PSJ Cobre Mendocino’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), referred to as the Informe de Impacto Ambiental (IIA), is a comprehensive evaluation process designed to identify, assess, and manage the environmental and social impacts of the mining project throughout its lifecycle—construction, operation, and closure.

Purpose and Scope:
The EIA aims to ensure compliance with provincial and national regulations, as well as international standards such as those of the IFC. It incorporates both environmental and socio-economic dimensions, including effects on water, air, soil, biodiversity, local communities, health, and cultural heritage.

Process:

  • The EIA is developed by an independent team of national and international consultants (e.g., GT, SRK, Anddes), working in coordination with PSJ.
  • It includes updated technical data and integrates feedback from local communities and stakeholders through structured consultation mechanisms.
  • Key elements involve baseline studies, risk assessments, and the design of mitigation measures.

Consultation and Participation:
Community and stakeholder engagement is embedded throughout the process. This includes:

  • Early-stage consultations to gather local input.
  • Public disclosure of findings and proposed mitigation strategies.
  • A formal Public Hearing held at the project site to ensure transparency and allow community voices to be officially recorded.

Content Highlights:

  • Baseline environmental data from over 13 years of research.
  • Water management plans, including use of a closed-loop system and monitoring infrastructure.
  • Waste and tailings management, including use of thickened tailings technology and impermeabilization measures.
  • Monitoring programs for air, soil, water, and occupational health.
  • Risk assessments for acid rock drainage, groundwater, and emissions.

Adaptive Management:
The EIA is part of a broader Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS), which allows for updates and adjustments based on new data, stakeholder input, or changing environmental conditions.

In essence, the EIA is a living document that guides PSJ’s commitment to responsible, transparent, and sustainable mining, while ensuring public accountability and environmental protection.