:: Hatch Studying Water Recovery at Escondida Mine

Hatch has been retained by BHP Billiton Base Metals to execute a prefeasibility study at the Escondida facilities in northern Chile. The study will examine ways to improve water recovery from the tailings. BHP Billiton commissioned the prefeasibility study when a long-term mine production plan revealed that the current supply of fresh water will not be able to meet the estimated water requirements of 2,900 litres per second.

Hatch Santiago will lead the project. It is scheduled for completion in July 2008.