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Chile: Ministry receiving three geothermal exploration requests

Alexander Richter 19 Aug 2009

Chile's mining ministry has received three requests to carry out geothermal power exploration work for projects at Santa Edita and San Román by Hot Rock Chile, as well as by GeoGlobal Energy Chile for San Gregorio.

Reported locally, “Chile’s mining ministry has received three requests to carry out geothermal power exploration work in northern region II, and central-south regions VII and VIII, and one operation request for southern region IX, the official gazette reported.

Hot Rock Chile submitted exploration requests for projects Santa Victoria (28,500ha, region II), Santa Edita (60,800ha, VII) and San Román (15,000ha, VII-VIII), with investment in each project put at US$329,244.

GGE Chile (GeoGlobal Energy) submitted an operation request for project San Gregorio in region VIII-IX, which would cover 7,800ha. Estimated investment to develop the project would run to US$226mn.

Although Chile is developing legislation to overhaul the country’s system for geothermal concessions, companies currently can submit requests for specific areas.

The requests must then be approved by the mining and geological bureau (Sernageomin), the national border service (Difrol), the national water board (DGA), the indigenous peoples council (Conadi), the national forestry service (Conaf) and the defense ministry.”

Source: BN Americas