JULY 2014 • E&MJ; 47 www.e-mj.com
area where the cathode harvest process
takes place. The cathodes are stripped
using an automated process and stored
in a cathode warehouse until they are
transported to the port.
Velasco explained that, ÒThe con-
struction of the cathode plant took
around 14 months to be completed,
and it involved a cost of around $48
million. We are beginning the copper
processing phase, and we hope to be
able to process some 2,000 tons of ore
per day.Ó
A Commitment to Good
Mining Practices
Even though the region of Arica and
Parinacota does not have a mining tra-
dition, and is mindful of certain situa-
tions related to bad mining practices in
the past, Pampa Camarones has aimed
to demonstrate that it is able to develop
a mining project that is sustainable with
the environment and the community.
ÒWe have made a commitment with
the community of Camarones, so that
they donÕt see us as a mining company,
but as good neighbors. For that purpose,
we have made arrangements with the
municipality to support any efforts aimed
at rescuing the traces of the Chinchorro
culture, a culture of impressive histori-
cal, archeological and heritage value for
our country,Ó Velasco said.
Pampa Camarones has established
a transparent, open-door policy for the
authorities, the community, and even
those organizations that have shown
opposition to the project and to the over-
all mining development in the region. As
a part of this policy, the company has
invited these organizations to learn more
about the project by visiting the site to
see the measures that are being adopted
to generate as few environmental im-
pacts as possible. Also, these represen-
tatives have been invited to learn more
about the use of seawater in the opera-
tions and to understand the energy that
will feed the mine is going to come from
non-conventional renewable energy sup-
plied by a photovoltaic plant.
PA M PA C A M A R O N E S
Pumps deliver seawater to the mine site.
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