Fighting Glacier Retreat and Water Scarcity in Chile: Nilus Project Update
The Nilus Project — a collaboration between Orica and other esteemed partners—is making remarkable progress in tackling glacier retreat and water scarcity in Chile. Backed in part by the Orica Impact Fund, the initiative centres around creating artificial ice reservoirs to support local ecosystems and communities. Let’s take a closer look at how things are progressing.
Completed Milestones
The first few months were all about laying the groundwork. The team successfully defined the baseline—a crucial step to measuring progress accurately—and completed the design and engineering for eight artificial ice reservoirs. With this solid foundation, the project moved smoothly into the next phase.
By month six, materials were transported to the remote project site, and installation was completed without a hitch. The automation setup for the first stage is nearly finished, preparing for testing and configuring the operating parameters.
During this period, the team continued promoting the educational program, raising awareness about the importance of glaciers and their future role in sustaining these types of actions and projects. We engaged with high-mountain schools in the area, including Colegio San Gabriel, San Alfonso, El Canelo, and the Nueva Escuela de Culiprán in Melipilla.
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Current Phase: Data Collection
Now, the focus is shifting to data collection and community engagement. This marks the fifth season of studying the reservoir’s performance, and essential data are being gathered to further optimise the process.
What’s Next?
The next big milestone—planned for months 10 to 12—focuses on conducting studies. This phase will evaluate the reservoirs’ effectiveness and analyse their environmental and other benefits. From months 13 to 24, the team will scale up for stage two: refining automation, installing additional reservoirs, and gathering more data to enhance the system for the next season.
The Nilus Project proves that teamwork and innovation can create real solutions to global challenges. We’re excited to see what comes next!
Additional Reading:
#OricaImpactFund #GroundProbe #Nilus #SustainabilityInnovation #EnvironmentalImpact #Chile
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