Minera Isla Riesco’s Mina Invierno coal project will substantially reduce Chile’s dependence on international markets by replacing close to 30% of current coal imports with local production, according to BNamericas. Chile currently imports 94% of coal used in power generation. Construction costs for Mina Invierno, located in southern region XII, are estimated at $180 million for an open-pit operation to produce 6 million metric tons per year (mtpy) of sub-bituminous coal over a 12-year mine life, based on current reserves of 73 million mt.

The project is currently in the evaluation process at local environmental regulator Conama. The EIS was submitted in January and is expected to be approved before year-end. Minera Isla Riesco is a joint venture between fuel distributor Copec and shipping company Ultramar.

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