Thursday 22 October 2020
ENGIE partners with Chilean copper miner Codelco on electric mining truck project
The vehicle will begin its technical tests this week and will support the operations of the 'world's biggest' underground copper mine, El Teniente, in the Chilean Andes at an altitude of more than 2,000 metres.
ENGIE will be responsible for the data monitoring and load management during the test period and will also validate its operation in terms of power, resistance and energy consumption in underground mine and high mountain road conditions.
The vehicle is predicted to cut operating costs by up to 80% compared to diesel vehicles.
Axel Leveque, Chief Executive Officer of ENGIE Chile, said: "We are focused on developing solutions that contribute to a greener and carbon-neutral mining. Our relationship with Codelco is long-standing and we have always been co-designing energy alternatives to make your business more efficient and sustainable.
"Today we advance in this pioneering pilot in mining operations, which we are betting will open doors for a new phase of green mobility in the industry."
Codelco's Executive President Octavio Araneda said: "At Codelco, we are taking the first steps in a great revolution that is taking place worldwide, which is electrification. We have a road map for underground mining projected to 2030, in which the majority of production equipment will be electric."
