Chile's parched mines race for an increasingly scarce commodity: water


  • World
  • Friday, 06 May 2022

FILE PHOTO: Reuters journalist Natalia Ramos uses her mobile phone to takes pictures of a yard with native plants better equipped to grow in a drier environment, while Chile is suffering its worst drought in decades, in a high-income neighborhood of Santiago, April 14, 2022. Picture taken April 14, 2022. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

SANTIAGO (Reuters) - A record-breaking drought in Chile is impacting mining operations and forcing companies to escalate their search for more sources of water, from water treatment and pricey desalination plants to even encouraging workers to use less water in the shower.

The Andean nation, the world's no. 1 copper producer and the no. 2 producer of battery metal lithium, is battling a historic drought that is now entering its 13th year. That has led capital Santiago to roll out unprecedented plans to ration water for residents.

Limited time offer:
Just RM5 per month.

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month
RM5/month

Billed as RM5/month for the 1st 6 months then RM13.90 thereafters.

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!
   

Next In World

'Lucky to have him': Australia mourns refugee guard killed in Bondi attack
Trump ready to renew conservative alliance with Hungary's Orban
Kenya Airways accuses Congo of harassment over detained staff
Inside Big Tech’s underground race to buy AI training data
Ireland says UK's Rwanda policy drives migrants over its border
Somalia detains U.S.-trained commandos over theft of rations
A Chinese firm is America’s favourite drone maker – except in Washington
Smaller towns in South Korea bear brunt of doctors’ shortage
Spain to send Patriot missiles to Ukraine, El Pais reports
Swiss parliamentary committee backs $5.5 billion aid plan for Ukraine

Others Also Read