ITT Chosen to Move Filtered Seawater to the High Desert for Large-Scale Mining Project in Chile
ITT Corporation has received a multi-million dollar contract to provide filtered seawater to Esperanza, a large new copper-gold mining project in Chile’s Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the world. The mine will be the first large-scale mine in Chile to make use of seawater in the mining process.
As part of the project, ITT will help move treated seawater from the ocean to an elevation of 7,550 feet above sea level over a distance of 91 miles. The ITT system will employ a total of 16 pumps to service four pumping stations, each comprising four horizontal multi-stage pumps driven by 2400 and 1800 horsepower motors.
“In an area with virtually no rainfall, supplying a mine with enough water to support its operations is a challenge. This project is a significant milestone in meeting that need, and will showcase ITT’s reliability in the movement and treatment of water in extreme conditions,” said Ken Napolitano, president of ITT’s Industrial Process business. “As water scarcity continues, we anticipate more mining projects in Chile, Peru and other mining areas of the world will use seawater in this way.”
ITT serves the water treatment, mining, chemical, oil, gas and industrial process markets in Latin America, with direct presence in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela.
About ITT Corporation
ITT Corporation (www.itt.com) is a diversified high-technology engineering and manufacturing company dedicated to creating more livable environments, enabling communications and providing protection and safety. The company plays an important role in vital markets including water and fluids management, global defense and security, and motion and flow control. ITT employs approximately 40,000 people serving customers in more than 50 countries. Headquartered in White Plains, N.Y., the company generated $9 billion in 2007 sales.
Contact:
ITT Corporation Tom Glover, 914-304-1798
Tom.Glover@itt.com
Source: ITT Corporation
