Environmental Monitoring Plan
At SQM Iodine Plant Nutrition we frequently monitor ecosystems to ensure their proper conservation status. All operations have been evaluated by environmental authorities and are based on studies of hydrogeological and biological aspects of the area.
We invite you to learn more about plans we have implemented in Northern Chile.
In 2013, the Llamara Salt Flats were incorporated into the Pampa del Tamarugal National Reserve, as it is considered a priority site in the regional biodiversity strategy, due to the presence of a native tamarugo tree forest and puquio springs containing bacterial information. Our environmental monitoring plan includes the following activities
Tamarugo and Vegetation Monitoring in Llamara: We monitor, on an annual basis, the vitality of the tamarugo trees, evaluating water status and the formation of vegetation in the Puquios de Llamara sector.
The variables measured include:
Monitoring of aquatic biota and surface water in Llamara: We monitor aquatic biota and surface water on a biannual basis to control unexpected effects in Puquios de Llamara.
Among the variables that need control, the following ones stand out:
Mitigation measures for Puquios de Llamara water system: In order to mitigate the effects of the decreasing water table levels in the Llamara aquifer, which is a decrease associated with the pumping of water 8 kilometers north away from Los Puquios, there is a “hydraulic barrier” that works as a mitigation measure that reintegrates water allowing the chemical quality of water to be within normal ranges, in order to have a proper development for its biotic system in Los Puquios. At SQM we conducted studies during 2022 regarding puquio springs and their biota.
Hydrogeological Environmental Monitoring Plan: We observe monthly measurements of the level in the aquifer, chemical quality and measurements in water extraction volume and flow rate collected from wells. This plan allows us to confirm predictions made for environmental impact that might occur during project operations and is an instrument that helps in the activation of the Early Warning Plan.
Tamarugo Environment Management Plan: We continue with the Tamarugo Environment Management Plan, which began 7 years ago with the Tree Planting Program in the region of Tarapaca at Pozo Almonte District, where more than 12.000 tamarugo trees have been planted in the Bellavista sector and approximately 247 trees in the Llamara sector.
These are the initiatives developed to date:
Tamarugo and Vegetation Monitoring in Llamara: We monitor, on an annual basis, the vitality of the tamarugo trees, evaluating water status and the formation of vegetation in the Puquios de Llamara sector.
The variables measured include:
- Foliar water potential.
- Stomatic resistance.
- Carbon 13 isotopic discrimination.
- Oxygen 18 enrichment.
Monitoring of aquatic biota and surface water in Llamara: We monitor aquatic biota and surface water on a biannual basis to control unexpected effects in Puquios de Llamara.
Among the variables that need control, the following ones stand out:
- Phytoplankton and Phyto benthos composition.
- Zooplankton and benthos diversity.
- Development and status of macrophytes.
Mitigation measures for Puquios de Llamara water system: In order to mitigate the effects of the decreasing water table levels in the Llamara aquifer, which is a decrease associated with the pumping of water 8 kilometers north away from Los Puquios, there is a “hydraulic barrier” that works as a mitigation measure that reintegrates water allowing the chemical quality of water to be within normal ranges, in order to have a proper development for its biotic system in Los Puquios. At SQM we conducted studies during 2022 regarding puquio springs and their biota.
Hydrogeological Environmental Monitoring Plan: We observe monthly measurements of the level in the aquifer, chemical quality and measurements in water extraction volume and flow rate collected from wells. This plan allows us to confirm predictions made for environmental impact that might occur during project operations and is an instrument that helps in the activation of the Early Warning Plan.
Tamarugo Environment Management Plan: We continue with the Tamarugo Environment Management Plan, which began 7 years ago with the Tree Planting Program in the region of Tarapaca at Pozo Almonte District, where more than 12.000 tamarugo trees have been planted in the Bellavista sector and approximately 247 trees in the Llamara sector.
These are the initiatives developed to date:
- Carrying out operations and delivering veterinary kits.
- Training for veterinary kit use with the Use and Management of Medicines in Livestock manual.
- Delivery of supplementary feed to the Association, containing 4,000 sacks of alfalfa pellets weighing 25 kilograms each (100 tons).
- Delivery of machinery to produce more complementary feed for livestock.
- Execution of the “Alfalfa Production Center” project, located within the Pampa del Tamarugal Reserve. Currently we have the production of 10 hectares with a total of 3,200 bales produced (25 to 30 kilograms in each bale).
- Planting 500 trees, tamarugos and churquis. Churquis are currently scarce in the Pampa del Tamarugal, and their restoration will serve as a natural windbreak for 30 productive hectares.