Antofagasta says Pelambres desalination plant could cost up to $400 mln

LONDON, March 17 (Reuters) - Building a desalination plant at the Los Pelambres copper mine could add $300-400 million to Antofagasta (Other OTC: ANFGY - news) 's $1.2 billion expansion plan, its chief executive said on Tuesday.

Last week, the company reached a deal with protesters who had been blocking access to the mine, blaming it for water shortages.

As part of that agreement, Antofagasta committed to using sea water should a planned expansion of the mine go ahead.

(Reporting by Silvia Antonioli; editing by Jason Neely)