Chile Fines Anglo American Sur for Mine Infractions

   By Robert Kozak 

Chile's Superintendent of the Environment Cristian Franz said Tuesday that the government agency has levied a fine of about $4.5 million against Anglo American Sur SA, a unit of Anglo American PLC (AAL.LN, AAUKY), for a series of infractions at one of its mines in the Valparaiso region.

The government agency said that 16 infractions took place at the Mina El Soldado copper mine, including failing to carry out reforestation, failing to obtain environmental permits and not complying with water-quality standards.

The agency carried out its investigation last year.

"In this regard, we want to report that Anglo American has been working on the implementation of an action plan to address the identified gaps even before the charges were made," the company said in a statement.

"Regarding the fine, we are evaluating the information contained in the report of the environmental authority to define our course of action," the company added.

Anglo American owns 50.1% of the El Soldado mine complex, with open-pit and underground mines, located 132 kilometers (82 miles) from the capital, Santiago.

Chile is the world's largest producer of copper.

   Write to Robert Kozak at [e-mail] 

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