Chile’s Codelco to close Ventanas smelter

Staff of Codelco’s Ventanas copper smelter participate in a rally in assist of their job positions, after authorities declared an environmental emergency within the area, pointing to the refinery as a attainable explanation for contamination together with different firms within the space, in Ventanas, Chile June 14, 2022. REUTERS/Rodrigo Garrido/File Photograph

SANTIAGO, June 17 (Reuters) – Chile’s state-owned Codelco, the world’s largest copper producer, agreed on Friday to start out the method of closing its troubled Ventanas smelter, the corporate mentioned.

Staff had threatened motion, together with a strike, if the board didn’t make investments to improve the power after an environmental incident sickened dozens of individuals.

The mining firm stopped the smelter for upkeep and operational changes ordered by the environmental regulator after dozens of individuals fell sick in its saturated industrial location on the east coast. learn extra

“Codelco’s board of administrators accepted by majority to advance within the preparation to stop the operation,” the corporate mentioned in an announcement, including that the related copper refinery wouldn’t be affected.

The corporate would assist employees safe jobs, providing choices equivalent to relocation, retraining or particular voluntary retirement plans to cope with the transition, it mentioned.

Ealier, a union supply, who sought anonymity due to the sensitivity of the problem, informed Reuters in regards to the choice earlier than it was made public.

Closing the smelter would require adjustments to a regulation that forces the corporate to smelt minerals from state-owned Enami, an organization for small and medium-scale miners, completely at Ventanas.

Leaders of the Federation of Copper Staff (FTC), which teams the companies’ unions, informed Reuters they have been analysing the board’s choice to evaluate their place.

Codelco’s gradual closure course of will start with non permanent stoppage as soon as the authorized adjustment is accepted, the agency, mentioned.

The unionized employees have insisted that Ventanas be fitted with some capsules that retain gases, at a price of $53 million, with the intention to proceed operations in compliance with atmosphere guidelines.

Nevertheless, Mining Minister Marcela Hernando informed congress this week {that a} full improve of the unit could possibly be as pricey as constructing a brand new smelter.

Reporting by Fabian Cambero; Writing by Alexander Villegas; Enhancing by William Mallard and Clarence Fernandez

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