Initiatives
Initiatives to Maximize Water Efficiency
Los Bronces Copper Mine
Since copper mining requires a large amount of water, each mine is working to introduce technologies to maximize the water efficiency in the operational processes in order to reduce new water intake. At Los Bronces Copper Mine (located in Chile's Metropolitan Region), in which MC invests together with Anglo American plc (AA), approximately 80% of the water utilized in the production processes is recycled. Efforts are also being made to increase water recycling from tailings and utilize industrial wastewater and treated sewage water procured from third parties. In addition, a contract has recently been signed for the procurement of desalinated water from 2026 to ensure stable and long-term water supply for operations and provide clean water to the local communities of approximately 35,000 residents.
Initiatives to Reduce Water Consumption
Escondida Copper Mine
The Escondida copper mine, one of MC’s major investments, is located in the desert region of northern Chile and boasts the largest production volume in the world. At the mine site, water consumption is reduced in the ore processing phase through water-saving and reuse, among other means. Moreover, an investment, approximately US$4 billion to date, has been made in the construction of the desalination plant with one of the largest processing and pumping capacities in the world; the desalination plant has eliminated reliance on subterranean aquifers covering all the project’s water requirements since the end of 2019. With water shortages due to drought becoming an issue for Chile in recent years, we will continue to promote environmental protection and coexistence with local communities.
Los Pelambres Copper Mine
The Los Pelambres copper mine, one of MC’s investments, is a large-scale copper mine located in the mountainous region of central Chile. Water preservation is promoted at the mine through various measures such as the reduction of water usage, recycling of water in operational processes, and the utilization of a desalination plant which commenced operations at the site in 2023. Furthermore, a plan to double the plant's treatment capacity from the current 400l/s level to 800l/s by 2027 is currently ongoing, thereby aiming to further reduce reliance on freshwater extraction. As water scarcity and drought becomes an increasingly critical issue for Chile, we will continue to focus on environmental protection measures and coexistence with local communities while striving to achieve a stable supply of resources from the site by securing water for its operations.
Toyo Reizo Co., Ltd.
Toyo Reizo Co., Ltd., one of MC’s consolidated subsidiaries, has declared in its environmental policy that it will reduce the amount of water resources to be used in its production processes and will take preventative measures against the discharge of pollutants. It has also set targets to reduce water consumption on both a single fiscal year and mid-term basis, and engages in reduction activities. In particular, MC aims to reduce its environmental impact by saving water. To achieve this, it calculates consumption and discharge amounts in plants and related facilities with high water consumption for monthly assessment and review. In addition to these efforts to reduce water consumption, MC has also set targets for the reduction of CO2 and waste discharge and for the implementation rate of food waste recycling, etc. while seeking continual improvements though a PDCA cycle.
Reference:
- Environmental report (seehere
for targets, data and initiatives)
Olam
MC affiliate Olam Group Limited (Olam) has endorsed the UN CEO Water Mandate (a United Nations Global Compact initiative that supports corporate involvement in activities relating to water, sanitation, and the SDGs) and is working to develop policies designed to mitigate, understand, and manage water risks.
Examples of specific efforts by Olam to reduce its water consumption include the establishment, in 2022, of usage reduction targets for 2030 at its almond orchards in Australia and the U.S., as well as a commitment to improve water use efficiency throughout each orchards by monitoring soil and plant moisture , and to remediate 75% of wet and saline areas . Additionally, at the soluble coffee facility in Vietnam, Olam has installed a reverse osmosis system to recover and reuse the rejected water during processing, continuously investing in measures and equipment to improve water efficiency. Regarding water quality management, Olam has maintained strict control over water quality at the palm plantations in Gabon since 2023, carrying out regular inspections by third parties to prevent cross-contamination in nearby rivers.
In 2022, Olam partnered with the USDA Forest Service, the National Forest Foundation, and Unilever to focus on improving the resilience of forested watershed and conservation of water within the Pine Flats watershed in California and reduce the risk of severe wildfires. This project is expected to replenish approximately 2.5 billion liters of water and reduce CO2 emissions by 80,000 tons annually.
Initiatives in Water-Stressed Regions
Desalination Projects
MC is delivering seawater desalination projects in drought regions of the world such as the Atacama Desert in Chile and the State of Qatar in the Middle East which contribute to the alleviation of water stress in those regions. Northern Chile is facing serious depletion of groundwater, and alternative water sources are required in consideration of local communities and the agricultural industry. MC provides a stable supply of desalted water to mines and farmlands in the region. In Qatar, MC has been delivering an Independent Water and Power Project that supplies 2,520MW of electricity and 900,000 tons per day of water (which comprises 35% of Qatar’s desalination capacity) to Qatar General Electricity & Water Corporation for over 25 years. MC is delivering the project in cooperation with the Qatari government to fulfill growing demand for water associated with economic development and population growth and to contribute to the long-term development of the country.
Umm Al Houl Power, Qatar Providing Solutions through Our Business Activities
As living standards improve, certain regions are experiencing increasingly severe water shortages. Water utilities, which provide a stable supply of sanitary water, have become indispensable for the survival of humanity and the viability of cities. MC is contributing to the resolution of various challenges pertaining to water resources by developing water-related infrastructure and addressing local water issues.
Swing Corporation
MC affiliate Swing Corporation is engaged in the domestic waterworks business, including the design and construction of water and sewage facilities and the provision of operation and maintenance services. Specifically, MC is engaged in phosphorus recovery from sewage sludge for fertilizer use at the Higashinada Sewage Treatment Plant in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. It promotes resource recovery through local production for local consumption and recycling (in FY2020, the project won the innovation category in a wastewater recycling award sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism). Swing Corporation developed a private finance initiative (PFI) project in the city of Kurobe, Toyama Prefecture to establish a facility for the beneficial reuse of sewage biomass and has assumed responsibility for everything from financing to design, construction, maintenance and operation. The sewage sludge is mixed with coffee residue to extract biogas, which is used for power generation and sludge drying, and the dried sludge can be used effectively as an alternative to coal and as a raw material for fertilizer (in FY2011, the project won the sustainability category in a wastewater recycling award sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism).
Kurobe City Sewerage Biomass Energy Reuse Facility MC has built up experience in the water business in the UK, Japan, Australia, the Philippines, Chile and other countries in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. By drawing on private-sector funds and technology, we will continue to improve efficiency and offer higher-quality water services. We will also provide water-related solutions optimized for each different region to address water shortages and underdevelopment of water infrastructure with the aim of improving people’s living conditions and protecting the local environment.