Abstract

This paper estimates the cost of the abatement of sulfur dioxide (SO2) for three copper smelters operating in Chile. It analyses compliance with emission goals and with the atmospheric health-based SO2 and breathable particle standards. The smelters are Chuquicamata, belonging to the State-owned company, Codelco; and Hernán Videla Lira and Ventanas belonging to ENAMI, the national mining company, also owned by the State. The marginal investment for abating 1 ton of sulfur in 1999 was estimated to be US$186 (1998) for Ventanas, and US$181 for Paipote. The average investment for abating 1 ton of sulfur to fully comply with the annual standard measured on average in these smelters, was estimated to be US$220 and US$170 for the Ventanas and Paipote smelters, respectively. These values are not far from the market value for SO2 transactions from stationary sources in the USA. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.