The initiatives intertwined with the Antofagasta Minerals Copper X Prix
Sport for purpose series, Extreme E, has just completed an action-packed, first-ever event in South America, the Antofagasta Minerals Copper X Prix, in the staggering Atacama Desert of Chile.
The event offered far more than just a thrilling wheel-to-wheel spectacle, as away from the track Extreme E’s drivers, scientists and partners were hard at work when it came to supporting the championship’s sustainability and equality initiatives in the local area.
Legacy Programme
Ahead of the Antofagasta Minerals Copper X Prix, the series embarked on its latest Legacy Programme, it’s second on the continent following an ongoing and extensive project to tackle deforestation in the Amazon.
Extreme E’s drivers got their hands dirty preparing the local habitat for the reintroduction of the Loa water frog in Calama, the gateway to the Atacama Desert.
The Loa water frog is a critically endangered aquatic frog, endemic to the Loa River in Calama, and vital to the upkeep of ecosystems in the area. A decline in this already delicate system of biodiversity would result in food-web breakdown and the loss of important ecosystem services.
Within that system the Loa water frogs play important ecological roles including natural pest control and contributing to the food chains. Their disappearance could cause systemic impacts, in both aquatic and terrestrial environments.
Extreme E has undertaken a conservation project with the Museum of Natural and Cultural History of the Atacama Desert for the clearance and preparation of the frogs’ release site near Calama to reintroduce them into the Chilean desert.
The championship is not alone in its Legacy Programme in Chile, as Antofagasta Minerals joined the initiative through Minera Centinela. The Copper X Prix’s title partner matched the contribution to be made to the Museum, with the aim of amplifying its impact as part of the triple alliance for the conservation and reintroduction of this species.
Rosberg X Racing
Alongside the activities of Extreme E’s Legacy Programme, Rosberg X Racing drivers Johan Kristoffersson and Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky also visited one of Antofagasta Minerals’ mines to get a better understanding of the uses of copper and the importance of a more sustainable approach to its extraction.
The switch to electric vehicles (EVs), puts a spotlight on the battery metals of Cobalt, Lithium and Nickel, but the role to be played by copper in the push for a green recovery should not be underestimated. Not only is copper used within vehicle production, but it is also intrinsic to EV infrastructure.
Mikaela Åhlin-Kottulinsky, RXR driver, commented: "This was a very impressive experience. Just to think that the mine is roughly the same size as Santiago de Chile was incredible. It was also really interesting to learn about the impact of mining and see the possible solutions, like driving with hydrogen - just like in Extreme E.”
Copper is used extensively in the EV industry due to its high conductivity, durability and malleability. What’s more, it is used in every major EV component, from the motor to the inverter and the electrical wiring. Beyond its use within electric vehicles, it is estimated that by 2030, there will be 20 million charging points, consuming 250% more copper than in 2019.
The demand for metals to support electrification needs to meet our climate goals and should not be done at the expense of biodiversity. With the Antofagasta Minerals Copper X Prix, Extreme E aims to raise awareness of more sustainable mining methods and highlight the efforts of Antofagasta Minerals in spearheading some of the technical developments conducive to this goal.
Community Support
Extreme E’s visit to Chile continued to highlight the importance of equality in motorsport. Before the highly anticipated X Prix, the series invited 150 local schoolgirls on-site, introducing them to life behind the scenes of the ground-breaking championship.
The girls were given the thrilling opportunity to get inside the cockpit of the colossal ODYSSEY 21, received talks from championship suppliers around the racing technology, like ENOWA, and interacted with the teams and drivers. Race winners X44 Vida Carbon Racing, ACCIONA | SAINZ XE Team and Veloce Racing were among but a few that introduced the girls to the world of motorsport.
Some of the students came away from the experience with more than just inspiration, as Extreme E also contributed equipment from the race site to local schools.
Harry Ellard, Hospitality Operations Manager at Extreme E, said:“Due to some last-minute challenges in Chile we had to purchase some benches, fridges and freezers for the site, alongside some extra furniture for the Explorer Lounge.
“In the spirit of community and sustainability, these unforeseen purchases have now found a new home at local Schools Flor del Desierto & Jardin Integra de Sierra Gorda."
Tipping Point
As part of the Antofagasta Minerals Copper X Prix, the all-electric series featured multiple Tipping Point talks centred around the Chile climate and the lessons that can be learned for a more sustainable future.
These engaging talks feature at all Extreme E events, provoking thoughts and discussion around environmental issues and sustainable alternatives.
In Chile, topics ranged from the Atacama Desert, with contributions from Chilean Archaeologist Francisca Romané Güemes Harris and Chilean Paleontologist Oscar Mauricio Rojas Andía, to greener materials and mining methods for a sustainable future, with series’ partners ENOWA and Enel.
The talks opened with a focus on the Atacama Desert. Led by Extreme E’s climate change specialist Professor Carlos Duarte, the discussion centred around the similarities between the Atacama and Mars.
Professor Carlos Duarte commented: “I found that off-track the series was able to raise awareness around such a wide range of issues, which are currently impacting the environmental and social climates of Chile.
‘So many got involved with these discussions, with local knowledge from Antofagasta Minerals encountering Extreme E and the series’ partners. Looking into the main sustainability challenges with mining, there are key impacts on biodiversity, habitats, and freshwater resources, in addition to greenhouse gas emissions from mining processes.
"It was great to see ideas and solutions implemented across multiple sectors coupled to strong social programs to deliver our electrification needs with near zero carbon and water footprint, all as part of the push to achieve a more sustainable future.”
Another talk saw fellow Scientific Committee member Francisco Oliveira join Professor Duarte to cover the topic of greener materials. The two were joined by Roland Kaeppner, Executive Director of Hydrogen and Green Fuels at ENOWA, Jean Paul Zalaquett, General Manager Enel X Way Latin America, and Iván Arriagada, CEO Antofagasta PLC. Together the group discussed the extensive work these future-facing companies are undertaking to tackle the impacts of climate change for a better future.
The final round of Extreme E Season 2 gets underway in Punta del Este, Uruguay, on 26-27 November 2022.
