Chilean regulator fines Antofagasta’s Centinela copper mine for non-compliance

Chile’s environmental regulator said on Friday it has fined Antofagasta Minerals about $775,000 for failing to comply with water management regulations at its Centinela copper mine.

Centinela, which includes Antofagasta’s Esperanza and El Tesoro projects, produced 223,800 metric tons of copper in 2024.

In a statement, the Superintendence of the Environment (SMA) said the company did not keep proper track of water resources. Specifically, it did not follow the monitoring rules outlined in the ‘El Tesoro’ project’s environmental impact study and an additional monitoring plan.

The regulator said this was evident because there were no records for an exploration well named LE-1, and they also failed to measure the water flow at the ‘La Cascada’ spring as often as required.

The investigation originated from inspections conducted between 2019 and 2020.

This violation was categorized as minor, and the fine must be paid within 10 business days of notification.

Antofagasta did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(By Fabian Cambero; Editing by Brendan O’Boyle)