The Ministry of Environment (MiAmbiente) released the fifth report from SGS, the firm in charge of the comprehensive audit of the copper mine in Donoso. In addition to office work, the SGS team has carried out field verifications of the reforestation plans and technical site visits to compare documentary information with the reality of the project. Of the 370 total commitments subject to review, the audit team has analyzed 147, which are currently undergoing comprehensive validation. The audit team also reviews additional information requested from the audited company, reinforcing traceability and ensuring a comprehensive, objective, and technically sound evaluation. According to the document, the technical evaluation process is 88.84% complete and is now entering its critical phase of validation and document closure. One of the most concerning findings in the report is the detection of medium and low-grade ore exposed to the elements without having been processed. MiAmbiente has indicated the need to proceed with the removal and processing of this material, incorporating technical measures in the Safe Preservation and Management Plan. Due to its metal content and the presence of sulfide minerals, there is a real risk of Acid Rock Drainage (ARD) formation upon contact with the area’s climatic conditions.
