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  • Pages
  • Editions
01 Cover
02 Welcome Letter / Sections
03 Article & Interview Directory
04 Section 1: Introduction
05 An Evolving Constitutional Landscape
06 Chile Ministry of Mining Interview
07 Consejo Minero Interview
08 APRIMIN Interview
09 Expert Opinion Article: Francisco Acuña, CRU
10 Expert Insights: Chile’s Evolving Sociopolitical Landscape
11 ESG & Renewable Energy
12 ICMM Interview
13 Aggreko Interview
14 Mining Investment Climate
15 Appian Capital Advisory Interview
16 Expert Insights: Attracting Sustainable Investment
17 Section 2: Production & Development
18 Copper Production & Development
19 BHP Interview
20 Antofagasta PLC Interview
21 Freeport McMoRan Interview
22 Teck Resources Limited Interview
23 Amerigo Resources Interview
24 Precious Metals
25 Kinross Interview
26 Rio2 Limited Interview
27 Lithium
28 SQM Interview
29 Albemarle Interview
30 Section 3: Junior Exploration
31 Study-stage Copper Projects
32 Expert Insights: Chile's Junior Exploration Community
33 World Copper Limited Interview
34 Early-stage Opportunities
35 ATEX Resources Interview
36 Torq Resources Interview
37 Pampa Metals Interview
38 VerAI Discoveries Interview
39 Lithium Exploration and Development
40 Lithium Chile Interview
41 Wealth Minerals Interview
42 Monumental Minerals Interview
43 Section 4: Engineering, Construction & Consultancies
44 Engineering & Consultancies
45 Water and the Environment
46 JRI Interview
47 Wood Interview
48 SRK Consulting Interview
49 Construction & Contractors
50 Sigdo Koppers Interview
51 Züblin Strabag Interview
52 Echeverría Izquierdo Interview
53 Thiess Interview
54 Going Underground
55 Master Drilling Interview
56 Robbins Interview
57 INCIMMET Interview
58 Section 5: Equipment & Technology
59 The Evolution of Mining Equipment
60 Scania Interview
61 Expert Insights: OEMs on Sustainability and Innovation
62 Comminution & Material Handling
63 Metso Outotec Interview
64 ME Elecmetal Interview
65 TAKRAF Interview
66 Haver & Boecker Interview
67 Innovation & Technology
68 Hexagon Interview
69 DSI Underground Interview
70 Dingo Interview
71 Pipes, Valves, Components & Wear Protection
72 Hofmann Engineering Interview
73 Expert Insights: The Benefits of AI and Automation
74 Section 6: Services
75 Drilling & Blasting
76 Geotec Boyles Bros Interview
77 Enaex Interview
78 Services
79 SGS Interview
80 Section 7: Sponsored Company Profiles
81 FreePort-McMoRan Profile
82 Rio2 Company Profile
83 Lithium Chile Profile
84 Metso Outotec Company Profile
85 SGS Company Profile
86 Credits

Pablo Varela, Managing Director – Latin America,

AGGREKO

"We will start by providing diesel and solar solutions at Salares Norte, but have committed to improve the technology as the availability of newer innovations comes to the market."

Can you elaborate on the power solutions Aggreko provides to the mining sector?

Aggreko is a proud partner to the mining industry in all stages of power for the mining life cycle, from exploration to closure. The company offers a wide range of bespoke energy solutions, often the main source of power in isolated mines, using the latest fuels and storage solutions. We recognise our position as partners in the energy transition and are constantly evolving our products to provide better solutions. Whether it is diesel, gas, hybrid or HFO, Aggreko can provide power, heating and cooling systems ranging from day hires to 20-year contracts, as we offer flexible agreements to suit any situation.

Can you elaborate on Aggreko’s partnership with Gold Fields at the Salares Norte mine, working on the company’s first hybrid installation and largest photovoltaic solar installation in Chile?

Aggreko’s partnership with Gold Fields started 15 years ago in Australia, at the Granny Smith gold mine. Initially we provided them with diesel rental solutions, and later moved to gas, battery and hybrid solutions to align their power consumption with their environmentally-focused approach.

Gold Fields approached us during the planning stages of Salares Norte to come up with the best sustainable power solutions for this large scale development. The flexibility of our contract is a great advantage and Aggreko has committed to deliver power to the Salares Norte project for the whole life of mine, which is initially 10 years, but will likely be extended. We will start by providing diesel and solar solutions, but have committed to improve the technology as the availability of newer innovations comes to the market.

We are already evaluating new solutions for installing batteries for such a large scale project, installing virtual gas pipelines to the site, and other opportunities to improve power sources within the mine. We currently have several small power plants running at different sites and already began construction on the main power plant which will first run on diesel while we are working on the environmental approvals to install the solar PV solution. Ironically, it takes longer to attain a solar approval than a diesel approval.

To what extent can renewable energy sources reduce the carbon footprint of a mining operation?

When operating in remote areas, power generation is a necessity. The traditional solution has been thermal power, but carbon emissions are high in this process. Companies are starting to look at power generation sources which have a lesser impact on the environment, such as solar. The challenge is that one cannot rely 100% on solar due to penetration limits, and therefore hybrid solutions have been receiving great attention. Solar penetration is generally up to 30%, but by adding batteries one can increase penetration, depending on the investment. There is also a focus on switching from diesel to gas, which can significantly reduce a project’s carbon footprint.

How do you think political changes in Chile could impact the landscape for investment in renewables?

It is difficult to predict the way forward with the new administration. Clarity on regulations and policies will be greatly beneficial in attracting FDI as certainty that contracts will be respected increases investor confidence. Chile has always been transparent and the main mission of the new government is to show that they can continue providing clarity to investors regarding rules and regulations.

The cost of solar energy has reduced considerably in the last decade. Today, how does it compare with traditional forms of energy from a cost/benefit standpoint?

From a cost perspective, operating on solar becomes favorable after aproximtely eight years, if compared with thermal. Thus, if an operation will not last that long, it will be more beneficial to use thermal power, unless you can get a redeployable thermal asset as we are offering today to some of our mining customers for their construction phase. A battery solution is also required for using power during the night, but this is still expensive. Hybrid solutions utilizing a combination of solar, water, thermal, diesel, or gas resources are still the best option today as they are the only way to guarantee a consistent power supply. Interruptions in power supply can greatly impact on a mining operation and it is important to implement a power solution which is reliable, sustainable, and cost efficient.

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Article: Mining Investment Climate