Daniela Gamboa, a researcher in the Environmental Rehabilitation and Ecosystem Dynamics area at SMI-ICE-Chile, had a prominent role at the recent Sustainable Mining 2025 conference, organized by Gecamin.
Along with Mauricio Vera, a management engineer from the Environment and Territory Department of Codelco-Salvador Division, they presented the following topic in one of the plenary sessions: «Responsible Mining and Participation: Reflections on the Pedernales Salt Flats Enhancement Plan.»
Daniela Gamboa began by explaining the specifics of this high Andean salt flat and the importance of this enhancement measure, agreed upon within the framework of a settlement process between Codelco-Salvador and the Council of State, resulting from a lawsuit alleging environmental damage.
«In the Salar de Pedernales,» Daniela explained, «the water systems that connect surface flows allow for the development of wetlands, such as bofedales, vegas, and hydric grasslands, which sustain a unique and highly relevant biological diversity for the conservation of various species, such as birds, reptiles, and mammals.»
“Furthermore, the salt flats of the Altiplano have a close relationship with several indigenous cultures, as their location is a fundamental part of the seasonal migration routes used by communities that have crossed the Atacama Desert since ancient times.”
The SMI ICE Chile researcher also explained that high Andean wetlands are one of the ecosystems most threatened by the climate crisis and also by the intensive use of water for human activities.
Mauricio Vera, for his part, detailed the origin and scope of Measure RC-02, the Value Enhancement Plan, which Codelco Salvador has developed jointly with the SMI ICE Chile team.
“As a company, we undertake this compliance process with a firm commitment to sustainability,” he stated. “For us, it has represented a valuable learning opportunity, allowing us to strengthen our practices and reflect on our role in the region.”
This Enhancement Plan includes the following actions:
▶Preparation and implementation of a Conservation Management Plan using Open Standards.
▶Development of environmental education activities.
▶Development of scientific publications for the conservation of high Andean wetlands and a regional priority site.
▶Implementation of informational signage.
▶Installation of viewing points in the Leoncito ravine, the southern headwaters of the La Ola River, and the active SVAHT of the Salar de Pedernales.
▶Establishment of a conservation right in the surface property sectors of CODELCO (the southern headwaters of the La Ola River and the Leoncito, El Colorado, Las Tinajas, and Tordillo ravines).
▶Occupancy titles in the areas where CODELCO does not hold surface property (Asiento, Ciénaga, Pastos Largos, Río Negro, and Vertiente 2).
▶Transfer of water rights to its property in the surrounding freshwater streams where the described repair and restoration measures will be carried out.
“The Colla communities were directly involved in the environmental education activities, giving greater depth to the educational experience,” Daniela Gamboa emphasized. “This interaction fostered a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between culture and nature, fostering respect for cultural diversity among the students who participated in the educational experience.
“One of the greatest challenges has been building a shared vision of territorial management that articulates the perspectives of the communities and the Company,” she stated. “There are epistemological differences regarding what the salt flat means to each community: while the communities define it as a fundamental part of their ancestral territory, a sacred and living space, industry leaders tend to view it through a functional and productive lens. And this leads to different views on the concept of conservation.”
Mauricio Vera praised the fact that, during this process, they learned and adapted the activities of the agreement and the enhancement to the reality and perspectives of the territorial stakeholders. «The collaborative approach has allowed the project’s activities and results to gain the acceptance and legitimacy of the communities and the various stakeholders.»
