Integrated solutions provider Tenova Takraf has secured a contract to supply the principal ore transportation system for Chile´s state-owned copper mining company Codelco’s Chuquicamata underground mine project.
The open-pit copper mine, Chuquicamata is located 1,650km north of Santiago and has been operating since 1910.
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Codelco is developing the underground mine project to access the ore body situated beneath the present open-pit mine.
The development is also aimed at extending mining operations for another 40 years.
Takraf’s new ore transportation system or belt conveyor system has the capability to overcome various technical challenges including elevation change from the underground mine to the surface.
The system consists of a variety of uphill tunnel conveyors that transport copper ore from underground storage bins and will have a number of feeder conveyors as well as an overland conveyor.
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By GlobalDataFor the Chuquicamata mine project, the conveyor system will be installed with advanced gearless drive technology, which will eliminate the need for a gearbox and minimise the number of main wear parts.
The new conveyor system also has a design capacity of more than 10,000t/h, and is available with a complex cooling system to manage and dissipate intense heat generated by the system.
Takraf CEO Dr Frank Hubrich said: "This order is another significant milestone for Takraf in the Chilean copper industry and we look forward to supporting CODELCO in their aim of being the world’s leading supplier of copper.
"Our industry-leading conveying technology and proprietary material handling equipment are widely used by customers around the world."
During March 2016, the company completed supply and installation of a bucket wheel excavator system for Zhahanaoer open pit mine in Inner Mongolia, China.
Image: The new conveyor system has a design capacity of more than 10,000t/h. Photo: courtesy of Techint Group.
