Aiming to prolong the usability of the Spence mine, the initiative will adapt the current leaching operation to extend its useful life until 2039.
The Antofagasta Region’s Environmental Evaluation Commission (Coeva) approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Spence Operational Adequacy project, an initiative by BHP’s Spence mine involving US$1.7 billion in investment.
The regional Coeva acted in accordance with a recommendation by the regional Environmental Evaluation Service (SEA) recommendation, which issued a favorable Consolidated Evaluation Report (ICE) for the initiative.
“The ‘Spence Operational Adequacy’ project involves upgrading the mine’s current leaching operation to extend its useful life until 2039,” the company’s EIA explained.
It also specifies certain modifications, including updating the mine plan, expanding and deepening the existing pit, optimizing the crushing plant and leaching heaps, and enhancing solution handling and solvent extraction.
All this would enable the mine to operate with so-called ‘Full SaL’ technology, which involves processing the ore with new salt concentrations. The initiative also includes a new diesel tank and another sulfuric acid storage tank.
Additionally, the project reconfigures the current barren ore dump to optimize the deposit of material expected through 2039 as a result of pit extraction under the Mining Plan.
In terms of tailings management, the plan reconfigures the current dump (SRDC) and sets up two new ones.
Plans also include complementary infrastructure to support the operation, including a new solar thermal panel system for heating the electro-winning (EW) solutions that will replace diesel boilers.
Did you know that BHP was the first mining company in Chile to exceed 40% women? For more information about mining investment opportunities, visit our website or contact us here.
%2017.11.51.png)
