BNamericas reports that “a group of Chilean lawmakers has submitted a draft bill to congress to change the country’s mining law to make the use of desalinated water obligatory in mining processes, the lower house said in a press release.” The bill will oblige all mining companies that have water rights of over 150 litres/s to incorporate desalinated water into their operations, in light of the fresh water scarcity in the mining regions. The proposers of this new requirement said the use of desalinated water in mining operations is not currently being regulated, and the purpose of the bill is to establish that legal framework.

A number of mining companies have introduced desalination plants into their operations, including Michilla, Escondida and El Abra, as well as the Radomiro Tomic and Chuquicamata divisions of Codelco.

The bill was submitted by a group from across the political spectrum, and will now be discussed in the lower house’s mining committee, the statement said.