Suez to Add New 150-Megawatt Unit to Supply Mine in Northern Chile

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Suez Energy International, a subsidiary of Suez (Paris, France), recently announced the construction of a new unit to supply up to 150 megawatts (MW) to Antofagasta Minerals' Esperanza copper-gold-silver mine. The $1.5 billion project will produce 700,000 tons per year of concentrate on average containing 195,000 tons of copper, 229,000 ounces of gold and 1.56 million ounces of silver for 15 years beginning at the end of 2010.

According to Suez authorities, Suez Energy International will construct a second 150 MW generating unit at the Central Termoelectrica Andina (CTA) coal-fired power station currently under construction in the northern city of Mejillones on the northern part of the Peninsula de Mejillones.

The CTA project began construction in September 2007. Cobra (Madrid, Spain) was awarded the construction contract for both units while Tractebel Engineering, a Suez Energy Services unit, will provide technical support during the project's development. The first unit will supply the Codelco Norte Division, which comprises the Chuquicamata and Radomiro Tomic open pit operations. See related December 20, 2007, article - Codelco To Go Underground at Chuquicamata Copper Mine.

The new unit will be identical to the first one and will be capable of burning biomass in addition to other fuels. Construction of this new phase is expected to start shortly and will run three years.

Suez Energy International develops and operates energy projects in North America, South America, Asia and the Middle East. The company also sells power and gas to industrial, commercial and institutional customers while offering energy-related solutions and services to commercial customers.

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