Codelco - Salvador

Acid Plant Database June 15, 2025

Owner	Codelco - Salvador Division
Location	Potrerillos Chile Nearest City: El Salvador
Background	-
Website	www.codelco.cl
Plant	Potrerillos Smelter
Coordinates	26º 26' 9" S, 69º 28' 50" W
Type of Plant	Metallugical
Gas Source	Copper El Teniente Converter and Peirce-Smith Converter
Plant Capacity	1500 MTPD
SA/DA	SA
Status	Operating
Year Built	1999
Technology	Outotec (Lurgi Umwelt GmbH)
Contractor	-
Equipment	Blower Supplier: KKK Delivery Year: 1998 Model: SFO 14 Quantity: 2 Flow Rate: 66.2 m3/s Pressure Rise: 515 mbar Power: 3150 kW Drive: Electric Motor with VFD and inlet guide vanes
Remarks	Project Cost: US$100 million
Pictures
General	Operations of the Salvador Division are carried out in the Andes Mountain region at an altitude of 2,600 meters, 1,100 kilometers north of Santiago. This division manages the underground “Inca” mine and the open pit mines "Old Camp" and "Damiana Norte". Salvador exploits oxide and sulphide minerals, producing 80,615 metric tons of copper cathodes a year. It also produces 1,366 metric tons of molybdenum , anodic sludge and sulphuric acid.
References	-
News	June 13, 2025 - The foundry reported that, at the time of the incident, the chimney was stopped, so there was no environmental damage and no accidents.For reasons under investigation, around noon on Friday, June 13, the chimney of the Potrerillos Smelter Acid Plant collapsed.The state-owned company reported that " emergency protocols were immediately implemented for these cases, with no reports of personal injury or environmental incidents, as the plant was shut down."They also indicated that the accident has already been reported to authorities and that operations will remain suspended. November 13, 2024 - State-owned copper mining giant Codelco is under scrutiny by Chile's environmental regulator, the Superintendency of the Environment (SMA). The SMA has filed a serious charge against the company, alleging violations of environmental regulations at its Potrerillos copper smelter in the Atacama region. This is their second violation at least, with previously in 2015 their Talabre tailings dam at its Ministro Hales department gaining flak for seepage. For this, Codelco was fined up to 8 billion pesos ($8.71 million) back in 2017. The charges stem from an audit conducted by the SMA, which revealed that Codelco had failed to implement a proper monitoring system for sulfur dioxide emissions and other critical procedures. The regulator has classified this as a serious offense, the second highest level of infraction, which could result in severe penalties. If found guilty, Codelco could face a substantial fine of approximately 4 billion pesos ($4 million). Additionally, the company may have its environmental permit revoked, potentially leading to the closure of the facility. The SMA's statement emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "The audit concluded that the system has not been implemented. Based on all these antecedents, and after legal analysis, the Superintendency of the Environment charged non-compliance by the owner." Codelco has yet to provide an official response to the allegations. However, the company has 10 days to submit a detailed compliance plan outlining corrective measure. Furthermore, it has a 15-day window to present a formal defense against the charges. In a previous ruling, the SMA leveled two primary charges against Codelco. It is charged with negligence in tailings dam management. The company failed to implement a comprehensive contingency plan to protect underground water sources, particularly the Rio Loa aquifer. Additionally, Codelco was accused of improperly depositing tailings products since 2017. Codelco's case underscores the need for mining companies to prioritize environmental sustainability and adhere to rigorous environmental standards. As one of the world's largest copper producers, Codelco's actions have far-reaching implications for the industry and the global supply of copper, a critical metal for various technological applications. The charges stem from a 2015 complaint alleging seepage from the Talabre dam, which impacted the Rio Loa aquifer and the city of Calama. The SMA conducted investigations in 2015 and 2017 to assess the situation, and found the company guilty. Tailings dams, used to store mining waste, pose significant environmental risks if not managed properly. The potential for dam failures, water contamination, and soil erosion highlights the importance of stringent regulatory oversight and responsible mining practices. December 8, 2014 - Outotec to revamp and upgrade the Potrerillos copper smelter and sulfuric acid plant for Codelco in Chile. Outotec has been awarded a contract to revamp and upgrade the Potrerillos copper smelter and sulfuric acid plant of Codelco Salvador Division in northern Chile, in order to comply with the new Chilean environmental regulations that are due to come into force in 2018. The value of the order is approximately EUR 64 million, of which one third has been booked in Outotec's third quarter order intake and the rest in the fourth quarter 2014 order intake. Outotec's scope of delivery includes detailed engineering of the revamp, equipment supply and technical assistance during the construction, commissioning and start up of the smelter and acid plant. Equipment deliveries consist of, among other things, gas collecting hoods for the existing converters, revamp of the dry electrostatic and wet precipitators and gas ducts, a catalytic converter and an effluent treatment plant with additional water management plant equipment. "This is a good example of how Codelco and Outotec work together, combining their efforts to secure business sustainability and the necessary care of environment in a profitable way", said Kimmo Kontola, head of Outotec'sAmericas region. "Through advanced technology we can extend the life cycle of our customers' facilities. Specialized technical services are always part of a long-term business relationship with our customers, providing added value beyond equipment supply", added Robin Lindahl, head of Outotec's Metals, Energy & Water business area.

MTPD - Metric Tonne per Day STPD - Short Ton per Day
MTPA - Metric Tonne per Annum STPA - Short Ton per Annum
SA - Single Absorption
DA - Double Absorption

* Coordinates can be used to locate plant on Google Earth


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