“Chile presses charges on environmental breaches”

Chile's environmental watchdog has pressed charges against Sierra Gorda SCM, firm jointly owned by Poland's KGHM Polska Miedz and Japan's Sumitomo Metal Mining [part of Sumitomo Group], saying it was found guilty of committing nine environmental infractions. "KGHM could face a fine of up to $29 million and have the licence for its Sierra Gorda mine revoked."..According to the Superintendence for the Environment (SMA), the "serious" to "mild" breaches include not implementing measures to control emissions, altering the natural habitat for native wildlife, and operating a tailings dam in an unauthorized fashion…In January Sierra Gorda's co-owner, Japan's Sumitomo , said it cut its profit forecast due to the investment loss at the mine.