The companies behind the Zaldívar copper mine in Chile have plans to become the country’s first mine to operate with 100 per cent renewable electricity.
The mine forms a part of a Joint Venture between the Chile-based copper mining group, Antofagasta PLC, and the Canadian gold-mining company Barrick. The Zaldívar copper mine is currently located in the Andean Precordillera in Region II of northern Chile, approximately 1,400 kilometres north of Santiago and 175 kilometres southeast of the port city of Antofagasta.
If successful, the works at the Zaldívar copper mine will be able to replace greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 350,000 tonnes per year, which equates to about 87,000 vehicles per year. The two companies will now source all electricity for Zaldívar from hydro, solar, and wind sources.
“Every responsible business today has an obligation to play a constructive role in tackling the challenges posed by climate change,” announced Barrick’s President, Kelvin Dushnisky, “our climate change strategy includes a commitment to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent by 2030. The agreement with Colbun at Zaldívar is a great example of how we are moving towards our goal”.
The Zaldívar copper mine will be certified by Colbun (a Chilean utility company) in addition to a second undisclosed outside party, to fully confirm that the energy used at the mine comes from renewable sources, which do not generate any emissions.
Barrick has stated that they are committed to responsible mining that is supported by a robust governance framework. Last year 10 per cent of the energy that Barrick used at all of their operating sites worldwide originated from renewable sources. The company have also stated that this is a number that they expect to grow over time.
More information on this project can be accessed here.