Chilean copper and iron ore producer Andes Iron is waiting on Chilean authorities to advance a pending iron ore project located in the La Higuera area, in the region of Coquimbo. The company planned on beginning construction on the mine in 2018, with iron ore production commencing within three or more years after construction is complete.
The $2.5 billion project, known as the Minera Dominga, was rejected earlier this year by Coquimbo’s environmental commission, which said the initiative lacked information about its influence area, as well as the impacts it could cause to the environment.
As previously reported by SteelOrbis, the company said at the time it would appeal the decision to a country’s minister council.
The minister council is yet to issue a decision on the company’s appeal. Andes Iron expects a decision by the minister council by early August, however, if the council fails to respond by then, the company said it could appeal to Chile’s environmental court.
When completed, the Minera Dominga project is expected to produce up to 12 million mt of iron ore.