Environmental Impact Study and Modifications

The Las Bambas EIA was approved in March 2011, through Directorate Resolution (RD) No. 073-2011-MEM / AAM, which considered three areas:

  • Las Bambas area: mine, concentrator plant and auxiliary components.
  • Mine pipeline area.
  • Tintaya area: minor Molybdenum plant, final filter plant and concentrate warehouse.
The EIA was approved after an exhaustive Public Participation Process (PPC) that included, among others, participatory monitoring, 20 public participation workshops and a public hearing in which more than 5,000 people participated (July 15, 2010), giving full compliance with the provisions of Supreme Decree No. 028-2008-EM and Ministerial Resolution No. 304-2008-EM.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STUDY

WorkshopsLocationsAttendance
First round of workshops (before Environmental Impact Study elaboration)​Challhuahuacho
Huancuire
Colquemarca
Haquira
Velille Coporaque​
316
1,446
Second round of workshops (during Environmental Impact Study elaboration)Challhuahuacho
Huancuire
Colquemarca
Haquira
Velille Coporaque​
533
1,672
Third round of workshops (during Environmental Impact Study approval process)Challhuahuacho
Huancuire
Colquemarca
Haquira
Velille Coporaque​
1,500
2,255
Public audienceChallhuahuacho5,310
Total attendance 13,032

EIA MODIFICATIONS:

  • On 11 July 2013, a Supporting Technical Report (ITS) was presented, which sustained that the impacts related to the relocation of the molybdenum and filtration plants and the concentrate warehouse were not significant.
  • All modifications to the EIA were carried out with strict respect for regulatory procedures and involved communication with the municipalities and other corresponding sector entities.
  • The ITS was approved by Directorial Resolution No. 319-2013-MEM-AAM on 26 August 2013. The Peruvian Ministry of Energy and Mines promptly informed the authorities of Cotabambas and Grau provinces and the authorities of Challhuahuacho, Cotabambas, Coyllurqui, Haquira, Mara and Tambobamba districts.
  • On 10 March 2014, the second Amendment to the EIA was presented to the Ministry of Energy and Mines. This was approved in November 2014, through R.D. 559-DGAAM.
  • The change in the modality of concentrate transport was supported, postponing the pipeline and opting for the bimodal system through concentrate trucks from Las Bambas to the Pillones station and by rail to the Port of Matarani.
Las Bambas directly informed the authorities of Cotabambas and Grau provinces and the authorities of Challhuahuacho, Cotabambas, Coyllurqui, Haquira, Mara and Tambobamba districts of this change, as recorded in the corresponding delivery charges.
THIRD MODIFICATION OF THE EIA
The Modification of an Environmental Impact Study (MEIA) is an environmental management instrument that is carried out within the framework of the optimisation, expansion or improvement of the components of a project.

This process has different stages required by law; one of the main ones is the public participation stage, in which information about the changes included in the Third MEIA is provided to the communities surrounding the operation.

During this process, we disseminated information about the Third MEIA through various mechanisms for public participation, such as:

  • Mobile information modules: with specialised personnel to carry out informative talks on MEIA in each community.
  • Information material: prepared for radio, print media and broadcasting in communities.
  • Permanent Information Offices (OIP): where community members can access all the information prepared for this process.
  • Guided visits: to the operation to explain in detail the changes proposed in the Third MEIA.
  • Informative meetings: with Las Bambas’ external stakeholders to explain the changes.
  • Focus groups: to ensure the quality of the information and receive their feedback.