Water intake, at 600m offshore and 25m depth, is followed by pre-treatment and turbulent flotation and flows through four reverse osmosis modules. Water is stored and then transferred to 170km at an altitude of 2800m. This $28m-contract is part of a $100m project covering the whole mine. Degrémont will guarantee 0,52 m3/s in 24 hours a day. Company plans an a posteriori development with water needs of 2 m3/s. Lack of sufficient water resource at this altitude, and failure to negotiate with other water rights holders have pushed Minera Escondida to choose desalination (cf. Hydroplus 142).Pascale Peignen SéralineClick here to visit Degremont web site.Click here to join the editorial team of Hydroplus.