Rodrigo Trevenzolli South America Director MARTIN ENGINEERING
Have you participated in any notable projects in Chile that could exemplify the work you do?
We are the main belt conveyor supplier in Chile, currently partnering on automation to optimize large-scale conveyor systems by reducing material spillage and airborne dust. We also successfully introduced our Cleanscrape and Orion Secondary cleaners, improving belts’ lifespan and worksite safety. How is Martin Engineering planning to introduce new technologies into its products?
From smart sensors embedded in our systems to remote monitoring capabilities, innovation drives how we deliver value to our customers. One of our key developments is a sealing system that increases belt lifespan by 25% to 30%, contributing directly to operational efficiency and sustainability. Additionally, we have introduced sensors that significantly reduce waste. Traditionally, our customers would change the belt’s blades every two months, with our sensor technology providing accurate, real-time data on wear levels, replacement cycles have now been extended to up to four months — optimizing resources and reducing downtime. We are also integrating data analysis into our maintenance plans, allowing for predictive maintenance instead of a reactive approach — a true game changer for operational continuity. How does Chile compare with other Latin American countries?
Chile is the world’s largest copper producer, with a skilled workforce and world-class infrastructure. However, China, Peru, and Brazil are also rapidly expanding their copper capacities, so Chile must continue to prioritize stability, invest in innovation, and strengthen workforce development to maintain its privileged position. What are Martin’s plans for growing in Chile?
To grow in Chile, our strategy is focused on being closer to our customers — both physically and operationally. That means providing longer-lasting equipment, expanding our stock, and strengthening our field presence to anticipate customer needs and support them more proactively.
Christian Pastén Cortés Regional Business Development Manager GLENCORE TECHNOLOGY
Over the past 12 months, what have been the most significant milestones for Glencore Technology?
We have aimed to support mining operations that are facing difficulties in recovering minerals that are escaping through tailings, whether these be coarse, fine, or ultra-fine particles. In Latin America, the value we have delivered in the last year has been considerable. For example, we are recovering over 4% of ultra-fine particles from Fruta del Norte in Ecuador. What sustainability and decarbonization initiatives are you implementing in Chile and Latin America?
One of our primary sustainability initiatives is the reduction of CO2 emissions and energy consumption. We have developed the Jameson Concentrator, which integrates the Jameson Cell with the IsaMill. By combining both technologies, we can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 140% and lower capital expenditures by up to 160% for both greenfield and brownfield projects. This makes the Jameson Concentrator a very competitive and successful solution today. We expect competitors to eventually follow suit and adopt similar strategies to achieve this level of efficiency. What are the main challenges facing the deployment of your technologies in Latin America?
The main challenge we face is the issue of scale. Between Chile and Peru, approximately 9 million t/y of copper are produced, and mining companies there operate at very large processing capacities. As a result, the equipment must also be scaled up significantly. A second challenge lies with local manufacturing partners. We need more specialized suppliers, both in terms of materials and the actual production of equipment. How is Glencore Technology supporting the reprocessing of old tailings?
Our technology is perfectly suited to treatment of tailings due to the small footprint, simplistic flowsheet and lower power requirement. Additionally it also produces a very high grade, washes out impurities and can recover both fine and coarse particles often unrecoverable in tank cell flotation technology.