Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has a long and successful association of supplying machines and supporting the Chilean mining industry. One of its largest and longest standing mining customers in the country is copper miner Pucobre with underground operations near Copiapo. Pucobre bought its first Volvo products – four BM 4400 wheel loaders, in 1983, and five years later the company introduced the first customised equipment at Pucobre: two 5350B ADTs with low emission engines – unusual at the time in that they were employed underground. The mine subsequently also acquired two BM 4500 wheel loaders.

Today, Pucobre operates exclusively with Volvo CE products like ADTs, wheel loaders, motor graders, backhoe loaders and skidsteer loaders. In 2011, Volvo CE delivered seven new L220F wheel loaders, six A40F ADTs and one EC330B hydraulic excavator. Over the next two years, Volvo CE is also set to deliver over 30 new articulated haulers and other equipment, adapted to the needs of the mining industry.

“The difference with Volvo is that the company continually invests in technology to increasingly enhance the quality of its products and adapt them to meet the needs of its Chilean customers,” states Volvo CE commercial director, Gilson Capato. “In addition to this, it also offers a set of services that ensures the necessary support in equipment maintenance.” In partnership with SKCM, Volvo CE’s dealer in Chile, the company offers Pucobre a set of solutions that focus on operator safety – product maintenance packages, ongoing staff qualifications for machine and equipment operators, support staff and customised support through SKCM, and actions driven to enhance environmental conservation. “The quality of Volvo products and the service differentials are factors that ensure the success of the brand’s relationship with Pucobre,” commented after-market manager in Chile, Jorge Yoma. “At this point in time, we are developing an operator qualification plan for articulated hauler and excavator operators for implementation and the preliminary test of the CareTrack system in the country.”