- Write by:
-
Monday, August 3, 2020 - 8:01:22 PM
-
823 Visit
-
Print
Mining News Pro - Chilean regulators have rejected lithium producer SQM’s $25 million environmental compliance plan for the Atacama salt flat, requesting the miner to start again from scratch, a filing showed.
Chile’s Environmental Superintendent (SMA) approved SQM’s compliance plan early in 2019 after a multi-year investigation found the miner had overdrawn lithium-rich brine from the salt flat.
But the regulator said in a filing dated Thursday that it would begin the process anew to comply with a decision of a regional environmental court in December which invalidated SQM´s plan, calling it “insufficient.”
Both SQM and the regulator have since appealed that decision to Chile’s Supreme Court, but the lower tribunal said environmental regulators must comply with its order even as the Supreme Court ponders a potential reversal.
SQM confirmed to Reuters that SMA had re-opened the process. The company added that it had voluntarily agreed to continue with some protection measures in the now rejected plan while it awaits a decision from the higher court.
The process does not immediately affect SQM’s ability to operate on the flat but is likely to prove yet another headache for the miner, which is seeking to expand its operations at Atacama.
The region supplies about one-quarter of the global supply of lithium, a key ingredient in the batteries that power cellphones and electric vehicles.
Short Link:
https://www.miningnews.ir/En/News/578186
Australia will spend A$566 million ($373 million) over the coming decade to map out resource deposits with a focus on ...
Equinor on Wednesday said it has entered an agreement with Standard Lithium to acquire a 45% stake in lithium projects ...
China issued draft rules on Wednesday to regulate its lithium battery market, after rapid expansion in the sector hit ...
China’s Ganfeng Lithium Group Co. plans to pay about $408 million to buy out its partner in a lithium mine being ...
The secretary-general of the International Seabed Authority is set to run for a third term leading the United ...
The chairman of Chile’s state-run copper giant Codelco said on Monday that he expects to reach a lithium deal with ...
First Quantum Minerals is looking forward to talks with the new administration in Panama and to work together to find a ...
Albemarle, the world’s largest producer of lithium for electric vehicle batteries, could look at reducing capital ...
Albemarle, the world’s largest producer of lithium for electric vehicle batteries, on Wednesday missed first quarter ...
No comments have been posted yet ...