Chile looks to domestic coal

摘要

Sociedad Minera Isla Riesco has signed options withnChile’s economic development agency CORFO to buy twoncoal properties in the far-south of the country, accordingnto the company’s project manager Carlos Escobar. Thencompany, owned in equal parts by Chileannconglomerates Empresas Copec and Ultramar, outbidnmining giant BHP Billiton last August to win access tonRio Eduardo y Elena and Estancia Invierno, both locatednon Isla Riesco island, near the city of Punta Arenas, butnthe deal was delayed by approval from governmentnlawyers. “It took a pinch longer than we expected butnwas inside our parameters,” Escobar said.