Anglo American Los Bronces Copper Mine Charged for Environmental Breaches

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Superintendency of the Environment (SMA) - the Chilean environmental regulatory authority has reportedly filed four charges for environmental breaches at the Anglo American’s Los Bronces Copper Mine. The charges could carry a fine of up to $17.17 million.

Among the four charges, one is classified as "very serious." It relates to a noncompliance that began with a punishment in 2014. The regulator discovered that Anglo American Sur had neglected to address acid drainage at the Esteriles Donoso tailings site at that time. The business stated that it had yet to put a final solution into place. But according to Anglo American, the tailings dump isn't being used at the moment.

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The following two charges are classified as "serious." They are related to the inability to regulate seepage in the Las Tortolas tailings dam and the failure to develop a mitigation scheme for corrosive waters collected downstream of the Esteriles deposit.

The fourth accusation, which falls under the category of "minor" violations, is for failing to report all relevant water and tailings data.

The business has 22 days to challenge the charges and 15 days to develop a mitigating plan.

Three charges were brought against the firm by the SMA earlier this month for infractions at its copper mine in El Soldado.