Codelco Awaiting Environmental Permits for $1.7 Billion Thermoelectric Plant to Supply Mining Divisions

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Chile's Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, recently submitted an environmental impact study for a $1.7 billion power plant to supply electricity to its four mining divisions: Codelco Northern, El Salvador, Andina and El Teniente, located in northern and central Chile.

The "Central Termoelectrica Energia Minera" project includes the construction of a thermoelectric power plant that would run on three 350-megawatt (MW) turbines and be connected to Chile's central grid.

The proposed plant would be located within 3 kilometers of Codelco's Ventanas division, in the communities of Puchuncavi and Quintero, Valparaiso province, in Region V of Chile. It would have a total capacity of 1,050 MW and a 30-year operational life. The facility would become operational in 2012, requiring about 1,500 laborers and taking around 42 months to construct.

The environmental decision is expected on November 27, 2008, and according to officials, Codelco will launch an international tender in the first quarter of 2009 for firms interested in ownership, engineering, construction and operations of the plant.

Codelco consumes about 15% of Chile's electrical power.

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