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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

Darrell White, Executive General Manager – Americas,

THIESS

"Our approach is to combine technology with training to aid transformation in mining, which is increasingly important as we see ore grades decline."

Can you provide details of the five new Liebherr T264 electric wheel drive trucks deployed by Thiess at Antofagasta Minerals’ Encuentro Oxides operation at Minera Centinela?

Thiess has a strong working relationship with Liebherr that dates back decades. We’re excited to bring the new T264 electric-wheel-drive trucks to Chile. The trucks are on site at Centinela and currently (May 2022) in the commissioning phase. We anticipate deploying the trucks in the upcoming weeks. This investment reinforces our commitment to Chile, an important part of Thiess’ growth plans in South America.

How is the Hydra consortium, including Thiess, working to replace the use of diesel in high-tonnage vehicles with hydrogen?

The Hydra consortium is looking into alternative fuels, such as hydrogen, and fuel combinations like hydrogen-electric. Thiess’ involvement in the developmental project is part of our commitment to drive more sustainable mining practices. We are also involved in other initiatives, exploring alternative fuel sources that could serve as a catalyst to reducing the carbon footprint of our own fleets and allowing us to help clients reach their own carbon emission reduction goals.

The cost of fuel has been a significant challenge over the last year. To counter this, we have worked to maximize operational efficiency, minimizing idle time, or non-effective uptime, with our fleet. Thiess is currently participating in trials to reduce diesel fuel consumption in Australia, which could also have a significant impact.

Can you give examples of the latest innovations Thiess is working with which are improving productivity and increasing safety at mine sites?

Technology plays an important role in improving both safety and productivity, which go hand in hand. Statistically, operations with the safest workplaces are the most productive. Technology supports the decision-making process of workers, and at the end of the day, it’s still people who operate equipment and make decisions on site. Our approach is to combine technology with training to aid transformation in mining, which is increasingly important as we see ore grades decline. Autonomy also plays a role in this. For example, Thiess operates autonomous and semi-autonomous dozer and drill fleets in Australia, and later this year, we will deploy our first autonomous truck fleet, also in Australia. We are seeking out the right opportunities with the right clients in Chile to deploy similar technologies here, which will help reduce the number of people on site, particularly in high altitude areas.

What is Thiess’s approach to fostering strong social relations with local communities and attracting a more diverse workforce?

Focusing on improvement through ESG initiatives is crucial to the success of the mining industry. Many of our employees come from the outlying communities in which we operate and, as a company, we must be good stewards by offering fair, healthy and sustainable working conditions and development opportunities for our people. Furthermore, as an industry we have a responsibility to ensure enough of the benefits earned from mining serve the communities and countries that generate them. In northern Chile Thiess participates in scholarship programs to train locals and equip them with the tools and skills they need to gain sustainable employment and support their families.

We have made a dedicated effort to train women in the north of Chile, including a multi-year apprenticeship program, which we are initiating in 2022 in partnership with local technical institutes. Later this year, Thiess will open a new innovation, training and technology center in La Negra, Antofagasta, which will focus on preparing skilled maintenance personnel. The facility will also serve as an operational training center with technologies that can help develop new skill sets

What are the main themes you see impacting the mining services segment in 2023?

Thiess’ new vision, launched in May 2022, outlines our commitment to developing our people, utilizing new technology, and driving the industry toward more sustainable resource solutions. We see alternative fuels play a key part in this transition and are actively working to minimize our carbon footprint.

Another major shift comes from the implementation of autonomous equipment to increase safety on site by removing operators from high exposure mining environments. This creates a workplace with greater fatigue management and supports retention through opportunities to upskill and work with the latest technology in the industry.

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Article: Going Underground