The 1st Workshop on Earth Movement organised by ME Elecmetal Chile took place in Antofagasta, Chile, on October 8-9, 2014. In attendance were important mining companies such as Freeport-McMoran Candelaria, BHP Escondida, KGHM Sierra Gorda and Codelco’s Andina, Chuquicamata, Ministro Hales and El Teniente. Mining industry suppliers like ESCO, Komatsu and Enaex also participated in the workshop. The event was also supported by the National Service of Geology and Mining and the Northern Catholic University.

ME Elecmetal said the workshop had a very positive response from the attendees “who expressed their satisfaction regarding the quality of its presentations”, which included different topics related to earth movement such as: geology, safety in open-pit mining, ground engaging tools and their application in earth moving equipment, energy optimisation in rock fragmentation, alloys for ground engaging tools, new ground engaging tools systems, development of open-pit mines, laser scanning technologies applied to mine area equipment, amongst others.

Awards were given to the top three presentations by the attendees: 1st Best Presentation award went to Professor Guillermo Chong, PhD, from the Northern Catholic University, Chile; 2nd Presentation award went to Julio Antezana from Candelaria mining company; and 3rd Presentation award went to Raul San Martin from Codelco’s Ministro Hales Division.

The company has also recently received an ISO 14001 certification during October 2014 for the environmental management system of its foundries located in Duluth, Minnesota, and Tempe, Arizona in the US. In these manufacturing facilities, ME Elecmetal manufactures its premium quality grinding mill liners and other steel castings for mining equipment. The certification was accredited by the British Standards Institution (BSI), and the company stated that it is “in recognition to all the work related to environmental risk management” made by the two sites.