Anglo American is working on issues related to the SMA’s findings. Credit: Marlon Trottmann/Shutterstock.

Chile’s environmental regulator, the SMA, has filed charges against Anglo American Sur, the local division of Anglo American, for alleged environmental violations at its El Soldado copper mine, Reuters reported.

The SMA has classified these charges as “serious”, which could lead to severe penalties including the revocation of the mine’s environmental permit, closure or a fine exceeding 12bn pesos ($12.4m).

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Anglo American told the news agency that it is actively working to address the issues raised.

The company has communicated its efforts to the regulator and is seeking a meeting with environmental officials to discuss further actions.

The El Soldado mine, the smallest of Anglo American’s copper mines in Chile, produced 35,700 million tonnes of copper from January to September this year.

The company was quoted by the news agency as saying: “We are committed to working continuously with the authority to comply with all our environmental commitments.”

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The SMA’s charges stem from various environmental concerns including an incomplete drainage system at El Soldado, which has led to water management issues.

Additionally, Anglo American reportedly failed to notify the SMA about these problems or to establish a maintenance plan.

Another significant finding by the SMA was the company’s inadequate monitoring of a vulnerable local frog species, the ‘Sapo rulo’, with a population of 3,867.

The regulatory body, along with officials from Chile’s water, geology and fishing agencies, conducted an audit of the mining site.

Anglo American now has a 15-day window to propose a compliance plan and 22 days to present a defence against the charges.

Last month, Anglo American South Africa divested a 6.6% stake in Anglo American Platinum, a platinum group metals miner.