Abengoa, a Spain-headquartered international company that describes itself as applying “innovative technology solutions for sustainability in the infrastructure, energy and water sectors,” was recently selected by the National Copper Corporation of Chile (Codelco) for an electromechanical construction and assembly project at the Chuquicamata concentrate smelter.
Specifically, the project includes simultaneous electromechanical assembly in two areas of the mining complex known as the Chuquicamata Division, for a total of approximately 850,000 man-hours. On the one hand, the treatment of gases from refining furnaces is being carried out and, on the other hand, the so-called dryer number five will be replaced by a new dryer with new technology.
These works are developed with the objective of reducing air emissions of particulate material (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO2) and arsenic (As), products of the Chuquicamata smelting processes, to satisfy and follow the requirements of the standard for copper smelters and arsenic emitting sources emissions of the Ministry of the Environment of Chile.
“Obtaining this contract further consolidates Abengoa’s position as a leader in the large mining sector in Chile, where it has been operating for more than 30 years, and where it has developed significant electrical and electromechanical assembly projects. Recently, Abengoa was also awarded by Codelco a contract for the repowering of conveyor belts in the mining sector – the belts are for handling rubble (rock fragments deemed as surplus) – as well as the electromechanical assembly of the largest underground copper mine in the world, El Teniente mine.”