The joint venture Novandino Litio , 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 leading 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 in Europe and Spain , major consumers of this strategic mineral.
With this authorization, the company will be able to formalize a process of change it has been implementing in recent years, focused on raising its standards of sustainability, transparency, and relationship with local communities . The plan, dubbed the “Extraction Reduction Plan in the Atacama Salt Flat,” seeks to reconcile the continued production of lithium 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 approved the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the project submitted by Novandino Litio. This environmental qualification resolution allows the company to consolidate a change in its operating model, where water use and brine extraction are subject to new, more restrictive limits than those authorized until now.
The project involves an investment of US$778.000 , primarily earmarked for implementing extraction reduction measures and strengthening the environmental monitoring system. This represents a relatively modest financial commitment compared to the overall volume of the lithium business, but it will have 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 international pressure for more responsible lithium production , including the demands of European markets, where automakers and battery manufacturers require supply chains with verified environmental criteria. In this context, moves like Novandino Litio's are relevant for industrial players in Spain and the EU seeking suppliers aligned with ESG standards.
Julio García, Environment Manager at Novandino Litio, emphasized that COEVA's decision "updates the operation in the Atacama Salt Flat in terms of sustainability, transparency and relationship with communities," and stressed that the company aspires to position itself as a benchmark within the lithium industry in terms of environmental performance.
Progressive reduction of brine and water extraction
The central focus of the plan is a phased reduction in brine extraction , reaching a maximum of 822 liters per second by 2028. This figure represents approximately half of the company's current authorized extraction rate. 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 exerted on the saline system.
In addition to the reduction in brine, the project sets a 50% reduction in total water extraction compared 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 limit of 120 liters per second has also been set for water extraction from 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 withdrawals in that specific area.
The company emphasizes that these changes in water resource extraction volumes do not imply altering the production process or the existing infrastructure . Operations will continue under the previously approved technical conditions, which reduces the timelines and costs associated with plant modifications, but necessitates more efficient and precise water resource management.
In practice, this means that the reduction in extractions must be offset by internal optimization, both in terms of brine management and the improvement of lithium recovery rates , following a trend that the European energy and automotive sectors are watching closely to ensure less water-intensive lithium supplies.
Enhanced environmental monitoring and early warning plans
Another key element of the project is the comprehensive update of the Environmental Monitoring Plan . The new monitoring framework encompasses both hydrogeological components (groundwater levels, aquifer behavior, brines) and biotic components (flora and fauna), incorporating additional indicators to obtain a more detailed picture of how ecosystems respond to changes in water extraction.
The planned improvements include an increase in the frequency of measurements and the introduction of new parameters, which will allow for faster detection of any significant deviations from reference values. These measures are complemented by the modernization of 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, promoting transparency towards authorities and nearby communities . In a context of frequent distrust towards mining in sensitive areas, the quality and accessibility of environmental information can make all the difference in the public perception of these types of projects.
From a European perspective, where environmental regulations are becoming increasingly demanding and supply chain traceability is gaining importance, the strengthening of these monitoring mechanisms aligns with the demands of 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 Salar Futuro project . Within this timeframe, maintaining a robust environmental database will be key to adaptively adjusting mining operations to the evolving ecosystem.
Protection of sensitive areas of the Atacama Salt Flat
The approved plan goes beyond simply reducing extraction volumes and increasing measurements; it also incorporates concrete protection measures for 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 surrounding the eastern edge of the salt flat—ecosystems that depend heavily on the delicate water balance of the basin.
In these areas, environmental controls will be strengthened through a combination of hydrological monitoring, vegetation observation, and wildlife monitoring , which should facilitate the early detection of impacts. The company's stated intention is to anticipate potential significant alterations and adjust operations as needed, rather than reacting only when damage is already evident.
In parallel, specific measures have been planned for the Camar ravine , where 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, these types of restoration and conservation actions are 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 value chain of electric mobility and energy storage is being promoted, having lithium suppliers that demonstrate enhanced environmental management at the source can become a compelling 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 extend beyond national borders due to the role of the Atacama Salt Flat as one of the epicenters of the global lithium supply . The European Union, including Spain, imports a significant portion of the lithium it needs for batteries from this region, so any changes in the extraction methods are closely monitored by companies and authorities.
The combination of reduced extraction, intensive monitoring, and conservation measures can help lithium produced under this scheme be perceived as a resource with a lower environmental impact. This aligns with European objectives to ensure 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 sustainable batteries and the responsible management of critical raw materials , the type of commitments made 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. The discussion about water use in mining is a common theme in many regions, so the lessons learned from this enhanced monitoring and reduction plan could also prove useful in other contexts.
With the approval of the Environmental Impact Study and the implementation of the Extraction Reduction Plan, Novandino Litio is taking a significant step towards a salt flat exploitation model with less water pressure and greater environmental control , something that aligns with the demands of regulators, local communities, and international clients. The challenge now will be to verify in practice the extent to which these measures can reconcile sustainable lithium production with the preservation of an ecosystem as unique as the Atacama, an aspect that will be closely monitored by both Chilean society and the European markets that depend on this resource.
