Chile’s environmental evaluation service SEA received $720 million worth of mining projects for evaluation in December, according to information compiled by BNamericas. “A total of 54 projects were submitted for evaluation last month. The environmental system was flooded with new projects in the run-up to December 24, when new permits rules took effect,” BNamericas said. “Seven of the projects failed to meet the necessary paperwork requirements, while a single project was removed from the evaluation process by its controller. The other 46 projects continue to be under evaluation.

“The largest was the $120 million non-metallic project presented by local iodine producer Algorta Norte.” The project involves the expansion of its facilities in northern region II where it extracts nitrate salts.

“Next up was the $85 million upgrade of the Puquios open-pit copper project submitted by mining company Cuprum Resources. The project entails changes in the location and design of the heap leaching SX-EW processing plant, among other modifications.

“Of the other projects submitted in December, three involve planned investment of over $50 million and eight with planned investment between $10 million and $50 million. The remaining 41 projects have an average investment of $1.7 million.