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Chile regulator charges Anglo American mine over environmental violations

Chile's ecological regulator has submitted 3 charges versus miner Anglo American's. regional unit over alleged infractions at its El Soldado copper mine. in the Valparaiso area.

The Superintendency of the Environment (SMA) labeled the. charges as major, the second of three levels of offenses,. and stated Anglo American Sur, the local arm of Anglo American,. dealt with the possible cancellation of its ecological. permit, closure or a fine of more than 12 billion pesos ($ 12.40. million) if it did not attend to the problems.

Anglo American informed Reuters that it has actually been dealing with. problems connected to SMA's findings and has actually informed the agency. about its efforts. It added that it has asked for a meeting with. environmental authorities to determine how to proceed.

We are dedicated to working constantly with the authority. to abide by all our ecological dedications, the company. said in a statement Monday.

El Soldado is the tiniest copper mine managed by Anglo. American in Chile, with 35,700 metric lots produced this year. in between January and September.

According to the SMA, El Soldado has water problems due to a. drain system that is not completely constructed, and Anglo American. did not notify the firm about related issues or establish a. maintenance strategy.

The SMA likewise discovered that Anglo American stopped working to effectively. mark and monitor a regional population of 3,867 frogs from the. Sapo rulo species, native to Chile, that are classified as. vulnerable.

The site was examined by authorities from the SMA, in addition to. Chile's water, geology and fishing firms.

As a result ... the Superintendency had the ability to validate. several offenses of the job's environmental certification. resolution, the SMA said in a declaration.

Anglo American has 15 days to send a compliance plan, and. 22 days to present a defense.

(source: Reuters)