With an investment of more than US$48 million, BHP has significantly modernised its operations centre in Santiago, originally inaugurated in 2018, it says putting the company at the forefront of integrated remote operations centres in the region.

Today, the operations of BHP Copper Advanced Services (CAS) began, a new company whose integrated operations centre will allow it to provide remote and fully autonomous operation services to BHP’s copper operations in Chile, namely Spence and Escondida.

The new remote operations centre will handle 5.4 terabytes of information daily, using a subsea data cable link from Antofagasta to Santiago, and consists of a new data centre with the capacity to back up and protect the latest technologies being used, plus ensuring greater security, while also permitting further technology growth. It also bolsters coordination and informed decision making and allows for greater remote and automated operation of machinery in complex environments.

The BHP Copper Advanced Services facilities occupies 3,400 m2 in the Titanium building, located in the financial centre of Santiago. It involved a total investment of US$48.3 million and includes more than 230 staff.

“This is the most modern remote operation centre in the copper industry. We have cutting-edge technology that allows us to deliver a remote operation service of the highest quality, thousands of kilometres away from the sites, in their different stages. and unit processes,” said Marcelo Castillo, Director of BHP Copper Advanced Services.

As part of the entry into operation completed today, the teams officially launched the integration of data from Minera Escondida and Minera Spence, giving way to a remote operations centre with a data centre that has a future growth capacity of up to ten times considering its current capacity.

Furthermore, in line with BHP’s gender balance policy, CAS will be made up of 51% women in its general operation with a 40% female presence in leadership roles.