At the end of 2024, Sandvik del Perú was awarded a major to supply mining machines to Buenaventura Mining Company’s Brocal, Yumpag and Uchucchacua underground mining operation units.

The deal includes Sandvik intelligent state-of-the-art equipment, such as the DD322i, DD312i face jumbos, as well as low-profile LHD models including Toro LH517i, LH514i and LH410 units, among other machines that total 36 units.

In addition, the Buenaventura has entrusted Sandvik with the supply of spare parts and components, as well as the mine maintenance service during the useful life of the equipment.

Sandvik del Perú stated: “We are honoured, proud and happy for this award and we will deploy our resources, dedication and talent to become Buenaventura’s number one partner in productivity and safety.”

Uchucchacua is located in the district of Oyón in the province of Oyón in the Lima region. It produces silver, lead and zinc and began operations in 1975. It includes three mines – Socorro, Carmen and Huantajalla, whose production is extracted through the Luz and Máster shafts. The exploitation methods used are upward cut and fill and bench & fill, both mechanised with low profile equipment. Yumpag is a silver project close to in the Yanahuanca district, Daniel Alcides Carrión province, in the Pasco region. The deposit is very similar to that of Uchucchacua, and will be integrated with it via a tunnel at level 3,850. The mine commenced operations in 2024 after early approval of its operating permit.

Uchucchacua’s Q3 2024 silver, lead, and zinc production was consistent with expectations for the quarter. Production increased sequentially, to a daily average throughput of 1,500 t per day during Q3 2024, aligned with the company’s targeted 1,500 t per day by year end 2024. Yumpag’s silver production was in line with Q3 2024 projections.

El Brocal produces silver, lead, zinc and copper. The company carries out its operations in the Colquijirca mining unit and the Huaraucaca concentration plant, located in the district of Tinyahuarco, province of Pasco, department and region of Pasco.

El Brocal’s Q3 2024 copper production decreased by 10% year on year. All ore stockpiled in Q2 2024 was processed during Q3 2024, enabling El Brocal to meet its targeted production for the first nine months of 2024. In Q3 2023, copper production at El Brocal had increased due to higher than estimated copper content mined from the open pit transitional ore. Q3 2024 silver production decreased by 57% year on year compared to the same period of 2023 when the open pit was in operation. The average mining rate during Q3 2024 was 12,000 t per day, and the average mining rate for the first nine months of the year was 11,000 t per day, aligned with the company’s target for full year production to exceed 11,000 t per day.