Collahuasi copper project faces 296 citizen objections in Chile

The Environmental Evaluation Service (SEA) has published 296 citizen observations regarding a US$345 million mining project proposed by Collahuasi in the Tarapacá region of Chile. The project, titled “Modificación de extracción de estéril rajo Rosario, nueva cantera Ujina y ajustes en sistema de bombeo de relaves, faena Cordillera,” aims to increase material movement in the Rosario pit from 300 to approximately 330 million tons annually between 2027 and 2030.

Citizen concerns include the need to georeference cacti, evaluate impacts on chinchilla populations, and address potential stress on livestock caused by machinery noise and blasting. The initiative also includes operating a new quarry and relocating a tailings pumping station.

The project is owned by Anglo American (44%), Glencore (44%), and Japan Collahuasi B.V. (12%). Construction is scheduled to begin in 2030, with the phase to increase material movement starting in mid-2027.