A comprehensive report released by Vostock Capital provides an exclusive overview of 23 flagship desalination projects across Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Brazil, underscoring the region's growing commitment to water security and sustainability. The report, titled “Desalination Projects Latin America,” details initiatives that collectively represent billions of dollars in investment and are expected to significantly bolster water supplies for both municipal and industrial uses.
Among the featured projects is the El Abra Mill Project in Chile, developed by Freeport-McMoRan and Codelco. With an estimated cost of US $7.5 billion, the project includes a concentrator, a seawater desalination plant, and a desalinated water pumping system capable of 500 liters per second. This initiative aims to expand production at the El Abra mine while addressing water needs in the arid region.
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 l/s to supply potable water to the cities of Coquimbo and La Serena. This project highlights the growing role of public-sector investment in municipal water infrastructure.
Peru's Tía María Copper Project, developed by Southern Copper Corp at a cost of US $1.8 billion, features a 235 l/s seawater reverse osmosis desalination plant dedicated exclusively to mining processes. The plant is supported by pumping, storage, and transport infrastructure, illustrating how the mining sector is turning to desalination to reduce freshwater consumption.
In Mexico, the Los Cabos, Baja California Sur desalination plant, valued at US $85 million, is designed to meet growing water demand sustainably with a capacity of 250 l/s. This state-of-the-art facility addresses water scarcity in a popular tourist destination.
Brazil's Ceará Seawater Desalination Plant, developed by Cagece at a cost of US $620 million, will supply potable water to over 720,000 people in Fortaleza. With a capacity of 1,000 l/s, this project stands as a flagship water resilience initiative in Brazil's semi-arid northeast.
The report also highlights the 2026 desalination agenda, which includes two exclusive technical site visits in Spain. These visits, scheduled for May 13–14 at the AcuaMed Desalination Plant in Murcia and September 22–23 at the ATL Desalination Plant in Llobregat, are designed for professionals seeking to strengthen their expertise in advanced desalination techniques. For more information, interested parties can visit the official websites: Vostock Capital newsroom and PRISM MediaWire.
These projects and events underscore Latin America's strategic shift toward desalination as a critical solution for water scarcity, with implications for economic development, public health, and environmental sustainability across the region.
