Environmental Tribunal Cancels Collahuasi Mining Project Approval Over Indigenous Rights Violations
On May 14, the Second Environmental Tribunal annulled the approval of the US$ 3.2 billion Collahuasi project due to inadequate consideration of Indigenous communities. This decision mandates a complete reevaluation of the project's environmental impact, emphasizing the need for proper Indigenous consultations and long-term environmental assessments.

The Second Environmental Tribunal annulled the environmental qualification resolution of the Collahuasi project, valued at over US$ 3.2 billion, on May 14. The ruling demands a reevaluation of the project starting from the Consolidated Evaluation Report due to insufficient consideration of Indigenous interests during the initial approval process in December 2021.
The tribunal highlighted the lack of proper characterization of Indigenous associations and the failure to conduct necessary meetings as required by Article 86 of the SEIA Regulation. Additionally, concerns regarding the desalination plant at Punta Patache, including suction speed and long-term marine impacts, were also noted. This ruling sets a precedent for stricter adherence to Indigenous consultation and environmental impact modeling, which could influence future large-scale projects in the region.




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