Codelco, Chilean state-owned mining company, has announced its intentions to start construction works for the desalination plant located in Calama, Chile.

The desalination plant will have an initial capacity to process 840 liters per second and with the potential to expand to 1,956 liters per second by using reverse osmosis technology. 

A consortium comprising Marubeni Corporation and Transelec will be in charge of developing the works for the plant and its impulsion system. The construction works are expected to be completed within three years. Once operational, desalination plant will provide services to Codelco's copper mining operations in Chuquicamata, Radomiro Tomic and Ministro Hales. The estimated investment value for the project is US$1 billion.