Copper Miners Scrambling to Adapt Amidst Water Shortages

Base Metals Investing

The Wall Street Journal recently explored the challenges faced by copper mining companies amidst a 7-year drought in Chile, the world’s number one copper producer.

The Wall Street Journal recently explored the challenges faced by copper mining companies amidst a 7-year drought in Chile, the world’s number one copper producer.
As quoted in the publication:

“We will have to stop operating if the tailings dam can’t operate,” Antofagasta’s chief of mining, Ivan Arriagada, said in an interview.
Companies are scrambling to adapt. Anglo-Australian miners BHP Billiton Ltd. and Rio Tinto PLC are building a $3.4 billion desalination plant in Chile after warning that water shortfalls could crimp production at their jointly owned Escondida mine—the world’s largest, also in Atacama.
Still, some analysts say water-related supply disruptions, declining ore grades—the ratio of pure copper to waste products—and slowing growth of new projects will push copper production into a deficit, where demand outstrips supply by the end of the decade.

Click here for the full Wall Street Journal article.

The Conversation (2)
Rich Hirschmiller
Rich Hirschmiller
01 Dec, 2015
Kwwp up the GREAT work!
Rich Hirschmiller
Rich Hirschmiller
01 Dec, 2015
Kwwp up the GREAT work!
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