The commissioning of SIAM II adds an additional 56,000 m³/day of transport capacity, which are integrated into the 100,000 m³/day that Aguas Esperanza already operates through SIAM I since 2024.
With this, the system reaches a total capacity of more than 156,000 m³/day along a 144-kilometer infrastructure connecting the Port of Michilla with the mining operation, located 2,220 meters above sea level.
The project, promoted by shareholders Almar Water Solutions and Transelec, was completed on time and under the highest technical, environmental and safety standards. During its construction stage, the initiative generated approximately 2,600 jobs, fostering employment and development in the Antofagasta Region.
A Comprehensive Model for Sustainable Mining
This initiative is carried out under the BOOT (Build, Own, Operate and Transfer) model, which contemplates the operation and maintenance of this system for a concession period of 16 years, enabling Aguas Esperanza clients to optimize their financial capital and concentrate their resources on the development of their main activity.
“The first water delivery through SIAM II marks a transformative milestone for Aguas Esperanza and for mining in the Antofagasta Region. Completing this strategic infrastructure within the committed deadlines not only shows our technical and management capacity but also consolidates our commitment to providing a continuous, efficient and sustainable water solution to a world-class asset such as the Centinela Mining District,” noted Francisco Rodríguez, CEO of Aguas Esperanza.
Clean Energies and Green Finance
The SIAM II system pumps water from the coast, operating with renewable energies, reducing the pressure on continental desert aquifers and promoting the use of non-conventional resources. Additionally, its infrastructure was designed with the flexibility required to allow future expansions in the pumping capacity.
At a financial level, the project was structured under a Project Finance scheme for an amount close to US$ 1.5 billion (with approximately US$ 1.3 billion in bank financing). The initiative obtained the Green Finance certification, which proves its alignment with the most rigorous international standards in terms of sustainability.
At Aguas Esperanza, we appreciate the trust placed in us by Antofagasta Minerals, Minera Centinela and Minera Antucoya to support the operational and environmental development of their processes through efficient and long-term water management.
