Skip to content
Brand AI

Minera Escondida

Controversies

Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.

Back to profile3 entries

  1. 2022

    Groundwater and Indigenous community litigation

    Atacameño Indigenous parties brought proceedings concerning alleged damage to the Monturaqui-Negrillar-Tilopozo aquifer and connected ecosystems. Minera Escondida disputed the timing and attribution of alleged groundwater effects. The matter concluded through a 2024 conciliation agreement involving compensation and environmental measures.

    Source

  2. 2022

    Chile fines Escondida mine over water-extraction damage

    Fine or penalty

    Chile's environmental regulator fined Escondida mine $8.2 million for damage caused by water extraction in the Salar de Atacama. The regulator said the mine's owner caused irreparable environmental damage; BHP denied violating its environmental permit and said it was evaluating further action.

    Company response

    • Denial — BHP

      BHP denied non-compliance with its environmental permit

    • Investigation — BHP

      said it is evaluating further action

    Source excerpt

    • the owner caused irreparable environmental damage in Las Vegas de Tilopozo
    • Chile’s environmental regulator said on Thursday it had fined Escondida mine, controlled by company BHP, $8.2 million for damage caused by water extraction in the Salar de Atacama salt flat.
    • BHP denied non-compliance with its environmental permit and said it is evaluating further action.
    Source

  3. 2006

    Labour dispute and production stoppage

    Workers struck for 25 days after negotiations over wages, bonuses and benefits failed to produce an agreement. Production fell sharply, and a road blockade prompted the company to declare force majeure. The dispute ended with a wage increase, a bonus and additional benefits.

    Source