A comprehensive report released by Vostock Capital, titled 'Desalination Projects Latin America,' provides an overview of 23 flagship desalination initiatives across Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Brazil. The report highlights projects that are shaping the future of water security and sustainability in the region, addressing critical water needs for both urban populations and industrial operations.
Among the featured projects is the El Abra Mill Project in Chile, developed by Freeport-McMoRan and Codelco. With an investment of US $7.5 billion, the project includes a concentrator, a seawater desalination plant, and a desalinated water pumping system with a capacity of 500 liters per second. This initiative aims to expand production at the El Abra mine, demonstrating the intersection of mining and water infrastructure.
In Chile's Coquimbo Region, the Ministry of Public Works (MOP) is leading a US $350 million desalination plant with a capacity of 1,200 liters per second. The plant will supply potable water to the cities of Coquimbo and La Serena, addressing growing urban water demands in a region prone to drought.
In Peru, the Tía María Copper Project, developed by Southern Copper Corp, includes a 235 liters per second seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant. Valued at US $1.8 billion, the plant will supply water exclusively for mining processes, supported by pumping, storage, and transport infrastructure. This project highlights the critical role of desalination in enabling mining operations in water-scarce areas.
Mexico's Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, features a US $85 million desalination plant with a capacity of 250 liters per second. The state-of-the-art facility is designed to meet growing water demand sustainably in a popular tourist destination.
Brazil's Ceará Seawater Desalination Plant, developed by Cagece, is a US $620 million project with a capacity of 1,000 liters per second. The plant will supply potable water to over 720,000 people in Fortaleza, standing as a flagship water resilience project in Brazil's semi-arid northeast.
As part of the 2026 desalination agenda, Vostock Capital will host two exclusive technical site visits in Spain: one to the AcuaMed Desalination Plant in Murcia on May 13-14, and another to the ATL Desalination Plant in Llobregat on September 22-23. These visits offer professionals first-hand insight into operating facilities and advanced desalination techniques. For more information, visit the Vostock Capital newsroom.
