In August 2017, Water. Desalination + reuse (Faversham House), citing Reuters, reported that two large desalination schemes serving Chilean copper mining were progressing. BHP Billiton was negotiating with Grupo Cobra and Mitsui & Co, bidding jointly, over a plant for its Spence mine. In July 2017 the environmental agency SEA had cleared the mine's expansion in the Atacama, including an US$800 million seawater plant at Mejillones port. State-owned Codelco had shortlisted bidders for its US$1.2 billion plant in Antofagasta and intended to award it before the end of 2017.
The report showed copper mining in the Atacama becoming a driver of large seawater desalination in Chile, with single investments ranging from US$800 million to US$1.2 billion.