Scientists Thrilled to Find a Massive Copper Deposit in Argentine Andes, but Many Environmental Concerns Remain
For a long time, researchers have been trying to figure out ways to move away from fossil fuels for energy needs. Many believe that minerals under the Earth's surface could help in this pursuit. Therefore, the recent update about copper deposits in northwest Argentina has pleasantly surprised researchers. However, many environmental activists want to be vigilant of its exploration in the Filo del Sol site, because of the impact it could have on the atmosphere and the people living in the area, according to Popular Mechanics.
The Filo del Sol site has always been the 'apple of the eye' for many researchers. Many have predicted it to be the home of some of the world's largest copper deposits due to its position. This estimate was finally proven to be correct by a survey undertaken by U.S.-based companies Lundin Mining and BHP. The survey went several steps ahead in the estimation and showcased that the quantity of copper deposits is five times more than previously expected. In total, the data indicates that the site has a massive 13 million tonnes of copper in its layers. Some experts think that the deposits could turn out to be even more when the actual mining commences.
The site is nestled along the Atacama Desert, which is on the eastern portion of the Ring of Fire, according to Investing News. The Ring of Fire is essentially a geological fault line surrounding the Pacific Ocean, which contains a humongous amount of copper and gold deposits. Hence, being on it helps Filo del Sol's case in being one of the biggest sources of copper in the world.
In recent years, copper has become an important resource in the process of energy transition, according to BNN Bloomberg. Such deposits could help experts in the flourishing of copper as a better alternative compared to fossil fuels. The companies declared that copper deposits at the Filo Del Sol site are the largest discovery of its kind in the last three decades.
Though the potential of the site is elating news for many industrialists, its mining is stressing out many activists, according to Popular Mechanics. The open pit mine from which copper and many other metals would be extracted is located around 16,400 feet above sea level. Such a high elevation could cause several health issues, like altitude sickness in workers. Activists further cite that the ecosystem in this region is already fragile because of previous mining activities. If the companies begin their pursuit of extracting the massive copper deposits, it would further hurt the environment.
Lundin, on its part, has committed to using renewable energy for their mining needs. However, some organizations have raised questions about the company's intentions. Dialogue Earth, an NGO, in its report, has accused Lundin of breaking Chile's Glacier Law. As per this law, no company can establish mines in the periglacial area of the country. This law was possibly enacted to protect the quality of water in the region, which feeds 70% of Chile's population. Furthermore, the water requirement of such an exhaustive mining operation is also concerning, with some experts expressing doubts if the country can afford to lose that much water.
The concerns have not stopped Lundin, which is continuing its operations. The drilling has already reached its potential for mineral exploration, which means that they are dealing with more resources than expected. The mining operations remain open at depth. During the survey, researchers also detected huge deposits of other minerals like gold and silver, which will also be explored by the company.