Codelco, Chile’s state-owned copper mining company, has submitted an environmental permit application for a $650 million project aimed at enhancing water sustainability at its Andina mine. The project involves redirecting water from the mine’s Ovejeria tailings to the concentrator plant, located approximately 70 kilometers away. This innovative approach will improve water efficiency and reduce the mine’s environmental impact. “This project will enhance the availability of water resources by implementing a sustainable alternative that addresses the region’s water scarcity situation. This allows us to continue reducing our environmental footprint and to confront the consequences of climate change,” explained Lindor Quiroga Bugueño, General Manager of Codelco Andina. As global demand for sustainable mining practices grows and water resources become increasingly scarce, Codelco is committed to operating responsibly. The Andina mine, located in central Chile, has been particularly affected by prolonged drought conditions. The project is expected to create up to 1,650 jobs and take approximately 36 months to complete.
Latin America, blessed with abundant wind resources, is poised to become a global leader in renewable energy. However, realizing this potential requires a comprehensive approach to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. A new project aims to guide policymakers and stakeholders across the region, offering insights and strategies rooted in local experiences and best practices. By overcoming barriers and fostering collaboration, Latin American countries can accelerate their transition to a sustainable energy future. Key recommendations of the project include streamlining permitting processes, prioritizing public interest and equitable benefit-sharing, and building trust through early and continuous engagement with local communities. By focusing on these areas, Latin American governments can create an enabling environment for wind energy development, attracting investment, and driving economic growth.
Japan has made a significant investment of $43 million in Ecuador’s Chachimbiro geothermal project, a key step towards diversifying the country’s energy sources and enhancing its energy independence. The Chachimbiro project, located in the Imbabura province, involves the development of a 50-MW geothermal power plant. This project is crucial for Ecuador’s transition to renewable energy and will contribute to the country’s efforts to reduce dependence on hydroelectric power. The investment was formalized at a ceremony in Quito attended by high-level officials from Ecuador and Japan. This collaboration underscores the importance of diversification within Ecuador’s energy portfolio. Key Benefits of the Chachimbiro Project: The Chachimbiro project will reduce Ecuador’s reliance on hydroelectric power, providing greater stability and consistency in electricity supply. The project will save Ecuador approximately $147.9 million in its first ten years of operation through reduced reliance on fossil fuels. The project supports Ecuador’s commitment to cutting greenhouse gas emissions and aligns with global climate goals. The project may lead to local employment opportunities and facilitate the transfer of advanced technologies. The Chachimbiro project is technically and financially supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), which ensures that the development adheres to international sustainability standards. JICA’s involvement includes…
The British Embassy in Lima is seeking proposals for a project that will bring together diverse voices from Peruvian civil society to discuss challenges to democratic governance and sustainable development. The project aims to foster consensus-building among local actors and stakeholders, develop a citizen-driven public agenda, and increase public trust in government and the electoral process.The project should adopt a decentralized approach, prioritizing local voices outside of Lima. It should also include inclusive dialogue with civil society, academia, public organizations, and youth groups. Successful bidders will be expected to create a space for dialogue, collate and systematize the shared agenda, and disseminate findings through multimedia communication products.The project should involve a wide range of stakeholders from all sectors, including private, public, academia, local organizations, NGOs, unions, and political leaders. Projects should propose a clear methodology and activities to achieve their objectives within the project duration and ensure sustainability beyond the project’s end.The project budget should not exceed £17,000. This project aligns with the UK’s commitment to strong democracies and public participation. By supporting a citizen-driven agenda, the project aims to strengthen democratic governance and sustainable development in Peru. Completed forms should be sent in standard document and spreadsheet formats in…
A UK delegation from the Biodiversity Fund for Landscape (BLF) is currently in Guatemala to assess the progress of its projects aimed at protecting biodiversity, reducing poverty, and addressing climate change. The delegation, led by Roger Heath, Senior Responsible Owner of the BLF and 30×30, and Samuel Leigh, Regional Advisor for Mesoamerica and Andes Amazon, will meet with government representatives, implementing partners, civil society, and participate in field visits to Peten and Chiquimula. Rachel Wilson, Team Leader of the BLF’s Fund Management team at Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC), will also join the delegation. On October 7, the delegation will meet with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the leader of the BLF consortium in Guatemala, to discuss project progress and upcoming activities. In Guatemala, the BLF is working in Peten and Chiquimula to implement projects aligned with Guatemalan environmental priorities until 2029. The UK delegation will also meet with representatives from the Ministry of Environment, the National Council of Protected Areas (CONAP), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to discuss Guatemala’s support for the BLF and explore future interventions to address environmental pressures, such as the loss of flora and fauna in the Mayan Jungle and the prevention of forest fires…
Nokia announced today it has been selected by the Brazilian Network Information Center (NIC.br), the world’s largest internet exchange point (IXP) operator, to significantly enhance Brazil’s internet infrastructure. Nokia’s cutting-edge IP routing solutions will directly support NIC.br’s mission of strengthening the interconnectedness and overall reliability of the Brazilian internet ecosystem. This collaboration comes at a critical juncture for Brazil, which anticipates a massive surge in internet data traffic. Projections suggest the number of users will reach 218.5 million, and data traffic will exceed 50 terabits per second (Tb/s) within the next five years. NIC.br plays a vital role in Brazil’s internet landscape. They oversee various initiatives, including registering and maintaining the .br domain and operating the Brazilian Internet Exchange (IX.br). IX.br facilitates data traffic exchange between over 3,500 autonomous systems (AS) encompassing internet service providers, content providers, hosting services, hyperscalers, and other network operators. Julio Sirota, IX.br Infrastructure Manager at NIC.br, said: “Nokia is a trusted and strategic partner for us, as they have proven their ability to deliver state-of-the-art network solutions that match our needs and expectations. By upgrading our network infrastructure with Nokia’s routing platforms, we will be able to provide faster and more reliable internet connectivity for…
Marimaca Copper Corp. is pleased to announce the appointment of Oscar Valenzuela as Vice President, Project and Alexis Muñoz as Vice President, Project Execution. These appointments strengthen Marimaca Copper’s leadership team as the company advances its development strategy. Mr. Valenzuela brings over 35 years of experience in executive development and operational leadership roles in the mining industry. Prior to joining Marimaca, he served as Director of Projects for Capstone Copper and held senior positions at Mantos Copper, Anglo American, and Glencore. Mr. Muñoz has over 29 years of experience in the construction and execution of large-scale mining projects. He most recently served as Construction and Commissioning Manager for Capstone’s Mantoverde Development Project. Prior to that, he held leadership roles at Collahuasi and BHP. Hayden Locke, President & CEO of Marimaca Copper, commented: “We are excited to welcome Oscar and Alexis to the Marimaca Team. Oscar brings an enormous amount of experience in executive operational leadership in Chile which will be critical during the next phase of our development strategy. Alexis brings deep execution experience across major, and relevant, mining projects, and he represents an important addition to our Owners Team as we move toward the development of the MOD. People…
Photo credit: © UNESCO / M. Etchegoyen Huawei announced the implementation stage of the Technology-enabled Open Schools for All Phase II project at Digital Learning Week, UNESCO’s flagship event on digital education. The initiative aims to support the digital transformation of education in Brazil, Egypt, and Thailand through innovative open school models. Building upon the successes of Phase I in Egypt, Ethiopia, and Ghana, Phase II will focus on establishing flexible, resilient, inclusive, and quality learning environments that blend offline and online learning. The project will leverage technology innovations and human capabilities to create a transformative educational experience. The announcement was made during the Technology-enabled Open Schools for All Forum hosted by UNESCO and Huawei. Distinguished guests included education ministers from Egypt, Ghana, and other participating countries, as well as representatives from UNESCO and Huawei. “In Egypt, we have embarked on a transformative journey in education rooted in the belief that technology is not just a tool but a catalyst for unlocking potential, nurturing creativity, and expanding opportunities for both educators and learners. The success of the first phase of this project is a testament to the dedication of our educators and partners,” said H. E. Mohamed Abdel-Latif, Minister of…
The Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) is undertaking significant improvements to the water supply and sanitation infrastructure in Kwakwani, benefiting over 7,000 residents. GWI CEO, Shaik Baksh, led a recent site assessment to evaluate the community’s water treatment plant, storage facilities, and sanitation network. The assessment highlighted the need for increased water supply and improved distribution, as well as the urgent need to address sanitation challenges. To enhance water distribution, GWI will work closely with the Kwakwani Utilities Incorporated (KUI) to gather essential data on production, storage, and consumption. This information will inform the development of an improvement plan to optimize water supply and quality. In the realm of sanitation, GWI’s CReW+ project is making substantial progress. The project includes clearing blockages in the aging sewerage network, repairing damaged chambers, constructing new septic tanks, and implementing tertiary treatment to improve wastewater quality. Additionally, the project will support the community’s secondary school by upgrading its waste-to-energy facility. GWI remains committed to providing reliable water and sanitation services to all Guyanese. The company is investing approximately GY$35 million in Kwakwani to improve the lives of its residents.
Ero Copper Corp. (TSX: ERO, NYSE: ERO) (“Ero” or the “Company”) has announced a significant milestone at its Tucumã Project with the production of saleable copper concentrate, exceeding initial production targets. This achievement follows the successful commissioning of the milling and flotation operations in Q2 2024. The Company has made rapid progress in bringing the Tucumã Project online, with key milestones achieved throughout the year, including: Ero is now focused on completing remaining surface installations and ramping up operations to achieve commercial production levels by the end of Q3 2024. This involves reaching 80% of design mill capacity and 80% of design recovery rates. “Producing our first saleable copper concentrate at the Tucumã Project and successfully completing the first 24-hour shift of continuous mining and milling operations are important milestones as we begin our ramp-up towards commercial production,” said David Strang, Chief Executive Officer. “We are rapidly progressing towards an important inflection point for our consolidated copper production and cash flows. It is an exciting time for the Company and with copper prices performing well year-to-date, the timing of the completion and ramp-up of Tucumã could not be better. “I would like to extend my congratulations to our entire team,…
