translated from Spanish: Sustainable adaptation of Chilean Mining

Chilean mining, according to the rhythm, changes and needs that have been occurring globally, has been oriented gradually to a higher sustainability in its processes and its rela tion with the communities that are directly impacted with its operation. “In this context mining has developed systems that significantly reduce the use of water and electricity and has developed technologies for use of sea water in its operations; at the time that was a pioneer in the use of renewable energy to reduce their carbon footprint “, has the Secretary of mining, Pablo Terrazas.La authority adds that major mining operations in the country have joined the objectives of sustainable development (ODS) ) of the United Nations (UN). “These steps that has been giving the domestic industry are explained in a comprehensive manner see the business and safeguard the future: today the industry can not ensure their continuity if not done in a sustainable way, because the legislation is prohibited” “, as well as the rejection of the communities”, added the Secretary. “The impacts produced by the mining industry are related to the generation of environmental aspects of the management of processes and involving the communities, the environment, the sustainability of the resources required for its operation, between” other”, explains Italo Montofré, PhD in environment and sustainable mining and academic in the Department of metallurgical engineering and mines of the University Catholic of the Norte.NUEVAS rebranded the hand of a development aimed at a greater sustainability is the technology and its implementation in different operations, which allows a more efficient use of resources. “The mining industry, in conjunction with universities and other institutions, is constantly researching on how to influence the reduction of pollutant emissions and waste, use less water and energy saving, which results are part of the benefits” technologies for a sustainable mining”, says Montofre. With respect to the international context, the Undersecretary of mining, adds that Chile is a benchmark, so it rapidly adopting new technologies from abroad. “Today we have the Secretary of mining inside the challenge of generating innovations that break trends in Chile. To cover it, we recently institutionalized the high-grade Corporation, transforming it into the innovative portfolio arm. This entity is a public-private character and within its short-term goals is to advance in the online monitoring of tailings, develop local suppliers, advance in the value chain of resources such as copper and lithium, electromobility and generate human capital to meet the future needs of enterprises, among others”, says the Subsecretario.MANEJO of RELAVESLos tailings – accumulation of mining waste – are a central theme in the sustainable development of the industry, since its proper handling can influencing a lower environmental impact. “In Chile, according to the survey conducted by Sernageomin recently, there are 740 deposits of tailings, which are a historical mining heritage and urgently needed to ensure the physical and chemical stability of these for, on the one hand, comply with the environmental legislation and” “, by another, ensuring the safety of the environment and people”, has Italo Montofré. “Aware that these regulatory bodies can improve is that this Ministry decided to carry out an update of the rules already outlined, which is part of the national policy of tailings.” This initiative aims to advance in the monitoring of tailings through the dam program and working on the remediation and reuse of deposits. This last point is particularly relevant in that it is the first time that a Government creates a policy to cope with the impacts last mining; measures that hopes to bring forward in a public-private effort,”says Deputy Minister of mining.

Original source in Spanish