Water‐energy nexus: seawater supply for mining operations in the Second Region of Chile Bulovic, Nevenka*1, Keir, Greg1, Maya, Manuel 1,2, & McIntyre, Neil1 1
Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry, Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, Australia 2
Atacama Water & Technology, Chile *[email protected] [this is the corresponding author] The Second Region of Chile is a major international copper mining hub and is of foremost importance to the economic development of the region and Chile. Water resources are critical to mining operations, with water utilised for mineral processing, dust suppression and other purposes. However, natural water scarcity, increases in production, competition between users, and legislative changes pose a challenge to obtaining a steady water supply. Some mines have resorted to seawater as an inexhaustible water resource for operations, although this comes at increased risk of higher energy needs and financial costs. This study examines the feasibility of energy efficient regional supply of seawater for mining operations in the Second Region of Chile. A regional mapping approach was implemented to determine energy‐optimal pipe networks for the distribution of seawater for various seawater intake‐infrastructure scenarios. The associated energy and financial (capital and operational) costs were evaluated. The preliminary results indicate there is a complex interplay between energy use and financial costs, with higher energy efficiency not necessarily resulting in economic savings. At a regional scale, shared pipe network and desalination infrastructure for seawater supply between different mining companies is also necessary for lower energy usage and decreased financial costs. This identifies a future need, challenge, and opportunity for mining companies to employ cooperative approaches to tackling regional water resource issues. This preliminary approach to regional seawater supply planning also has potential as a risk assessment and analysis tool.