As in all Xstrata Copper projects, Energía Austral makes every effort to work in accordance with the highest environmental, safety and community relations standards. 

Energía Austral is governed by Xstrata’s sustainability policies and these are made known to the different companies that collaborate with the project in both the hydroelectric plants and the transmission line.

Its transmission project is, therefore, developed according to criteria that seek compatibility between its engineering and the environment, the scenery, human settlements, geographic conditions and the system’s security. 

• Protected areas and native forest: Energía Austral’s transmission line will seek to avoid affecting protected areas or areas of high scenic value.
• Social and economic interests: Energía Austral will seek to build a relationship of trust with communities in the project’s area of development. It has, therefore, undertaken to seek agreements with the community and its representatives, taking its interests into account and protecting the surrounding area, its economic activities and particular characteristics, and to support the area’s productive development, maximising the opportunities that the project may create.
• Accessibility: In its transmission line, Energía Austral will strive to achieve a balance between the use of existing routes and the development of new ones. It is also important to bear in mind the geography of the area and access facilities for the line’s construction, operation and future maintenance.
• Security: In a transmission line, many factors need to be taken into account of which one of the most important is supply security. Energía Austral will use the most advanced technology for its transmission line in order to ensure an uninterrupted and secure supply of energy to the Central Interconnected Grid (SIC) and its clients.

Energía Austral is developing its transmission line in accordance with these principles, seeking to ensure the best possible project in line with the policies of Xstrata Copper, the guidelines of the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the laws in force in Chile.