Battery Mineral Resources Secures Unanimous Approval of Environmental Impact Statement for Punitaqui Project – Newsfile

Environmental Impact Approval for Punitaqui Project Aligns with Sustainable Development Goals

A report on the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) approval for the extension of the Los Mantos Copper Plant, operated by Battery Mineral Resources Corp.’s (BMR) Chilean subsidiary, Minera BMR SpA. The approval, granted on July 28, 2025, highlights a significant commitment to regional sustainable development, directly supporting several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Advancing Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8)

The unanimous approval of the EIS secures the operational continuity of the Punitaqui Project for an additional ten-year period. This extension is critical for local economic stability and growth, directly contributing to SDG 8.

• Job Preservation and Creation: The project secures the employment of the current workforce of approximately 300 individuals and facilitates the creation of hundreds of additional direct and indirect jobs within the Punitaqui and Ovalle communities.
• Long-Term Economic Stability: By extending the mine’s life, the project ensures a sustained contribution to the local economy, fostering shared value and regional prosperity.

Commitment to Environmental Stewardship and Innovation (SDG 6, SDG 9, SDG 12, SDG 15)

The project incorporates advanced environmental standards and technological upgrades, demonstrating a proactive approach to responsible resource management and innovation.

Infrastructure and Production Innovation (SDG 9 & SDG 12)

A key component of the approved plan is the construction of a new filtered tailings deposit. This represents a significant infrastructural upgrade aligned with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and promotes sustainable practices under SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

1. Transition to Dry-Stack Tailings: The project will move from conventional tailings management to a best-in-class dry-stack tailings system.
2. Enhanced Safety and Stability: Filtered tailings significantly reduce risks associated with traditional tailings dams, creating more resilient and sustainable infrastructure.

Water and Land Management (SDG 6 & SDG 15)

The operational changes reflect a strong commitment to protecting vital natural resources, in line with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

• Water Conservation: The dry-stack tailings method dramatically reduces water consumption compared to conventional methods, a critical measure in water-scarce regions and a direct contribution to SDG 6.
• Regulatory Compliance: The project successfully addressed all observations from key environmental agencies, including the General Directorate of Water (DGA) and the National Forest Corporation (CONAF), ensuring compliance with regulations protecting water resources and terrestrial ecosystems.

Fostering Partnerships for Sustainable Development (SDG 17)

The successful approval process underscores BMR’s dedication to collaborative engagement, a core principle of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

• Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: The unanimous approval was achieved through constructive dialogue and engagement with a wide range of stakeholders, including the Environmental Assessment Service (SEA), the Ministry of the Environment, sectorial SEREMIs, and local communities.
• Transparency and Shared Value: BMR reaffirms its commitment to transparency, ongoing dialogue, and acting as a partner in the sustainable development of the Coquimbo Region.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • The article explicitly mentions that the project’s approval “supports the preservation and creation of hundreds of direct and indirect jobs in the communities of Punitaqui and Ovalle.” It also notes plans to “expand its workforce, which is currently approximately 300 employees.” This directly contributes to promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and productive employment.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

   • The article discusses the extension of a mining operation, which is a form of industrial infrastructure. The implementation of “best-in-class environmental standards” and a “new filtered tailings deposit” represents an upgrade of industrial processes to make them more sustainable. Furthermore, the company’s mission to supply copper for the “global mega-trend of electrification” supports the development of sustainable infrastructure on a broader scale.

3. SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

   • The company’s stated commitment to “responsible sustainable mining” and the implementation of environmentally superior technologies like “dry-stack tailings” instead of conventional methods demonstrate a focus on sustainable management of natural resources and the environmentally sound management of waste, which are core principles of this SDG.

4. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • The project required approval from the “General Directorate of Water (DGA),” indicating a direct connection to water resource management. The shift to “dry-stack tailings” is a significant technological change that reduces water consumption and minimizes the risk of water contamination from tailings dam failures, thereby protecting local water resources.

5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • The article highlights a successful multi-stakeholder partnership. The company engaged with numerous government bodies (“Environmental Assessment Service (SEA), Ministry of the Environment, General Directorate of Water (DGA), CONAF, and sectorial SEREMIs”) and local communities to achieve “unanimous approval.” This process, which included “enhanced mitigation, and community participation measures,” exemplifies the collaborative approach needed for sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all.

   • The article’s focus on the “preservation and creation of hundreds of direct and indirect jobs” and the plan to “expand its workforce” directly aligns with this target of promoting employment.

2. Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable.

   • The project involves retrofitting an existing mining operation with “best-in-class environmental standards,” specifically by “moving from conventional to dry-stack tailings.” This is a clear example of adopting cleaner and environmentally sound technologies in an industrial process.

3. Target 12.2: Achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

   • The entire project, focused on extending the life of a copper mine under “responsible sustainable mining” principles, relates to this target. The approval of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is a formal mechanism to ensure sustainable management.

4. Target 12.4: Achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes.

   • The construction of a “new filtered tailings deposit” and the specific mention of implementing “dry-stack tailings” is a direct action to ensure the environmentally sound management of mining waste throughout its life cycle, reducing risks to the environment.

5. Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution.

   • By moving to dry-stack tailings, the project minimizes the risk of water contamination associated with conventional tailings dams, thus contributing to the reduction of pollution and the release of hazardous materials into water bodies.

6. Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships.

   • The process described in the article, where the company (“private”) engaged with multiple government authorities (“public”) and communities (“civil society”) to gain “unanimous approval” for the project, is a direct application of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Number of jobs created and sustained.

   • The article provides a quantifiable basis for this indicator by stating the project will preserve and create “hundreds of direct and indirect jobs” and expand the current workforce of “approximately 300 employees.” This can be used to measure progress towards Target 8.5.

2. Adoption of environmentally sound technologies.

   • The specific shift “from conventional to dry-stack tailings” is a clear, qualitative indicator of progress. The completion of the “new filtered tailings deposit” serves as a milestone for measuring the implementation of cleaner technologies under Targets 9.4 and 12.4.

3. Successful completion of Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) approval process.

   • The “unanimous approval of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)” is a key indicator. It signifies that the project’s plans for environmental management and community engagement meet the standards set by multiple regulatory bodies, reflecting progress towards Targets 12.2 and 17.17.

4. Implementation of community participation measures.

   • The article mentions that the new filing “includes enhanced mitigation, and community participation measures.” The existence and execution of these measures serve as an indicator of an effective partnership with the local community, relevant to Target 17.17.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: newsfilecorp.com