an average annual rate of around 52%.
Figure 21: Use of seawater in copper mining, 2010-2017 (m3/sec)
1,61

1,63
1,53

1,31

0,88
0,82
0,61

0,97
0,83

0,71
0,58

0,49
0,37
0,22
0,130,11

2010

2011

2012

2013

Desalinated

2014

2015

2016

2017

Without desalination

Source: COCHILCO.

Comisión Chilena del CobreResearch and Public Policy Department
Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 201726

The use of seawater directly or after desalination frees up the fresh water from groundwater sources
such as aquifers (the principal source of fresh water in northern Chile) or surface sources such as
rivers.
In 2017, the copper mining industry consumed 3.16 m3/sec of seawater, equivalent to 19% of its
total water consumption. Out of this, 1.63 m3/sec corresponded to seawater used directly and 1.53
m3/sec to water that had previously been desalinated.

3.2

Seawater operations and new projects

The scarcity of water in some parts of northern Chile has become a strategic issue for industries
such as mining. In their search for ways to address this problem, companies have focused on one
option: the construction of desalination plants. This alternative enables mining companies to lookto the long term.
Given the importance that the use of seawater has and will have in the copper mining industry, thisreport includes a list of desalination plants and systems for the direct use of seawater that are
already in operation or at different stages of advance, according to the information published by
the companies in question.
In addition, at least eight new projects using seawater are planned as well as four expansions and/or
replacements of existing systems. Most of these are located in the Antofagasta or Atacama Region.
When analyzing current operations and future projects with seawater, it is important to bear inmind the close relationship that exists between the use of seawater and energy consumption since,in one way or another, this implies the transformation of the problem of water scarcity into anenergy problem. The cost of water inevitably becomes an energy cost, highlighting the importanceof greater integration between water and sustainable energy in which water reuse, combined withintegrated management of basins, could provide a solution to the shortage seen in highly vulnerable
basins in arid environments.
At the same time, it is important to consider the particular characteristics of each operation and its
environment in defining its water supply. It is not always technically, economically or socially
feasible to use seawater. The location of an operation is vital in this analysis, because not all
operations can be supplied with seawater.

Comisión Chilena del CobreResearch and Public Policy Department
Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 201727

Table 4: Seawater desalination plants and pumping systems in the copper mining industry
Start-up
Status-Ownership

Name

RegionCapacity of
Desalination Plant(lts/sec)

Direct Seawater
Capacity (lts/sec)

HaldemanMichilla

Antofagasta

75

25

-

Closed (expected torestart in 2019)
In operation

ENAMI

J.A. Moreno Plant (Taltal)

Antofagasta

-

15

-

In operation

Las Cenizas

Las Cenizas Taltal

Antofagasta

9

12

-

In operation

Mantos de la Luna

Mantos de la Luna

Antofagasta

5

20

-

Operation halted

Pampa Camarones

Pampa Camarones

Arica y Parinacota

-

25

-

In operation

BHP

Escondida – Coloso Plant

Antofagasta

525

-

-

In operation

AMSA

Distrito Centinela (Esperanza + El Tesoro)

Antofagasta

50

1,500

-

In operation

AMSA

Antucoya

Antofagasta

20

280

-

In operation

Mantos Copper

Mantoverde

Atacama120--

In operation

Lundin Mining

Candelaria

Atacama

300--

In operation

KGHM Int.

Sierra Gorda

Antofagasta

-

1,315

-

In operation

BHP

Escondida EWS

Antofagasta

2,500

-

2018

Feasibility

Lundin Mining

Candelaria 2030 – Operational continuity

Atacama

200 (1)-

2020

Feasibility

AMSA

Centinela mining development - Stage 1

Antofagasta-

850 (2)2020

Feasibility

AMSA

Los Pelambres – marginal expansion I and II

Coquimbo

400

-

2020

Feasibility

COPEC

Diego de Almagro

Atacama

-

315

2020

Feasibility

BHP

Spence Growth Option

Antofagasta

1,000

-

Atacama

260 (3)-2020

Feasibility

Mantos Copper

Desarrollo Mantoverde

2020

Feasibility

Codelco

Adaptation of desalination plant RT Sulfides – Stage 1

Antofagasta

630 (4)2021

Feasibility

Teck

Quebrada Blanca Hypogene

Tarapacá

1,300

-

2021

Without EIA

Goldcorp and Teck

NuevaUnión

Antofagasta

740

-

2023

Feasibility suspended

Capstone Mining

Santo Domingo

Antofagasta

30

400

2024

Feasibility

AMSA

Centinela mining development - Stage 2

Antofagasta-

1,650 (5)2025

Without EIA

Freeport McMoran

El Abra Mill Project

Antofagasta

500-

Source: COCHILCO based on public information.

Comisión Chilena del CobreResearch and Public Policy Department
Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 201728

Notes to Table 4:(1) The current aqueduct has a design capacity of 500 lts/sec; includes the construction of a parallel aqueductfrom the Warehouse sector to the mine site.
(2) New aqueduct parallel to the existing one.
(3) Increase in the capacity of the existing plant from 120 lts/sec to 380 lts/sec.
(4) Also postpones the exploitation of new phases of sulfide mineral at the RT mine, postponing theinvestment until a Stage 2 in which the desalination capacity of Stage 1 would be expanded to a maximum of
1,630 lts/sec.
(5) Replacement of existing aqueduct.

Comisión Chilena del CobreResearch and Public Policy Department
Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 2017

29

Chapter 4: Final comments
Climate change, population growth and the industrial use of water are some of the factors that
affect water availability. In addition, the expansion of urban infrastructure exerts pressure on thequantity and quality of natural water courses.
In this context, the mining industry faces three strategic long-term risks related to water: to ensuresufficient water for production increases; to reduce water and energy consumption and emissions
in line with social, environmental and economic pressures; and, as part of a sustainable
development strategy, to understand the links between water, energy and emissions so that an
improvement in one area does not result in a greater adverse effect in another. Long-term water
solutions must be flexible, adaptable and environmentally sustainable.
In 2017, the industry used 13.26 m3/sec of continental water, 3.16 m3/sec of seawater and 38.07
m3/sec of recycled water, giving a total consumption of 54.5 m3/sec. Consumption was highest in
the Antofagasta region, which produces over 52% of Chile’s copper, followed by the Tarapacá and
O’Higgins Regions.
As regards sources, the most important is groundwater, which accounted for 41% of the water usedby the industry, followed by surface water (33%), seawater (19%) and water acquired from third
parties (7%).
Analysis of water use by mining process at a regional level shows that, in all regions (with the
exception of the Arica y Parinacota Region which, due to its low volume of copper production, is not
representative), concentration is the process with the highest water use.
Water recycling decreased in 2017 as compared to 2016. According to the information provided bycompanies, this was due mainly to a reduction in recycling at some large oxide operations in the
Tarapacá and Antofagasta Regions. Effective reuse and recycling technology are essential, alongwith proper management of supply sources, in order to reduce consumption. The search for ways
to reduce water consumption should, therefore, focus on the development of technologies and/or
solutions for the sulfide minerals line, given its water intensity compared to the processing of oxides.
The use of advanced water treatment technologies and alternative sources of supply has created asecondary market opportunity in the use of seawater. Desalination processes have the greatest
growth potential. In this scenario, mining companies have begun to give priority to investments indesalination plants or pumping systems for the direct use of seawater in their processes as a meansof overcoming the difficulties of obtaining water resources.
Most new mining projects consider seawater as a source of supply. However, this poses significant
challenges in terms of cost, due to the high investment outlay required for these projects and theirhigh energy consumption, not only for the desalination process but, above all, to pump the waterfrom the coast to the mine site.

Comisión Chilena del CobreResearch and Public Policy Department
Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 201730

Although seawater is a safe and inexhaustible source, it is not necessarily the best solution for all
projects. Water requires local management in which the main elements can vary significantly fromone operation to another, depending on the configuration of the local water withdrawal area andthe nature of the operation itself. It is, therefore, essential to analyze the problem of water supply
in a regional context, seeking possible synergies that would reduce costs and contributing solutions
not only for mining but also other sectors, based on their future demand, that take advantage of
economies of scale and, therefore, achieve a design that is as efficient as possible.

Comisión Chilena del CobreResearch and Public Policy Department
Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 201731

AppendicesTabla N°1
CONSUMO DE AGUA CONTINENTAL EN LA MINERÍA DEL COBRE POR PROCESO Y TOTAL
Unidades
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Concentración lts/seg
8.724
9.144
8.856
9.190
9.079
Hidrometalurgia lts/seg
2.184
1.856
1.778
1.384
1.751
Otros lts/seg
1.362
1.651
1.930
1.804
1.324
Fundición y Refinería lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
ND
566
TOTAL PAÍS lts/seg
12.27012.651
12.56412.37912.719

2014
8.947
1.705
1.748
551
12.951

2015
9.201
2.008
1.339
523
13.072

2016
9.708
1.930
1.337
640
13.614

2017
8.902
1.845
1.978
539
13.264* El item "otros" corresponde a agua utilizada en la mina para la supresion de polvo en caminos, agua potable utilizada en campamentos, y de servicios auxiliares.
* Fundición y Refinería se encontraba en el item otros, al 2015 se integran más fundiciones al catastro y se actualiza 2013 y 2014.

Tabla N°1.1
DISTRIBUCIÓN PORCENTUAL DEL CONSUMO DE AGUA CONTINENTAL EN LA MINERÍA DEL COBRE POR PROCESO
Unidades
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Concentración
%
71,1%
72,3%
70,5%
74,2%
71,4%
69,1%
70,4%
Hidrometalurgia
%
17,8%
14,7%
14,1%
11,2%
13,8%
13,2%
15,4%
Otros
%
11,1%
13,1%
15,4%
14,6%
10,4%
13,5%
10,2%
Fundición y Refinería
%
4,4%
4,3%
4,0%

2016
71,3%
14,2%
9,8%
4,7%

2017
67,1%
13,9%
14,9%
4,1%

Tabla N°2
EXTRACCIÓN DE AGUA EN LA MINERÍA DEL COBRE SEGÚN FUENTE DE EXTRACCIÓN
Unidades
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
Aguas Superficiales lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
5.867
5.942
Aguas Subterráneas lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
5.749
6.200
Aguas adquiridas a terceros lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
763
577
Aguas de mar lts/seg
316
243
713
978
1.287

2016
6.206
6.332
1.077
2.446

2017
5.463
6.667
1.133
3.162

2014
5.908
6.302
742
1.707

2015
5.577
6.430
1.064
2.275

* Las aguas superficiales son aquellas que corren por cauces naturales como vertientes, esteros, ríos y quebradas, o se encuentran acumuladas en depósitos comolagos, lagunas, pantanos, ciénagas, y/o embalses.
* Las aguas subterráneas son aquellas que están ocultas bajo tierra, almacenadas en acuíferos o embalses subterráneos que requieren de labores previas de exploración.
* Las aguas adquiridas a terceros hace referencia a un contrato con terceros donde se compra el agua directamente.
* El agua de mar corresponde a toda agua de mar que es extraída desde la costa, ésta tiene dos vías posibles, ya sea utilizada directamente en los procesos o previa desalinización.
* Datos 2009-2011 "No Disponibles" por cambio en el formato de la encuesta.

Tabla N° 3
USO DE AGUA DE MAR EN LA MINERÍA DEL COBRE
Año
Unidades2009
2010
Desalada lts/seg
180
132
Salobre lts/seg
136
111
TOTAL
lts/seg
316
243

2011
223
490
713

2012
369
609
978

2013
581
706
1.287

2014
885
822
1.707

2015
965
1.309
2.275

2016
834
1.612
2.446

2017
1532
1.630
3.162

Tabla N°4
CONSUMO UNITARIO DE AGUA CONTINENTAL POR TONELADA DE MINERAL PROCESADO/TRATADO
Unidades
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Concentración m3/ton_min
0,67
0,69
0,65
0,61
0,57
0,53
Hidrometalurgia m3/ton_min
0,12
0,12
0,12
0,10
0,09
0,08

2015
0,52
0,08

2016
0,50
0,10

2017
0,45
0,11

* De acuerdo a lo reportado por las empresas mineras* 2011 incluye Esperanza según reporte sustentabiliad de la empresa* 2014 actualizado según datos entregados al 2015

Comisión Chilena del CobreResearch and Public Policy Department
Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 2017

Tabla N° 5
CONSUMO UNITARIO DE AGUA CONTINENTAL DE ACUERDO AL TAMAÑO DE EMPRESA
Unidades
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
CONCENTRACIÓN
Gran Minería del Cobre m3/ton_min
0,67
0,68
0,63
0,59
0,57
Mediana Minería del Cobre m3/ton_min
0,78
0,90
0,88
0,88
0,85
PROMEDIO PAÍS
0,67
0,69
0,65
0,61
0,57
HIDROMETALURGIA
Gran Minería del Cobre m3/ton_min
0,12
0,11
0,12
0,10
0,10
Mediana Minería del Cobre m3/ton_min
0,11
0,19
0,24
0,10
0,06
PROMEDIO PAÍS
0,12
0,12
0,12
0,10
0,09

32

2014

2015

2016

2017

0,53
0,59
0,53

0,50
0,89
0,52

0,49
0,73
0,50

0,44
0,65
0,45

0,08
0,15
0,08

0,07
0,25
0,08

0,09
0,27
0,10

0,10
0,25
0,11

Tabla N°6
RECIRCULACIÓN DE AGUA EN LA OPERACIÓN COMPLETA
Unidades2009
2010
Agua Recirculada total lts/seg
ND
ND
Tasa de recirculación
%
ND
ND

2011
25.36768,7%

2012
34.29174,0%

2013
32.13873,0%2014
31.70873,9%2015
40.38272,5%

2016
43.26972,9%2017
38.06969,7%Tabla N°7
RECIRCULACIÓN DE AGUA EN LA CONCENTRADORA
Unidades2009
2010
Agua Recirculada en lts/seg
14.69618.052
Tasa de recirculación
%
57,3%
62,9%

2011
20.601
67,7%

2012
21.75068,0%2013
20.38667,8%

2014
21.40870,3%

2015
25.07173,2%

2016
23.71771,0%

2017
27.72075,7%

CONSUMO DE AGUA TOTAL EN LA MINERÍA DEL COBRE
Unidades2009
2010
Aguas Continentales lts/seg
12.27012.651Aguas de Mar lts/seg
316
243
Aguas Recirculadas lts/seg
ND
ND
TOTAL PAÍS lts/seg
12.27012.651

2011
12.564713
25.367
12.5642012
12.379
97834.29147.6482013
12.7191.287
32.13846.1432014
12.951
1.707
31.70846.3652015
13.0722.275
40.38255.7292016
13.6142.446
43.26959.3292017
13.264
3.162
38.06954.495Comisión Chilena del CobreResearch and Public Policy Department
Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 2017

Tabla N°8
EXTRACCIÓN DE AGUA CONTINENTAL EN LA MINERÍA DEL COBRE POR PROCESO PRODUCTIVO Y TOTAL
Unidades
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
REGIÓN DE ARICA Y PARINACOTA
Concentración lts/seg
0
0
0
0
0
0
Hidrometalurgia lts/seg
0
0
0
0
0
3
Otros lts/seg
0
0
0
0
0
1
Fundición y Refinería lts/seg
0
0
0
0
0
0
TOTAL XV lts/seg
0
0
0
0
0
4
REGIÓN DE TARAPACÁ
Concentración lts/seg
997
952
887
902
905
905
Hidrometalurgia lts/seg
179
189
140
170
131
163
Otros lts/seg
99
273
261
289
284
273
Fundición y Refinería lts/seg
0
0
0
0
0
0
TOTAL Ilts/seg
1.275
1.413
1.288
1.361
1.320
1.341
REGIÓN DE ANTOFAGASTA
Concentración lts/seg
3.373
3.242
3.081
3.271
3.289
3.227
Hidrometalurgia lts/seg
1.441
1.329
1.388
1.002
1.369
1.351
Otros lts/seg
937
976
781
679
107
553
Fundición y Refinería lts/seg
0
0
0
0
221
294
TOTAL II lts/seg
5.751
5.546
5.250
4.952
4.986
5.424
REGIÓN DE ATACAMA
Concentración lts/seg
1.201
1.266
1.208
1.136
1.121
882
Hidrometalurgia lts/seg
153
165
168
134
158
100
Otros lts/seg
296
235
260
354
95
390
Fundición y Refinería lts/seg
0
0
0
0
80
77
TOTAL III lts/seg
1.650
1.667
1.636
1.624
1.454
1.449
REGIÓN DE COQUIMBO
Concentración lts/seg
479
794
801
903
702
886
Hidrometalurgia lts/seg
34
25
4
12
6
7
Otros lts/seg
21
21
153
108
377
93
Fundición y Refinería lts/seg
0
0
0
0
0
0
TOTAL IV lts/seg
534
839
958
1.023
1.085
986
REGIÓN DE VALPARAÍSO
Concentración lts/seg
751
947
1.034
997
1.066
1.141
Hidrometalurgia lts/seg
96
NI
76
2
2
0
Otros lts/seg
0
147
0
76
270
218
Fundición y Refinería lts/seg
0
0
0
0
114
79
TOTAL V lts/seg
847
1.094
1.110
1.075
1.452
1.438
REGIÓN DE O´HIGGINS
Concentración lts/seg
1.403
1.508
1.429
1.392
1.312
1.304
Hidrometalurgia lts/seg
265
118
1
10
10
10
Otros lts/seg
0
0
305
256
156
183
Fundición y Refinería lts/seg
0
0
0
0
150
100
TOTAL VI lts/seg
1.668
1.626
1.735
1.659
1.628
1.598
REGIÓN METROPOLITANA
Concentración lts/seg
521
436
417
589
684
602
Hidrometalurgia lts/seg
16
30
1
54
75
71
Otros lts/seg
9
0
170
42
35
38
Fundición y Refinería lts/seg
0
0
0
0
0
0
TOTAL RM lts/seg
546
466
588
685
794
711

33

2015

2016

2017

0
4
2
0
7

0
5
0,1
0
5

0
5
0,1
0
5

905
163
148
0
1.217

862
107
160
0
1.129

844
91
233
0
1.167

3.093
1.643
515
261
5.512

2.836
1.535
686
258
5.315

2.372
1.484
872
239
4.967

866
70
151
80
1.168

1.033
68
107
114
1.322

995,30260,338
214
81
1.351

962
14
170
0
1.145

1.134
53
104
0
1.291

823
56
267
0
1.146

1.038
33
148
82
1.301

1.156
34
63
82
1.336

962
16
205
80
1.263

1.741
10
162
100
2.013

1.883
8
161
186
2.238

1.978
8
142
139
2.268

596
70
42
0
708

804
118
56
0
979

927
125
44
0
1.097

Comisión Chilena del CobreResearch and Public Policy Department
Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 2017

Tabla N°9
EXTRACCIÓN DE AGUA EN LA MINERÍA DEL COBRE SEGÚN FUENTE
Unidades
2009
2010
2011
REGIÓN DE ARICA Y PARINACOTA
Aguas Superficiales lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas Subterráneas lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas adquiridas a terceros lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas de mar lts/seg
0
0
0
0
0
0
REGIÓN DE TARAPACÁ
Aguas Superficiales lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas Subterráneas lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas adquiridas a terceros lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas de mar lts/seg
0
0
0
0
0
0
REGIÓN DE ANTOFAGASTA
Aguas Superficiales lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas Subterráneas lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas adquiridas a terceros lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas de mar lts/seg
316
243
713
316
243
713
REGIÓN DE ATACAMA
Aguas Superficiales lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas Subterráneas lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas adquiridas a terceros lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas de mar lts/seg
0
0
0
0
0
0
REGIÓN DE COQUIMBO
Aguas Superficiales lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas Subterráneas lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas adquiridas a terceros lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas de mar lts/seg
0
0
0
0
0
0
REGION DE VALPARAISO
Aguas Superficiales lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas Subterráneas lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas adquiridas a terceros lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas de mar lts/seg
0
0
0
0
0
0
REGIÓN DE O´HIGGINS
Aguas Superficiales lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas Subterráneas lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas adquiridas a terceros lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas de mar lts/seg
0
0
0
0
0
0
REGIÓN METROPOLITANA
Aguas Superficiales lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas Subterráneas lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas adquiridas a terceros lts/seg
ND
ND
ND
Aguas de mar lts/seg
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

34

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

0
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0

0
0
4
0
4

0
0
7
0
7

0
0
5
0
5

0
0
5
0
5

0
1.271
90
0
1.361

105
1.215
0
0
1.320

104
1.153
84
0
1.341

0
1.133
84
0
1.217

15
1.030
85
0
1.129

0
1.090
77
0
1.167

1.915
2.539
498
978
5.931

1.964
2.600
422
1.039
6.025

1.926
3.014
484
1.274
6.698

1.674
3.148
691
1.767
7.279

1.747
2.854
715
2.053
7.368

750
3.433
784
2.694
7.661

701
747
175
0
1.624

541
759
154
248
1.702

545
750
155
433
1.883

408
704
56
508
1.676

384
767
171
393
1.714

546
634
171
468
1.819

589
433
0
0
1.023

494
590
0
0
1.085

552
433
0
0
986

608
507
31
0
1.145

660
614
17
0
1.291

609,4
520,0481
16,3774
0
1.146

754
322
0
0
1.075

829
623
0
0
1.452

819
604
15
0
1.438

681
606
14
0
1.301

705
619
12
0
1.336

638
612
13
0
1.263

1.430
229
0
0
1.659

1.363
219
0
0
1.582

1.469
175
0
0
1.644

1.683
181
150
0
2.013

1.953
285
0
0
2.238

2.017
251
0
0
2.268

478
207
0
0
685
12.379

600
194
0
0
794
12.673

537
174
0
0
711
12.997

523
153
32
0
708
13.072

742
162
74
0
979
13.614

903
127
67
0
1.097
13.264* Las aguas superficiales son aquellas que corren por cauces naturales como vertientes, esteros, ríos y quebradas, o se encuentran acumuladas en depósitos como lagos, lagunas, pantanos, ciénagas, y/o emba
* Las aguas subterráneas son aquellas que están ocultas bajo tierra, almacenadas en acuíferos o embalses subterráneos que requieren de labores previas de exploración.
* Las aguas adquiridas a terceros hace referencia a un contrato con terceros donde se compra el agua directamente.
* El agua de mar corresponde a toda agua de mar que es extraída desde la costa, ésta tiene dos vías posibles, ya sea utilizada directamente en los procesos o previa desalinización.
* Datos 2009-2011 "No Disponibles" por cambio en el formato de la encuesta.

Comisión Chilena del CobreResearch and Public Policy Department
Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 2017

Tabla N°10
CONSUMO UNITARIO DE AGUA CONTINENTAL POR TONELADA DE MINERAL PROCESADO O LIXIVIADO
Unidades
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
REGIÓN DE ARICA Y PARINACOTA
Concentración m3/ton_min
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
Hidrometalurgia m3/ton_min
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
0,29

2015

2016

2017

NA
0,26

NA
0,27

NA
ND

REGIÓN DE TARAPACÁ
Concentración m3/ton_min
Hidrometalurgia m3/ton_min

0,68
0,12

0,60
0,11

0,57
0,08

0,63
0,09

0,59
0,09

0,58
0,12

0,65
0,13

0,55
0,10

0,53
0,12

REGIÓN DE ANTOFAGASTA
Concentración m3/ton_min
Hidrometalurgia m3/ton_min

0,68
0,13

0,73
0,12

0,73
0,12

0,59
0,08

0,58
0,10

0,52
0,08

0,43
0,11

0,38
0,10

0,31
0,10

REGIÓN DE ATACAMA
Concentración m3/ton_min
Hidrometalurgia m3/ton_min

0,83
0,20

0,79
0,20

0,78
0,18

0,84
0,15

0,85
0,13

0,56
0,07

0,48
0,05

0,48
0,06

0,43
0,05

REGIÓN DE COQUIMBO
Concentración m3/ton_min
Hidrometalurgia m3/ton_min

0,31
0,19

0,37
0,23

0,31
0,08

0,35
ND

0,26
0,09

0,32
0,12

0,38
0,22

0,46
0,27

0,32
0,99

REGIÓN DE VALPARAÍSO
Concentración m3/ton_min
Hidrometalurgia m3/ton_min

0,75
ND

0,93
ND

0,84
ND

0,78
0,07

0,77
ND

0,88
ND

0,85
0,47

1,00
0,69

0,75
0,47

REGIÓN DE O´HIGGINS
Concentración m3/ton_min
Hidrometalurgia m3/ton_min

0,66
ND

0,71
ND

0,70
ND

0,81
ND

0,85
ND

0,79
ND

0,85
ND

0,73
ND

0,78
ND

REGIÓN METROPOLITANA
Concentración m3/ton_min
Hidrometalurgia m3/ton_min

0,80
0,01

0,73
0,02

0,55
0,11

0,41
0,06

0,41
0,04

0,35
0,05

0,41
0,01

0,53
ND

0,64
ND

Tabla N°11
RECIRCULACIÓN DE AGUA EN LA OPERACIÓN COMPLETA
Unidades20092010REGIÓN DE ARICA Y PARINACOTA
Agua Recirculada total lts/seg
ND
ND
Tasa de recirculación total
%
ND
ND

35

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

ND
ND

ND
ND

ND
ND

ND
ND

ND
ND

124
96%

0
0%

REGIÓN DE TARAPACÁ
Agua Recirculada total
Tasa de recirculación total

lts/seg
%

ND
ND

ND
ND

3.641
73,9%

3.740
73,3%

4.406
76,9%

3.501
72,3%

3.564
74,5%

4.395
79,6%

3.210
73,3%

lts/seg
%

ND
ND

ND
ND

12.57070,5%13.73673,5%13.77573,5%13.83774,8%21.13775,1%21.83476,7%17.27669,3%

lts/seg
%

ND
ND

ND
ND

3.175
66,0%

2.743
62,8%

2.803
66,5%

2.787
69,7%

3.424
68,2%

4.758
74,8%

3.990
68,7%

lts/seg
%

ND
ND

ND
ND

4.068
80,9%

4.629
81,9%

4.186
79,4%

4.075
80,5%

4.677
80,3%

5.148
79,9%

4.875
81,0%

lts/seg
%

ND
ND

ND
ND

631
36,2%

3.252
75,1%

1.688
55,8%

1.387
50,5%

1.735
58,7%

1.502
54,5%

1.810
58,9%

lts/seg
%

ND
ND

ND
ND

159
8,4%

3.593
68,4%

2.424
60,5%

2.645
62,3%

3.315
63,4%

3.569
63,5%

3.566
61,1%

lts/seg
%

ND
ND

ND
ND

1.123
65,6%

2.598
79,1%

2.856
78,2%

3.476
83,0%

2.510
78,0%

1.918
66,2%

3.201
74,5%

REGIÓN DE ANTOFAGASTAAgua Recirculada total
Tasa de recirculación totalREGIÓN DE ATACAMA
Agua Recirculada total
Tasa de recirculación totalREGIÓN DE COQUIMBO
Agua Recirculada total
Tasa de recirculación totalREGIÓN DE VALPARAÍSO
Agua Recirculada total
Tasa de recirculación totalREGIÓN DE O´HIGGINSAgua Recirculada total
Tasa de recirculación totalREGIÓN METROPOLITANA
Agua Recirculada total
Tasa de recirculación total* Datos 2009-2010 "No Disponibles" por cambio en el formato de la encuesta.

Comisión Chilena del CobreResearch and Public Policy Department
Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 2017

Tabla N°12
RECIRCULACIÓN DE AGUA EN LA CONCENTRADORA
Unidades20092010REGIÓN DE ARICA Y PARINACOTA
Agua Recirculada enconcentradora
Tasa de recirculación
concentradora

lts/seg
%

36

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

NA

NA

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

ND

NA

NA

3.326

3.590

3.641

3.234

3.501

3.501

3.501

3.348

3.208

76,9%

79,0%

80,4%

78,2%

79,5%

79,5%

79,5%

79,5%

79,2%

2.467

2.637

3.313

4.146

4.170

5.289

6.431

4.023

7.187

42,2%

44,9%

51,8%

55,9%

55,9%

62,3%

67,5%

58,7%

75,2%

2.849

3.011

2.856

3.086

2.607

2.703

2.931

4.577

3.748

70,3%

70,4%

70,3%

73,1%

69,9%

75,9%

77,2%

81,6%

79,0%

2.667
84,8%

4.025
83,5%

5.027
86,3%

4.579
83,5%

3.049
81,3%

3.302
79,6%

4.663
82,9%

4.780
80,8%

4.858
85,5%

1.168

1.096

1.397

1.605

1.688

1.103

1.720

1.502

1.803

60,9%

53,6%

57,5%

61,7%

61,3%

54,8%

62,4%

56,5%

65,2%

1.209

3.058

3.244

2.493

2.515

2.547

3.315

3.569

3.566

46,3%

67,0%

69,4%

64,2%

65,7%

67,0%

65,6%

65,5%

64,3%

1.009

634

1.123

2.608

2.856

2.962

2.510

1.918

3.201

66,0%

59,2%

72,9%

81,6%

80,7%

85,2%

80,8%

70,4%

77,5%

REGIÓN DE TARAPACÁ
Agua Recirculada enconcentradora
Tasa de recirculación
concentradora

lts/seg%REGIÓN DE ANTOFAGASTAAgua Recirculada enconcentradora
Tasa de recirculación
concentradora

lts/seg%REGIÓN DE ATACAMA
Agua Recirculada enconcentradora
Tasa de recirculación
concentradoraREGIÓN
DERecirculada
COQUIMBO
Agua
enconcentradora
Tasa derecirculación
concentradora

lts/seg%

lts/seg%REGIÓN DE VALPARAÍSO
Agua Recirculada enconcentradora
Tasa de recirculación
concentradora

lts/seg%REGIÓN DE O´HIGGINSAgua Recirculada enconcentradora

lts/seg

Tasa de recirculación
concentradora%REGIÓN METROPOLITANA
Agua Recirculada enconcentradora

lts/seg

Tasa de recirculación
concentradora%

Comisión Chilena del CobreResearch and Public Policy Department
Water consumption in the copper mining industry, 201737

This report was prepared in the Research and Public Policy Department by

Camila Montes
Strategy and Public Policy Analyst

Jorge Cantallopts
Director of Research and Public Policy

July 2018

Comisión Chilena del Cobre