CRAMSA

Neighbours of Baquedano and Calama learnt details of new regional water project

In new processes of Early Citizen Participation, CRAMSA presented the works and environmental measures of the initiative that will increase water availability in the region, gathering the opinions and concerns of the community.

With Open Houses, CRAMSA presented its ‘Maritime Waters’ project to the communities of Baquedano and Calama, explaining the benefits of the initiative for the territories, the details of its works and environmental measures.

During these workshops, which are the culmination of a long process of early engagement with the company, experts explained details of the project that will bring water to sectors such as the north of Antofagasta, the outskirts of Calama and the industrial neighbourhood of La Negra. In the case of Baquedano -comuna of Sierra Gorda-, they went in depth on the works to be carried out in the vicinity of the town, its impacts and mitigation measures.

CRAMSA’s Corporate Affairs Manager, Hugo Lecaros, said that during these PACA processes, the interest of the community in general in the initiative was ratified. “This project presents a concrete solution to the regional water shortage, and this is something that people and representatives of different associations value, because they understand that having a greater availability of water improves their living conditions and is a key factor for the development of the territories, industries and productive sectors”.

Sierra Gorda councillors Julio Echeverría and Ramón Vega also highlighted the importance of diversifying the regional water matrix, providing new opportunities for the well-being and development of local residents.

“The fact that companies are investing in strengthening the region’s water capacity is very important because nowadays the water basins are drying up, both because of global warming and the scarcity of rainfall due to climate change, so projects of this magnitude could have a positive impact on the region,” added Julio Echeverría.

The spokesperson for Ayllus Sin Fronteras in Calama, Eduardo Choque, highlighted the dialogue that the company has held with different organisations and communities. “That a company does not close itself off and demonstrates its willingness to listen and talk in order to generate a good project seems to me to be very positive, especially with regard to an issue as important as water,” he added, alluding to the modifications that have been incorporated into the project as a result of the dialogue that the company has held with different communities since its inception.

The president of the Calama Farmers’ Association, Vonn Castro, explained the opportunity that this initiative means for farmers in the area. “This is a very interesting project, as the mining companies will be able to use seawater and free up inland water for agriculture.

The Open Houses were held at the Baquedano multi-pitch and El Loa Park in Calama, in addition to the two days previously held at the Exponor exhibition centre in Antofagasta, all part of the early engagement process that the company carries out with the communities, gathering their concerns and observations in view of the entry of its Environmental Impact Study (EIS).

The ‘Aguas Marítimas’ project is promoted by CRAMSA Infraestructura SpA and seeks to increase water availability in the region, both in the urban radius of the cities of Antofagasta and Calama as well as for the industrial and agricultural sectors. To this end, the company will use seawater as a source, building a desalination plant in Caleta Bolfin.