The joint venture Novantino LithiumThe consortium, comprised of Codelco and SQM, has received environmental approval for an ambitious plan to substantially reduce water and brine extraction in the Atacama Salt Flat, one of the world's main lithium-producing regions. This decision represents a key step in adapting lithium mining to increasingly stringent environmental requirements, which are also of paramount importance to the industry and regulators. Europe and Spain, major consumers of this strategic mineral.
With this authorization, the company will be able to formalize a process of change that it has been promoting in recent years, focused on raise their standards of sustainability, transparency and relationship with local communitiesThe plan, dubbed the "Plan for Reducing Extraction in the Atacama Salt Flat," seeks to reconcile the continuity of lithium production with less pressure on the area's water resources, a particularly sensitive issue in arid ecosystems like the Atacama Desert.
Unanimous approval by the environmental authority
The Environmental Assessment Commission (COEVA of Antofagasta) unanimously gave the green light to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the project presented by Novandino Litio. This environmental qualification resolution allows the company to consolidate a change of model, where the use of water and the extraction of brine are subject to new limits, more restrictive than those authorized until now.
The project involves an investment of 778.000 dólares estadounidensesThis amount is primarily earmarked for implementing extraction reduction measures and strengthening the environmental monitoring system. It represents a relatively modest financial effort compared to the overall volume of the lithium business, but it has a significant impact on the operation's water footprint.
The company emphasizes that this approval not only complies with Chilean regulations, but also responds to the international pressure for more responsible lithium production, including the demands of European markets, where car and battery manufacturers They demand supply chains with verified environmental criteria. In this context, moves like that of Novandino Litio are relevant for industrial players in Spain and the EU seeking suppliers aligned with ESG standards.
Julio GarcÃa, Environmental Manager at Novandino Lithium, emphasized that COEVA's decision "updates the operation in the Atacama Salt Flat in terms of sustainability, transparency, and community relations," and stressed that the company aspires to position itself in a benchmark position within the lithium industry in terms of environmental performance.
Progressive reduction of brine and water extraction
The central focus of the plan is a gradual decrease in brine extraction...reaching a maximum of 822 liters per second in 2028. This figure represents approximately half of what the company is currently authorized to use. Once this threshold is reached, the new limit will remain in place for the entire lifespan of the operation, providing certainty regarding the maximum pressure level that will be exerted on the saline system.
In addition to the cut in brine, the project sets a reduction in 50% of total water extraction with respect to the limits established in 2006. This reduction responds to concerns about the cumulative impact of decades of water withdrawals in an extremely dry environment, where any variation in the water balance can affect wetlands, vegetation and fauna adapted to very fragile conditions.
As part of this new policy, a ceiling is also defined 120 liters per second for water extraction from the wells located on the eastern edge of the salt flat. This new limit will come into effect once the relevant environmental approval procedures have been completed, reinforcing control over water extraction in that specific area.
The company emphasizes that these changes in the volumes of water resource exploitation do not imply altering the production process nor the infrastructure already installedThe operation will continue to function under the previously approved technical conditions, which reduces the time and costs associated with plant modifications, but requires more efficient and adjusted management of the water resource.
In practice, this means that the reduction in extractions must be offset by internal optimization, both in terms of brine management and in the improvement of the lithium recovery ratesThis follows a trend that the European energy and automotive sectors are closely watching to ensure less water-intensive lithium supplies.
Enhanced environmental monitoring and early warning plans
Another pillar of the project is the comprehensive update of the Environmental Monitoring PlanThe new monitoring scheme covers both hydrogeological components (groundwater levels, aquifer behavior, brines) and biotic components (flora and fauna), incorporating additional indicators to obtain a finer picture of how ecosystems respond to changes in extractions.
Among the planned improvements is a increase in the frequency of measurements and the introduction of new parameters, which will allow for faster detection of any relevant deviations from the reference values. These measures are complemented by the modernization of the Early Warning Plans (EWPs), which will be more stringent in defining activation thresholds and response protocols.
The company maintains that the systems for reviewing and communicating results will also be made more robust, favoring the transparency towards authorities and nearby communitiesIn a context of frequent distrust towards mining in sensitive areas, the quality and accessibility of environmental information can make a difference in the social perception of this type of project.
From a European perspective, where environmental regulations are becoming increasingly stringent and supply chain traceability As the strengthening of these monitoring mechanisms gains traction, it aligns with emerging regulations on critical raw materials and sustainable batteries, which directly affect manufacturers and importers in Spain and the European Union.
The company links this set of measures to its long-term strategy, which envisions sustainable lithium production projected until 2060, connected to the development of the so-called Salar Futuro projectIn that context, maintaining a solid environmental database will be key to adaptively adjusting exploitation to the evolution of the ecosystem.
Protection of sensitive areas of the Atacama Salt Flat
The approved plan is not limited to reducing extraction volumes and measuring more, but also incorporates concrete protection actions on particularly sensitive areas of the Atacama Salt Flat. Among the sectors that will receive priority attention are Soncor, Aguas de Quelana, Peine and the strip of vegetation that surrounds the eastern edge of the salt flat, ecosystems that depend to a large extent on the delicate water balance of the basin.
In these locations, environmental control will be strengthened through a combination of hydrological monitoring, vegetation observation, and wildlife monitoringThis should facilitate the early detection of impacts. The company's stated intention is to anticipate potential significant disruptions and adjust operations as needed, rather than reacting only when the damage is already evident.
In parallel, specific measures have been planned in the Camar ravinewhere a reforestation and monitoring plan for the carob tree, a key species in the area's ecological structure, will be implemented. This action is part of the environmental commitments undertaken by Novandino Litio and aims to offset some of the historical pressure exerted on the surrounding vegetation.
For international markets, especially those moving towards green taxonomies and sustainable financing criteria, this type of restoration and conservation actions This is becoming increasingly relevant when evaluating the overall performance of mining companies. European financial institutions and industrial buyers tend to place greater value on projects that combine impact reduction with active environmental protection measures.
In the case of Spain, where the promotion of electric mobility value chain And in energy storage, having lithium suppliers that demonstrate enhanced environmental management at the source can become a strong argument for both regulatory compliance and social acceptance of the final products.
Implications for the lithium supply chain in Europe
Although the project is located in Chile, its effects transcend national borders due to the role of Salar de Atacama as one of the epicenters of the global lithium supplyThe European Union, including Spain, imports a large part of the lithium it needs for batteries from this region, so any change in the way it is extracted is closely monitored by companies and authorities.
Combining extraction reductions, intensive monitoring and conservation measures This can help ensure that lithium produced under this scheme is perceived as a resource with a lower environmental impact. This aligns with European objectives to secure cleaner supply chains, both to meet decarbonization plans and to respond to pressure from consumers who are increasingly attentive to the origin of raw materials.
At a time when the EU is working on regulatory frameworks for the sustainable batteries and responsible management of critical raw materialsThe type of commitments undertaken by Novandino Litio could become a differentiating factor compared to other producers who have not yet updated their standards. For electric vehicle manufacturers, storage project developers, and renewable energy companies in Spain, having suppliers that can demonstrate good environmental practices facilitates compliance with regulatory requirements and voluntary certifications.
At the same time, the experience gained in the Atacama Salt Flat could serve as a reference for future lithium extraction projects, whether in Latin America, Africa, or even potential European developments. discussion on water use in mining It is a common denominator in many territories, so the lessons learned from this enhanced reduction and monitoring plan may also be useful in other contexts.
With the approval of the Environmental Impact Study and the implementation of the Extraction Reduction Plan, Novandino Litio takes a significant step towards a model for exploiting the salt flat with lower water pressure and greater environmental controlThis aligns with the demands of regulators, local communities, and international clients. The challenge now will be to determine in practice the extent to which these measures can reconcile sustainable lithium production with the preservation of a unique ecosystem like the Atacama Desert—an aspect that will be closely monitored by both Chilean society and the European markets that depend on this resource.
