en.Wedoany.com Reported - Global mining company BHP formally submitted an Environmental Impact Study (EIA) to Chile's Environmental Assessment Service (SEA) in July 2026, seeking approval to restart the Cerro Colorado copper mine located in the Tarapacá Region of northern Chile. The project, with an investment of $1.5 billion, aims to extend the mine's operational life by 20 years through facility expansion and a new water supply system.

The Cerro Colorado copper mine, an open-pit operation located in the municipality of Pozo Almonte in the Tarapacá Region, began production in 1994. After 30 years of continuous operation, the mine suspended activities in 2023 due to the expiration of its environmental permit. It is currently authorized by Chile's National Geology and Mining Service to remain in temporary closure until 2028.

The submitted project, titled "Extension of Cerro Colorado Mining Operations through Improvement and Expansion of Mining Facilities and Implementation of a New Water Supply System" (CCLE), highlights its water supply solution as a key feature. The plan involves transporting treated domestic wastewater from Alto Hospicio to the mine site via a pipeline over 100 kilometers long. BHP states this is unprecedented among mining projects in the Tarapacá Region. According to the environmental review documents, the project identifies 53 environmental impacts, 12 of which are classified as significant and will be the focus of technical review.

Dee Lingenfelder, President of BHP's Chilean copper business unit Pampa Norte, stated that the project offers an opportunity to usher in a new phase for Cerro Colorado, incorporating solutions to address current challenges in water management, environmental protection, and community relations. The project is expected to create approximately 1,500 jobs during the construction phase and over 3,000 jobs during the operational phase.

The Cerro Colorado copper mine is one of BHP's smaller copper assets in Chile, and its restart is part of BHP's strategy to extend the life of its existing mines. The Environmental Impact Study has now entered the formal review process by Chile's Environmental Assessment Service. A complete environmental impact study typically takes over two years to complete, meaning a final investment decision for the project is still some time away.