Experts from the mining industry, local governments, solution providers and research institutions have gathered in Peru to elaborate on latest topics and trends on mine water management – a crucial concern in Latin America.

The conference opened on Wednesday with Juan Carlos Sevilla Gildemeister, Head of Water Authority, Autoridad Nacional Del Agua giving an overview of water resources management and mining in Peru, followed by an insight into latest Government directives on water regulations and social permits, by Dr. Fernando Castillo Torres, General Director of Social Management Office of Ministry of Energy and Mines (MeM) (Peru) .

The morning session also included presentations by Francisco Echeverria, Former Water General Director -
Direccion General de Aguas (Government of Chile) , Juliana Campos Lopes, Director, Latin America- CDP (Brazil) and Dr Eric Rendón Schneir, Professor, Economics and Planning Faculty of the National Agrarian University – La Molina, and at the Pontificia universidad Católica del Perú (PuCP) . Post lunch sessions were focused around “Competing Demands for Water”, “Solid Liquid Separation Techniques”, and “Leading Technologies to Reduce Water Usage”, by World Bank Peru, Newmont Mining, and SAMARCO respectively.

Case studies and interactive panel discussions highlighted important topics such as, “Achieving Integrated Water Management”, “Regional expectations from the Miners to achieve Water Management goals ” and “Sustainable Waste Water Management Solutions for the Mining Industry .” Associate Sponsor, Hobas, presented a case study on Anti-Abrasive Pipe Solutions led by Managing Director, Barbara Promegger.

Day 2 of the conference will commence today, with a keynote by Milton von Hesse La Serna, Minister of Housing, Construction and Sanitation of Peru . Day 2 highlights include a case study by Barrick Gold Corporation. Regional Environmental Director ,Dr. Jorge Chavez, will talk about Barrick's water projects and articulation of efforts with local communities.

Prakash Marali, Divisional Manager , Corporate International Business, Kirloskar Brothers Limited, will speak about KBL’s LLC technology to re-claim water pumping stations in mining industry . Kirloskar Brothers Limited is Premium Bronze Sponsor of the LatAm Mine Water Conference.

Felip Ortuño, Principal Hydrogeologist, Itasca S.a. (Chile) will highlight the use of groundwater modelling to solve drain & planning problems in mining . Itasca is Support Sponsor of the conference. Day 2 sessions will extensively cover groundwater use development, water reinjection, climate change, use of Merrill Crowe process in water treatment , and the social approach to managing water resources in mining models to name a few.

The 3rd Annual LatAm Mine Water Conference is being held at the Radisson Decapolis Miraflores – Lima from 27-28 August 2014 and is sponsored by Kirloskar Brothers Limited, Degremont, Pentair, Itasca, Hobas, Seven Seas Water, Orenco, Geo Sud, and Abengoa.

The signature event is held under the Honorable Patronage of Autoridad National Del Agua and Consulate General of Peru in Dubai, endorsed by Sernageomin (Government of Chile) and the Institute of Mining Engineers, Peru. Officially supporters include CDP Brazil, Global Water Partnership South America, Peruvian Canadian Chamber of Commerce, ASOCIACIÓN GEOHIDRÓLOGICA MEXICANA, A.C., National Ground Water Association and GERENS.