Aclara seeks environmental approval of rare earths project in Chile

Aclara Resources presented a new environmental impact study (EIS) for the US$130 million Penco rare earths project in Biobío region.

In the new EIS, the useful life is reduced from 17 to 9 years and protection measures for the local flora are included. 

An EIS submitted last year was rejected, as environmental review agency SEA warned of possible impacts on the naranjillo native tree that is growing around the mining territory owned by the company's local unit.

Aclara is listed on the Toronto stock exchange.

Penco is planned to produce 1,700t/y of dry rare earth concentrate starting in 2026, operating a 320t/h wet clay processing plant, according to the EIS filed on Monday.

Subsidiary REE Uno would have to build the access roads to the extraction areas, the disposal area for ballast and washed clays, the topsoil collection area, the plant, stockpile and the power line.

In addition, it will carry out temporary works to facilitate mine site construction and prepare the closure phase starting in 2034, involving a process of restoring the territory with native species.

Aclara, a company linked to Hochschild Mining, committed to implement a revegetation plan and distribute 8,000 naranjillo trees and other native species to social organizations in the country and offer training on care of that species, the company said in a statement.

The current EIS considers use of recycled water only and the generation of more than 2,000 jobs.

“Today we enter the system with a growing favorability by the residents of Penco, compared to the previous process, who believe in the job opportunities that this project will generate,” Aclara Chile head Nelson Donoso said in a statement.

Penco is developed together with CAP, which became a strategic partner in March. 

Unlike traditional rock mining, the extractive process will not generate liquid industrial waste or tailings and does not involve explosives, crushing or grinding.

The minerals contained in the clays are essential for the advancement of electromobility and clean energy.

A resolution for the EIS is expected to be published in about 18 months, Aclara said.