125 4.1 Background The plant is located 65 km south of the city of Iquique, on the coast of the Tarapacá Region, between the towns of Patillos and Punta Patache. In hydrographic terms, it corresponds to the coastal basin sector between Tiliviche and Loa (Figure 17). The landfill site is located approximately 7.5 km northeast of the plant, in a natural depression between the coastal massif and Route A1. The site is located 2 km from the Pacific Ocean coast in a desert area with no vegetation. It covers an area of approximately 53 hectares with an average altitude of 90 meters above sea level. During the surveys carried out, ash fillings of 0.45 m were found, with a maximum thickness of 4.5 m, while the average and median were 1.64 m and 1.7 m, respectively. The total volume of ash and soil mixed with ash was approximately between 610,000 and 690,000 m³. 4.2 Problem. The landfill is characterized by the regular production of exposed ash that is continuously moistened to prevent it from dispersing into the air. A cover was sought to seal it off. The results of the soil sample analyses showed concentrations of certain metals (Se, Cu, V, Co, Hg) above the reference values established by Italian standards for industrial soil. Therefore, a human health risk assessment was carried out in accordance with the procedure set out in the document “Methodological Guide for the Management of Soils with Potential Contaminants” Human health risks due to exposure to soil with concentrations above the reference values were calculated to determine the need for action. Based on the results of the risk assessment, current and future exposure for site recipients meets the risk criteria. Therefore, the concentration measured in the soil was consistent with the industrial exposure scenario. As established in the Guide, no further action or studies were necessary (end of process). Based on the risk assessment performed, it was concluded that for a future industrial exposure scenario, the site will not generate or present a risk to the health of the population, under the terms established in paragraph a) of Article 11 of Law No. 19,300, since the magnitude of the risk is acceptable. However, it was necessary to minimize the impact of the ash on the environment caused by possible erosion by wind and runoff from scarce rainfall.
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