en.Wedoany.com Reported - Novandino Litio, a joint venture between Chile's state-owned Codelco and SQM, has submitted an Environmental Impact Study (EIA) for the Salar de Atacama, aiming to extend its mining operations until 2060 and implement a production system transformation.

The study, titled "Future Operational Continuity and Mining Development in the Salar de Atacama," has been submitted to the Environmental Impact Assessment System (SEIA). The project, named "Salar Futuro," involves an investment of $3 billion and plans to extend mining operations—previously authorized by multiple Environmental Qualification Resolutions (RCA) and expected to last until 2030—to 2060, establishing an integrated production system through a gradual transformation. The project retains the existing operational framework (defined by RCA N°226/2006 and its amendments) while introducing optimization measures and new selective lithium extraction technologies, including forced evaporation, membrane separation, and DLE (Direct Lithium Extraction). The transition period will last seven years, during which the use of continental water resources will be gradually reduced until completely eliminated, replaced by recycled water for production. The project plans a maximum annual production capacity of 470,000 tons of LCE (Lithium Carbonate Equivalent), along with potassium salts and other derivatives. The plan consists of five interdependent areas: the Salar de Atacama Zone, the West Zone, the East Zone, the Road and Inter-Plant Pipeline Zone, and the Power Infrastructure Zone, which together form a unified integrated system. The project is primarily located in the Salar de Atacama in the municipality of San Pedro de Atacama, with some power infrastructure to be situated in the municipalities of Sierra Gorda and Antofagasta. Additionally, the project plans specific activities such as the activation and monitoring of wells for the Hydro-Environmental Monitoring Program (PSAH) in the marginal areas of the Salar de Atacama.