Minera Centinela, a subsidiary of Antofagasta Minerals (AMSA) group, has launched a new 100% electric fleet consisting of 50 pickup trucks and eight mining equipment units for the Esperanza Sur copper mine. This initiative makes Centinela the mining company in Chile with the largest fleet of electric trucks.
The electric pickup trucks, branded Voltera, have a range of 403 km and can carry up to 900 kg. They were specifically designed for the mining sector and have shown positive results in terms of environmental benefits and performance. The mining equipment, however, comprised BEVs from China’s XCMG.
This move aligns with Antofagasta Minerals’ climate change strategy, aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Minera Centinela has already transitioned to 100% renewable electricity sources since 2022 and operates solely with seawater since the beginning of 2023.
In addition to the electric fleet, the company has implemented various sustainable innovations, including the use of thickened tailings technology and a solar thermal plant for heating solutions in its production process.
Source: INTERNATIONAL MINING
Image Source: Voltera Chile