Israel’s state-owned Mekorot Water Company has begun feasibility studies for a seawater desalination plant at the iron-ore mine MCC Minera Sierra Grande, located in Argentina’s Río Negro province. In Chile and Peru, meanwhile, gold and copper mines already have started desalinizing Pacific Ocean water to counter growing concern that the mining sector is consuming inordinate shares of the two nations’ supplies of fresh water. “Mines generate huge environmental impacts, mainly by taking water away from local farmers, tourism, and the ecosystem,” says Sara Larrain, director of the Chilean environmental group Chile Sustentable. “The only way for mines to better respond to this issue is to look for another way [to obtain water].” Mining accounts for the lion’s share of Peruvian and Chilean exports... [Log in to read more]