Mining giants sued over water use
The Chilean government is suing mines operated by BHP, Albemarle and Antofagasta over alleged environmental damage caused in the northern Salar de Atacama salt flats.
The legal action focuses on BHP’s Escondida, Antofagasta and Barrick’s 50-50 Zaldívar operation and Albemarle’s lithium projects. It says the Monturaqui-Negrillar-Tilopozo aquifer, has suffered due to use of water in mining operations.
Court documents say, ‘The Monturaqui-Negrillar-Tilopozo aquifer has been exploited for decades by Zaldívar in the Negrillar sector; Albemarle in the Tilopozo area and Escondida in Monturaqui,’ court documents read.
The papers say the companies should have been aware that damage was being caused due to knowing the maximum limit of descent that the aquifer could have.
