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Chile files 4 ecological charges versus Anglo American mine

Chile's environmental regulator has actually submitted four charges versus the major Los Bronces copper mine, managed by Anglo American, for noncompliance with ecological permits, the agency said on Monday.

The charges might carry a fine of almost 17 billion pesos ($ 17.17 million), according to the Superintendency of the Environment, or SMA.

Los Bronces is among Chile's biggest copper mines with output of 255,000 metric lots in 2015, as well as a key project for Anglo American, which has been a takeover target of larger rival BHP.

Anglo American did not instantly react to a request for remark.

One charge was considered very serious, the greatest of three offense levels, for non-compliance going back to a 2014 sanction.

At the time, the SMA found that Anglo American Sur, the regional system that operates Los Bronces, failed to solved acid drain at the Esteriles Donoso tailings deposit, developed to hold mine waste.

The business has actually not executed a definitive service ... it constitutes a repetition of acts previously approved, the SMA said in a declaration.

The regulator likewise submitted two charges in the mid-level severe classification.

The miner has 15 days to provide a mitigation program, and 22 days to object to the charges.

(source: Reuters)