Blog

DesalData Weekly - March 19th, 2018

Posted 19 March, 2018 by Mandy

march 19_1.png

Codelco underground mine tunnel. Credit: Flickr.

CHILE – State-owned mining company Codelco has received approval from environmental authorities to build a $1 billion desalination plant in the Antofagasta region. This will enable Codelco, the largest copper producer in the world, to expand its Radomiro Tomic mine and increase investment in its water-intensive mining operations in one of the driest regions in the world. With a capacity of 54,000m3/d, the desalination plant will be the second-largest in Chile.[1] 

 

INDIA – The Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) is planning to build a desalination plant in Bharuch to supply water to its industries in the Petrochemicals & Petroleum Investment Region.[2] GIDC vice-chairman and managing director D. Thara stated that the desalination plant will have a capacity of 50,000 m3 per day and will help to meet the shortage of water during high tide in the river Narmada. The cost of the plant is estimated at $77.25 million dollars and once the project gets the green light, the plant is expected to be operational in 12 to 15 months.

 

march 19_2.png

Credit: constructionreviewonline.com

 

KENYA – a new solar desalination plant at Lamu East is now operational and will supply more than 10,000 residents with clean water.[3]  The $197,600 desalination plant, built by ENI Kenya B.V, was established through a partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum and the county government, and is expected to have an output of produce 60 m3/d. The use of seawater desalination is intended to ameliorate the decade-long water shortage that has affected Siyu and Pate Island.

 

MALAYSIA – Funds have been approved for the repair of eight malfunctioning desalination plants throughout the state of Sarawak in Borneo. A sum of $1.28 million dollars has been allocated to carry out the repair works, which have already started at Teluk Melano, Kampung Batang Maro and Kampung Lanjon. Sarawak Rural Water Supply Department and Sarawak Development Office will implement the project and monitor repair works.[4]

 

 

 


[1] “Chile’s Codelco receives approval for $1 billion desalination plant”, Reuters.com, March 8, 2018. <https://www.reuters.com/article/us-chile-codelco/chiles-codelco-receives-approval-for-1-billion-desalination-plant-idUSKCN1GK26Y> accessed March 12, 2018.

[2] “GIDC to set up 50 MLD desalination plant for Bharuch, Dahej industries”,  Indiatimes.com, March 11, 2018. <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/gidc-to-set-up-50-mld-desalination-plant-for-bharuch-dahej-industries/articleshow/63250374.cms> accessed March 12, 2018.

[3] “Fresh water for Lamu village with Sh20mn desalination plant”,  businessdailyafrica.com, March 9, 2018. <https://www.businessdailyafrica.com/news/counties/Fresh-water-Lamu-Siya-Sh20mn-desalination-plant/4003142-4334960-riph3u/index.html> accessed March 12, 2018.

[4] Abdul Hakim Bujang, “RM5 million to repair desalination plantst”, theborneopost.com, March 7, 2018. <http://www.theborneopost.com/2018/03/07/rm5-million-to-repair-desalination-plants/> accessed March 12, 2018.

Continue reading