Chile’s environmental watchdog said on Friday it would charge BHP’s Escondida copper mine, the world’s largest, for water misuse since 2005.
The Superintendency of the Environment (SMA) said the operation has caused a decrease in the water table levels greater than 25 cm, which is the allowed limit in the Atacama desert, the world’s driest, where Escondida is located.
The regulator said the charge against BHP’s copper mine could result in the revocation of its environmental permit, closure or a fine.
More to come …