Mining and Industrial Uses

This chapter addresses the relationship between water resources and important economic activities in Chile, particularly mining and the manufacturing industry. This assessment involves aspects related to the importance of these industries in the Chilean economy, their water demand throughout the country, associated environmental impacts and, finally, the challenges faced by these sectors in terms of the sustainable use of water resources. To understand the interactions between the aforementioned economic activities and water, one must first consider the climate heterogeneity of Chile. The north of the country has a desert climate while the south is becoming increasingly rainy. On the other hand, mining activity takes place mainly in the area of the country with the greatest water scarcity, while the manufacturing industry is highly diversified throughout Chile. The direct options available to these sectors for achieving sustainable water management are centered on the use of more and better technologies related to recirculation of process water and the use of seawater.