Antofagasta Minerals recently became the first mining company in the country to join the Chilean Hydrogen Association (H2 Chile), an organisation that promotes the development of green hydrogen. This fuel reduces greenhouse gas emissions generated in chemical manufacturing and the use of fossil fuels.

This is Antofagasta Minerals’ latest step towards producing copper in a more sustainable way and with fewer emissions. Zaldivar is already only using renewable energy and the other operations will all move to renewable energy by 2022.

“As a mining company focused on innovation, we are interested in participating in the development of the mining industry of the future. For this reason, we will potentially contribute to the development of hydrogen as consumers, advancing its use at our operations. Furthermore, to produce green energy solar energy is needed and this is why Chile, especially in the north, has the potential to be a production hub of the future,” said Ivan Arriagada, CEO of Antofagasta Minerals.

According to estimates by the Chilean energy industry, green hydrogen solutions could begin to be implemented as early as the end of this decade. “In the future, green hydrogen could power mining operations’ truck fleets and other equipment, replacing diesel. This would make a significant contribution to further reducing emissions, in addition to our use of energy from renewable sources,” said Rene Aguilar, Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Sustainability.

The H2 Chile trade association was founded in 2018. In addition to having 45 professional partners representing the private, public and academic sectors, 21 private companies from various industrial sectors are also members. These companies include Enex, Copec, Colbún, Enel, Engie and AES Gener.