Chile's Las Cenizas Mining Company's 110-kilometer seawater transportation project fully commissioned

en.Wedoany.com Reported - Chilean mining company Minera Las Cenizas has completed the full commissioning confirmation of the seawater transportation project for the Taltal mining area. The water transportation system has passed operational tests and is supplying water to all mining production facilities, including Planta Raimundo Langlois. The project draws water from Bahía Lavata and transports it through approximately 110 kilometers of pipeline to the Franke mining area. The current water transportation capacity is 50 liters per second, with plans to increase it to 100 liters per second in the future.

The project was implemented in phases. The first phase transports seawater to Planta Las Luces and Planta de Óxidos, while the second phase extends the water supply to the Franke mining area. Construction began in early 2025, the first section of the water transportation system was commissioned in February 2026, and the third phase of water transportation facilities to Franke was launched on May 25. With the completion of commissioning of the terminal pipeline and supporting facilities, all production facilities in the Taltal mining area have achieved unified seawater supply.

The project includes a newly built independent seawater pressurized transportation system, comprising approximately 90 kilometers of lined steel pipe, 15 kilometers of high-density polyethylene pipe, and 3 pump stations. The Franke mining area is at an altitude of approximately 1,700 meters. The water transportation system is designed for operating pressure conditions exceeding 100 bar, transporting seawater to the mining area's process water tank and connecting to existing production water supply facilities.

As part of the supporting works, 47 kilometers of fiber optic communication lines were constructed, connecting the Bahía Lavata water intake facilities with Planta de Óxidos, providing data communication, operational monitoring, and remote control functions for the pump stations and water transportation facilities. The system is centrally monitored from the control room at Planta Las Luces, while Planta de Óxidos and Planta Raimundo Langlois are also equipped with operational monitoring functions.

During the construction period, the project team completed environmental assessment, pipeline installation, pump station equipment installation, and system commissioning. The project's environmental assessment permit was obtained in 2024. Construction involved more than 30 contracting, consulting, and engineering service companies, with over 750 personnel participating during the construction period. The main construction work was completed between 2025 and 2026.