The Minister of the Environment, Juan Carlos Navarro, reported that the process of transferring ammonium nitrate stored in the copper mine, which began on January 16, will take several months, due to the risks it entailed and the proper handling that had to be had these explosives.

Navarro stressed that the process of transferring the 7,960 tons of the explosive material, being carried out by the owner company Austin Powder, is being supervised by the Ministry of Security and the Ministry of Commerce and Industries.

“What I can tell you in advance is that the reports we have received is that the material has begun to be withdrawn and the tests that are required to be able to withdraw it in its entirety, which is a period that will take many months,” Navarro explained.

He also mentioned that there are more than 7,000 tons of ammonium nitrate, and that everything relevant and related to the mine involves complicated processes that require a lot of safety and that require very professional handling and that is what is being done in this case.

After the material is removed from the copper mine, Navarro indicated that an environmental audit will be done which they are already consulting. “This public consultation, as you know the terms of reference, will be a comprehensive audit and on that basis then the steps to follow in the mine area will be seen,” he concluded.