SANTIAGO (Scrap Monster): The case was pushed to the high court as the result of rejection of the challenge by the court of Copiapo, which was struck down by the high court by ruling against the environmental approval. The decision made by the Supreme Court would effectively put a stop in the production of the mine, stated the Environmental Evaluation Commission of the Atacama region, the environmental agency which is responsible for the blunder of approving the study, without even discussing it with the native Diaguita Indians in advance.

 

According to the court order, a consultation process must be carried out on the basis of International Labor Organizations’ Convention 169. The copper project might require an investment worth, 3.9 billion dollars.

 

The production at EI Morro Copper project involves the construction and maintenance of the open pit copper mine, which is expected to provide production copper capacity for about 14 years, and the estimated production at the mine is 6.1 million pounds of copper. Along with that mine would also produce estimated amount 8.4 million ounces of gold.