In November 2015, Water. Desalination + reuse (Faversham House) reported that Chile's state copper commission, Cochilco, expected desalinated water to cover half of copper mining demand by 2026. Its report projected the sector's freshwater use falling 19% to 933,000 m³/day, while seawater use would grow more than fourfold to 924,000 m³/day. Cochilco placed most of the increase in Antofagasta, Atacama, Coquimbo and Tarapacá. Chile counted 16 mining-related desalination schemes, together worth US$10 billion, that were planned or under way, and nine plants were already running.
The report showed water scarcity and disputes over drinking water sources turning Chile's mining industry into a major driver of seawater use and desalination.