According to foreign media reports, Chile’s environmental regulator has opened an investigation into a water discharge incident at Antofagasta Minerals’ flagship Los Pelambres copper mine after heavy rainfall and landslides hit the Coquimbo region. The regulator confirmed that water from a drainage pond was released into the Pupio waterway, triggering environmental reviews. Antofagasta stated on Thursday that the mine remains safe, explaining that the controlled release from two surge pools downstream of the tailings dam forms part of its established water management system during extreme weather events.
Independent site inspections confirm that the tailings dam remains structurally stable and within safety parameters, presenting no risk to nearby communities or personnel. Heavy storms across central and northern Chile have forced several regional mining operations to scale back activities under winter contingency protocols. Despite the storm-induced weather disruptions and localized operational halts, key infrastructure sustained no material damage, allowing processing at Los Pelambres to resume and full-year copper production guidance to remain intact.
