The town of Ciénaga Redonda, in the Antofagasta de la Sierra department, will soon move forward with an electricity supply project that will improve the community's energy service and support the growth of activities linked to the region's mining development. The project will be financed by Rio Tinto (operator of the Fénix and Sal de Vida projects) and will also receive contributions from other companies operating in the area.
By Panorama Minero
The initiative was presented during a meeting attended by the Ciénaga Redonda community, municipal authorities, and representatives of AbraSilver, POSCO, Rio Tinto, and Galan Lithium.
During the meeting, the parties defined the actions required to begin the electricity supply project, which will be carried out through an initial investment of US$300,000 provided by Rio Tinto as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program.
The work includes the installation of utility poles, power lines, and a 200 kVA generator set, with an estimated execution period of 45 days. Once this first stage is completed, the system will provide both single-phase and three-phase electricity service to the community.
The project will benefit both the families of Ciénaga Redonda and local mining suppliers and businesses involved in activities such as civil construction, laundry services, catering, logistics, and other services currently supporting various mining projects in the Puna region.
The town, located in one of the most remote areas of the Catamarca Puna, has hosted several public participation processes related to mining projects. During those meetings, access to electricity consistently emerged as one of the community's main priorities.
Impact on the Community
The Mayor of Antofagasta de la Sierra, Mario Cusipuma, highlighted the importance of the initiative for local development and for strengthening economic opportunities within the community.
"This project will not only improve the quality of life of our residents, but will also enable significant economic growth for the community by supporting the development of many people from Antofagasta who are currently working directly with the mining industry," he said.
The mayor also emphasized the collaborative work carried out by the municipality, the companies, and the community to make the project possible.
"We are very pleased to have managed this project and with the progress it will bring to the people of Antofagasta through this important step forward for the community," he stated.
Corporate Contributions and a Second Stage with Solar Energy
In addition to the investment in the electrical infrastructure, POSCO confirmed the donation of 16,000 liters of fuel to ensure the community's energy supply during the initial stage of the system's operation. The agreement will be formally signed in the coming days with the Municipality of Antofagasta de la Sierra.
According to the information released, the project includes a second stage aimed at incorporating renewable energy through the installation of a solar power plant, allowing the community to transition toward a hybrid energy supply system.
The initiative adds to other projects promoted in Antofagasta de la Sierra to strengthen infrastructure and public services in one of the regions that concentrates a significant share of Argentina's lithium mining investments. Months earlier, Mayor Mario Cusipuma had indicated that providing electricity to Ciénaga Redonda was one of the community's priority infrastructure projects, together with initiatives related to healthcare, training, and infrastructure improvements financed through mining contributions, trust funds, and corporate social responsibility programs.
