Finning International has announced that its South American operation has been awarded a contract by Teck Resources to deliver new equipment and product support to Teck’s Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 (QB2) operations in northern Chile. Finning will supply an initial fleet of Caterpillar 794AC electric drive off-highway trucks and other large mining machines to Teck’s QB2 open pit copper mine. The accompanying product support agreement for the initial fleet runs for five years. In addition, Finning will work closely with Caterpillar to provide Teck’s QB2 operations with Caterpillar’s Command for Hauling system, Caterpillar’s 794AC AHS (Autonomous Haulage Technology) kits, and ancillary kits to enable autonomous operations as QB2 ramps up to full copper production in 2022.
“We are pleased to partner with Teck in developing QB2, one of the world’s premier copper assets, and are excited to deliver and support the first fleet of electric drive, autonomous off-highway trucks in Chile. Our goal is to support Teck in operating efficiently and cost effectively, while improving productivity and safety,” said Scott Thomson, President & CEO, Finning International. “Our Integrated Knowledge Centre in Antofagasta, Chile is using data-driven insights and innovative processes and technologies to reduce cost per ton and improve equipment availability for our customers. We remain constructive on the long-term outlook for copper and are well positioned to capture equipment and product support opportunities as mining activity in Chile begins to recover,” concluded Thomson.
“Working with Teck and our dealer Finning, our experts will provide QB2 state-of-the art technology and services to help it operate with greater safety and productivity,” said Denise Johnson, Group President Resource Industries, Caterpillar Inc. “Chile remains an important region of the world for mining, and we are pleased to be able to be part of Teck’s operations.”
The QB2 project is one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper resources located in Tarapacá Region of northern Chile. When complete, QB2 will be a premier asset, with low operating costs, an initial mine life of 28 years, and significant potential for further growth. Construction of QB2 was sanctioned by the project partners in December 2018. First copper production is planned for the second half of 2021.