A report released by Vostock Capital details 23 flagship desalination projects across Latin America, underscoring the region's accelerating shift toward seawater desalination as a solution to water scarcity. The "Desalination Projects Latin America" report focuses on major initiatives in Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Brazil, representing billions of dollars in investment and significant capacity expansions.
Among the largest projects is the El Abra Mill Project in Chile, developed by Freeport-McMoRan and Codelco. With an estimated cost of $7.5 billion, the project includes a concentrator, a seawater desalination plant, and a desalinated water pumping system with a capacity of 500 liters per second. This initiative is crucial for sustaining copper production in a region facing water constraints.
In Chile's Coquimbo Region, the Ministry of Public Works is leading a $350 million desalination plant with a capacity of 1,200 l/s to supply potable water to Coquimbo and La Serena. This project addresses growing urban water demand in a drought-prone area.
Peru's Tía María Copper Project, developed by Southern Copper Corp, includes a 235 l/s seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant exclusively for mining processes. The $1.8 billion project highlights the mining sector's reliance on desalination to secure water supplies without competing with local communities.
In Mexico, the Los Cabos desalination plant in Baja California Sur, valued at $85 million, will provide 250 l/s of potable water to meet rising demand from tourism and residential growth. Brazil's Ceará Seawater Desalination Plant, developed by Cagece, is a $620 million facility with a capacity of 1,000 l/s, serving over 720,000 people in Fortaleza. This plant is a flagship for water resilience in Brazil's semi-arid northeast.
The report also announces two technical site visits in Spain for professionals seeking advanced desalination knowledge. The first visit, on May 13–14, will be to the AcuaMed Desalination Plant in Murcia; the second, on September 22–23, to the ATL Desalination Plant in Llobregat. These visits offer hands-on experience with operating facilities and cutting-edge processes. For more information, professionals can contact Vostock Capital.
The findings come at a critical time as Latin America faces increasing water stress due to climate change, population growth, and industrial demand. Desalination projects like these are vital for ensuring water security and supporting economic development. The full report is available from Vostock Capital, with updates in the company's newsroom.
