# Collahuasi mining operations in Chile

> Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/collahuasi-mining-operations-in-chile
> Updated: 2026-10-31T15:06:06.000Z. Sources: 2. Developments: 2.

Compañía Minera Doña Inés de Collahuasi has secured environmental approval to adjust its water pumping schedule in the Coposa basin within the Tarapacá Region. This adjustment, prompted by delays in the construction of a desalination plant, postpones the reduction of groundwater extraction from January 2025 to mid-2026. The company intends to implement deeper extraction cuts over the remaining 186 months of the mine's lifespan and will invest US$5 million in electrical infrastructure for mineral transport.

Separately, the Environmental Evaluation Service (SEA) has recorded 296 citizen observations regarding a proposed US$345 million project. This initiative aims to increase annual material movement in the Rosario pit from 300 to approximately 330 million tons between 2027 and 2030. Local concerns involve the georeferencing of cacti, impacts on chinchilla populations, and potential stress on livestock from noise and blasting. The project, owned by Anglo American, Glencore, and Japan Collahuasi B.V., also includes operating a new quarry and relocating a tailings pumping station.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-31: Collahuasi copper project faces 296 citizen objections in Chile

Chile's Collahuasi copper project faces 296 citizen objections regarding environmental impacts on local flora, fauna, and livestock in the Tarapacá region.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/collahuasi-copper-project-faces-296-citizen-objections-in-chile

### 2026-10-12: Collahuasi receives environmental approval for water pumping adjustments

Collahuasi has secured environmental approval to reschedule water pumping in Chile's Coposa basin due to desalination plant delays, while investing US$5 million in electrical infrastructure.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/collahuasi-receives-environmental-approval-for-water-pumping-adjustments

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Cite as: Collahuasi mining operations in Chile. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/collahuasi-mining-operations-in-chile
