IDE Technologies, a leader in water treatment solutions, has announced that it has been chosen by Teck Resources Ltd to design and supply the desalination plant for the Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 (QB2) copper mining project in Chile. QB2 is an extension of Teck’s existing Quebrada Blanca operation in Chile. The desalination plant will be located at the port site for the QB2 copper mine in the Tarapacá region and will be the second largest seawater desalination plant in Chile.

“IDE’s experience encompasses more than 400 desalination plants worldwide, with more than 20 successfully operating desalination plants in Chile. The new SWRO desalination plant for the QB2 project will produce high-quality water for use in the copper concentrator. IDE’s design of the QB2 desalination plant will be in accordance with the stringent environmental requirements and safety regulations in Chile.”

“IDE’s experience in South America and worldwide, and their commitment to high environmental standards were key factors in their selection for the QB2 project,” said Karl Hroza, Project Director, QB2, Teck.

IDE has extensive experience designing large-scale modular RO plants for the mining sector and is aware of the common practices and the challenges facing the mining industry. IDE’s modular solution simplifies the installation of the plant while reducing installation and startup time and cost. IDE will work closely with Teck to ensure that the QB2 desalination plant meets its availability and reliability goals.

“We’re excited to partner with Teck in providing high-quality water in an economical and sustainable manner, to support the expansion of this mine,” said Guy Sagie, CEO, IDE Projects. “Our modular SWRO desalination design is an excellent solution for remote locations due to the use of prefabricated modules with minimal maintenance requirements. Once completed, the QB2 desalination plant will deliver a consistent and reliable supply of water for daily mining operations.”