In Chile, Finning has announced that it will deliver 13 Caterpillar 798 AC electric drive off-highway trucks (410 ton/372 t class) to Codelco’s Ministro Hales open pit copper mine and support the fleet under a 10-year maintenance and repair contract. It expects to start delivering the new trucks in the second half of 2022. These trucks will expand Ministro Hales’ existing Caterpillar truck fleet and are expected to enhance fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

Codelco’s Ministro Hales copper mine has also been making steady progress with ultraclass autonomous haulage implementation that will see four autonomous 363 t 797F trucks in production starting in May 2022. The Command for hauling system has been implemented at the mine through collaboration between Codelco, Caterpillar and Finning Chile, with the AHS being managed from a new Autonomous Operations Center.

The 798 AC Cat says delivers “high speed on grade, easier maintenance, and excellent electric retarding and brake performance. The result? Improved productivity, high availability and more confident operators.” Better serviceability is provided by engine walkways, service platforms, modular components and ground-level, grouped service point. A first overhaul life of 25,000 hours drives lower cost of ownership. The engine (C175-16 or C175-20 for high altitude operations) and dual bearing drive alternator can be serviced separately, eliminating shimming. Modular wheel motors and final drives enable service on individual components.