The Chilean branch of not-for-profit organization (NGO) Oceana has filed a request to local environmental regulator, SEA, to annul a CAP Mineria’s iron ore port project, Oceana said on Monday in a statement.
According to a SEA’s document filing, the project will allow local iron ore company CAP Mineria to install a port facility to welcome vessels to load and unload iron ore products.
The project was estimated by CAP Mineria at $250 million. It would have a 13.5 million mt/year iron ore capacity. CAP Mineria filed the project in 2012. It was then approved by SEA in 2015.
Oceana said that despite having an environmental permit, CAP Mineria hasn’t executed the project in five years.
“Oceana requested (SEA) to cancel the resolution allowing the construction of Puerto Cruz Grande in Chungungo,” the statement said.
Oceana argued CAP Mineria failed to start the project within the five-year timeline granted by the regulator to commence works.