Copper Recovery to Begin at World's Largest Copper Mine

Veolia Water Chile and Vapor Procesos, a Chilean solutions provider for copper recovery from mining operations, have secured a contract with Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, to recover copper from tailings pond water at Codelco's El Teniente mine, located 120 km (approximately 75 miles) south of Santiago de Chile.

Veolia Water Chile and Vapor Procesos established a joint venture called Veolia W Procesos (VWP) to provide metal recovery services to Chile's mining industry. As part of the new contract, VWP will design, build and begin operation of a new mining effluent processing facility in 2013 at El Teniente mine, the world's largest underground copper mine, under an initial five-year contract. The mine has been operating since 1905 and produces approximately 400,000 metric tons of copper annually.

The new facility will utilize various technologies to treat 3 million cu meters of water per year (approximately 792 million gal) and recover a total of approximately 1,680 tons of copper over the contract term, enhancing Codelco's total mine production.

The partnership between Veolia Water Chile and Vapor Procesos integrates engineering and operational teams from both companies to deliver a complete solution to Codelco. Several other projects are already being developed through this partnership.

The Chilean mining sector offers substantial opportunities for growth given the market needs associated with numerous tailings ponds and existing environmental liability.

Source: Veolia Water