Hofmann Engineering Chile recently opened its expanded facility in Antofagasta, Chile, adding more than 2,000 sq.m of space to serve a far greater range of client products, overhauls and rebuilds.
The expansion has seen the Hofmann Engineering Chile workshop footprint quadruple, with the upgraded facility including a 140-tonne crane capacity, providing the scale and capability to take on the heaviest and most complex work required by the Chilean mining industry. The crane will enable the facility to deal with larger rope shovel components and HPGR overhauls, it says.
“It strengthens our ability to deliver large format, precision engineered components with the reliability and technical depth our customers expect,” the company says.
As part of all this, the company’s local employment of machining and welding specialists is expected to increase by more than 50% percent in the near future.
The company told IM: “As we know, the existing Chilean mines are getting larger, deeper and with lower grades of ore being extracted. This results in more tonnes needing to be processed, with more machines, all of which then require ongoing maintenance. At the same time, new greenfield expansions are planned over coming years which will add significantly to the workload of on-site and off-site maintenance teams, equipment suppliers and third-party repairers.”
Against this backdrop, Hofmann Engineering wishes to continue growing with the Chilean mining industry, particularly by offering product-improved designs which extend the operating life of components, assemblies and machines, while reducing or eliminating the most common modes of premature failure.
“By having greater workshop and remanufacturing facilities located in Chile, close to the operating mines, Hofmann Engineering will be able to offer improved deliveries and more interactive client inspections compared with other manufacturers and repairers in Asia, Europe, or North America,” it added.
Oliver Viehweider, CEO of Hofmann Engineering, said: “Chile remains one of the most important mining markets in the world, and our ambition is to continue growing alongside our customers by delivering engineered solutions that improve equipment reliability, extend component life and create measurable value for mine operators.
“By expanding our local capability and working more closely with mining companies across the region, we can provide faster turnaround times, greater technical support and more opportunities for collaboration throughout the manufacturing and remanufacturing process.”