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Escondida fined US$8.2M for water infraction

Chile’s environmental regulator, the SMA, has fined the BHP operated Escondida copper mine $6.6 billion pesos (US$8.2 million) for what it says is irreparable environmental damage in the Vegas de Tilopozo near the Atacama Salar caused by impacts of the mine on subterranean waters.

Escondida fined US$8.2M for water infraction Escondida fined US$8.2M for water infraction Escondida fined US$8.2M for water infraction Escondida fined US$8.2M for water infraction Escondida fined US$8.2M for water infraction

The seawater desalination plant serving Escondida in Chile

The fine relates to the mine reducing the level of the water from the surface by than 25cm and since 2005, exceeding the maximum acceptable decrease that vegetation in the area can withstand.