EXECUTIVE INSIGHT LEADING THE PROFESSIONAL CHARGE
FALL 2023
ISSUE 53
Copper Way Forward
MOVING ON TO THE PRODUCTION PHASE WITH ITS FLAGSHIP COPPER PROJECT IN CHILE, QUEBRADA BLANCA 2
EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE
2
I FALL 2023
FALL 2023 I EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE
Copper Way
Forward Moving on to the production phase with its flagship copper project in Chile, Quebrada Blanca Phase 2, Canadian mining company Teck will not only have a major impact on the global supply of copper, increasingly in demand for the energy transition, but also on the life of this South American country. Varinia Aranguren, Commercial Director for the Teck QB2 Project, gave us an oversight of the project’s development, its challenges, and future expectations.
E
stablished over 100 years ago, Teck Resources Limited has grown into Canada’s leading mining company, focused on providing products that are essential to building a better quality of life for people around the globe; with operations and projects in Canada, the United States, Chile, and Peru.
3
Mining equipment solutions www.liebherr.com
A full range of mining solutions - all from one trusted source Liebherr mining equipment provides quality, reliability, and innovative technologies to ensure that mining operations are safe, time and cost efficient on every jobsite. Liebherr USA, Co. • 4800 Chestnut Avenue Newport News, VA 23607 Phone +1 757 240-4250 • Liebherr.USA@liebherr.com
Liebherr Solutions for the Mining Industry Mining operations require a variety of machines and special equipment to keep mines running efficiently, safely, and profitably. Liebherr has supported the mining industry for over 50 years through the design and manufacturing of advanced equipment solutions and by working closely with customers to provide options that add value and can be adapted to specific requirements. Quality, reliability and innovative technologies ensure that mining operations are not only safe but also time and cost-efficient at all times. A strong partner for the mining industry Liebherr offers a wide range of mining equipment and assistance systems designed to maximize the output of the operations, as well as a range of auxiliary cranes and components used to maintain and support critical infrastructure. Mining Trucks Hydraulic Excavator and Shovels Hydraulic Dozers Large Wheel Loaders Rotary Drill Rigs
Draglines Rough Terrain Cranes Tower Cranes Components: Slewing bearings, shock absorbers, engines or gearboxes
As each mine site presents a new set of challenges, both to the workforce and the equipment used on the site, Liebherr has adapted various product segments including mining, mobile cranes, tower cranes, and components to meet these evolving geographical and performance needs as demonstrated below. Mining Trucks, Excavators and Dozers in Mining Liebherr offers a full range of digging, hauling, and dozing equipment for the mining industry. These machines include excavators ranging from 100 t – 800 t, haul trucks configured for payloads of up to 375 t, and hydrostatic dozers up to 70 t. Customers can expect high levels of performance, power, and efficiency from each machine as well as spec options that add value and can be adapted to the site-specific requirements. Zero emission mining Not only does Liebherr offer a wide variety of equipment for the mining industry, but as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), Liebherr takes its environmental responsibilities incredibly seriously. Liebherr has an energy and powertrain agnostic approach to decarbonizing mining equipment to help as many customers along their emissions reduction journey as possible. When customers couple Liebherr’s electric mining excavators with renewable electricity sources, these machines can become a zero-emission solution on site. For mining trucks, Liebherr offers trolley solutions – a system that powers diesel-electric trucks by connecting them to overhead electric powerlines. When trucks are operating under trolley, they can achieve higher speed on grade and faster acceleration which can in turn lead to increased productivity, decreased energy costs per ton, and a reduced carbon footprint of the mine. Further, Liebherr is working with industry partners to integrate battery technology into mining trucks, offering a zero-emission solution. Liebherr is also working on providing engines that will run on renewable fuels such as ammonia and hydrogen. At present, Liebherr’s engines can already use hydrotreated vegetable oil as a low emission alternative to diesel. Liebherr also offers technology such as Liebherr Power Efficiency, a proprietary engine and hydraulic management system, that allows customers to significantly reduce emissions without major mine infrastructure changes. Tower cranes in mining Another adaptation developed and implemented by Liebherr includes the use of tower cranes in mining applications as the most effective solution for building and maintaining open pit mines. The advantage of Liebherr’s tower cranes is that the crane covers two cycles with one machine. First, it is installed to build an industrial structure, e.g. flotation cells, and then stays at least 30+ years in place to do the maintenance work on these cells. This concept has proven to be an economical alternative in regards to monthly operational costs, low energy, spare parts consumption, and long-term safe, reliable and emission-free operation. In most cases the mine sites are also located in harsh environments with extreme temperature fluctuations, sand storms, high altitudes, and earthquake zones. Liebherr tower cranes are adapted to perform in wind speeds up to 20m/sec and are designed to withstand earthquakes with a 30-40-year life cycle. Today, Liebherr tower cranes are successfully operating in several open-pit mines throughout the Americas including continuous tower crane service for TECK in the Quebrada Blanca mine. Liebherr is confident in repeating this success with additional tower cranes in the upcoming Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 project extension with TECK. Rough Terrain cranes in mining Liebherr rough terrain mobile cranes are also used in mining applications due to their easy transport, maneuverability, and standard safety features. The LRT 1130-2.1 mobile crane has a maximum lifting capacity of 130 t (140 USt) and was designed for high performance on rocky terrain, economical transport, and safe crane operation. The crane features very high lifting capacities and the longest telescopic boom of any 2-axle rough terrain crane in the world. The mobile crane has the most economical transport dimensions of its class and can be transported on conventional low loaders anywhere in the world, as well as easily maneuver on rocky terrain within a quarry. High safety levels were the main priority for the design of the new LRT 1130-2.1, which features such a standard outrigger monitoring system. The outrigger status, on tires or supports, is detected automatically and saved to the crane controller. The attachment of the ballast to the slewing platform and the installation of the optional double folding jib, including its angle adjustment system, are also recorded and monitored. Components for the mining industry Liebherr strives to meet the high expectations of customers by providing exceptional service and high-quality customer support as well as aftermarket sales and service of spare parts. Liebherr develops and manufactures resilient components with high availability for deployment in surface mining and deep mining. Work in stone quarries and pits is usually performed with very large machines that require particularly powerful and resilient components, whereas equipment used in mines typically requires machines with compact dimensions. In this case, Liebherr components withstand dust and dirt as well as extreme temperatures. At the same time, Liebherr components comply with the strict safety regulations that apply to deep mining. For more information, please visit https://www.liebherr.com/en/usa/products/mining-equipment/mining-equipment.html.
EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE
6
I FALL 2023
FALL 2023 I EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE
In Chile, the company currently has operations in Quebrada Blanca (QB) and Carmen de Andacollo (CDA) but its prime high-quality asset is the development at Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 (QB2), Teck’s flagship copper growth project. With the completion of QB2, Teck will double its consolidated copper production and has the potential to become one of the top 10 copper producers in the world. The QB2 project is one of the largest undeveloped copper resources in the world. QB2 has an initial mine life of 27 years with significant potential for future growth. The project incorporates extensive environmental measures, including the first large-scale use of desalinated seawater for mining in Chile’s Tarapacá Region and stringent protection of flora and fauna in the Andes. Teck holds a direct 60% interest in Quebrada Blanca, while Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd. And Sumitomo Corporation together have a collective 30% indirect interest in the mine, and ENAMI, a Chilean state agency, has a 10% non-funding interest. The Quebrada Blanca mine is located in the Tarapacá Region of northern Chile at an elevation of 4,400 metres, approximately 240 kilometres south-east of the city of Iquique and 1,800 kilometres from Santiago. Quebrada Blanca is currently an open pit operation, which leaches the ore to produce copper cathodes via processing in an SX-EW plant. Copper cathode is trucked to Iquique for shipment to purchasers. Some mine personnel live in
a camp facility, with the majority commuting from large population centres, including Iquique, Concepción, Arica, and Santiago. Teck sanctioned the start of construction for QB2 in late 2018 and since then has faced and successfully handled numerous challenges to move the project into production in 2023. Committed to succeed Varinia Aranguren who has been in QB2 since early 2019, was personally involved in making sure that the project withstands the challenges of both the global pandemic and local specifics. “It is important to mention that no owner in Chile has ever built a project the size of QB2 including all its infrastructure, i.e., a desalination plant, 154 kms. of water and concentrate pipelines from the coast all the way up to the Andes, high voltage powerlines, a tailings management facility, a concentrator, and other major infrastructure, all at once. Teck decided to move forward with the construction, as part of the company strategy to significantly increase its copper production given the metal’s critical role in the low-carbon transition. A highly successful and driven executive with extensive international experience in commercial, contracting, materials management, and procurement strategic planning, development, execution, and delivery of multi-billion mining megaprojects in Canada, Chile, Peru, Australia, Russia, Dominican Republic, amongst others. Varinia has a proven track record of working in project 7
EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE
I FALL 2023
Legacy Building Solutions Legacy Building Solutions designs, manufactures and installs fabric structures worldwide. Each custom building is designed for maximum efficiency as sports centers, entertainment venues, commodity and fertilizer storage buildings, hangars, military shelters, mining facilities, salt and sand storage, oil and gas production, port and waterways storage, industrial work and warehousing, and other uses. We strive to create long-term and rewarding relationships by partnering with each customer to design a building that meets building codes, project specifications, and your unique needs. Our in-house services allow us to provide faster, hassle-free construction in any location. Headquartered in South Haven, Minnesota, with offices in Edmonton, Alberta, and Chile, Legacy Building Solutions provides the industry’s best fabric buildings and world-class service.
development in the mining and metals industry and in operating at senior levels. She is passionate about the development and management of teams across multiple offices and locations, and with her superior management, leadership, and stakeholder management skills, she has always been set to achieve business key objectives. For a woman to make it to the top in a largely male industry is unusual, but Varinia affirmed that she has never felt restricted in any way. “I’m the second generation of a family that is
CUSTOM TENSION FABRIC STRUCTURES
VERSATILE. STRONG. INNOVATIVE Fully Customizable Fast-Track Construction In-House Engineering
• • •
Patented Attachment System Energy Efficient Corrosion Protection
1 : 201
ER
5
8
00
ISO
C
(877) 259-1528 | LEGACYBUILDINGSOLUTIONS.COM
9
• • •
D
THE LEGACY ADVANTAGE
TIFIE
FALL 2023 I EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE
working in mining. One of my most memorable trips as a child with the family was to a copper concentrator where my father was working on a project. I was truly
amazed and impressed by the sheer size of the operation, and my fate was sealed.” She added that her brother and sister have all pursued engi-
neering careers. “Even when raised in a very traditional country like Peru, my parents taught me that gender doesn’t mean restriction. All the children in
my family were encouraged to aim high and told that anything is achievable once you set your mind on it and are prepared to work hard.” 9
EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE
I FALL 2023
Revolutionizing Digitalization in the Mining Industry of the Future A primary goal of any mining plant is to increase production while minimizing costs. Nowadays, sustainability objectives such as decarbonization, energy efficiency, and water reuse have become crucial as well. So, what is the true digital transformation offered by ANDRITZ that can help you achieve all these goals? Our comprehensive services cover every aspect of your plant, starting with operator and maintenance training to prepare them for any production process. Our certified courses and simulations will elevate your teams to the next level, reducing errors and increasing productivity. Additionally, we enable you to optimize your processes and save both energy and money. For instance, and as an example, we have achieved remarkable results for a prominent company by increasing their tonnage between 2% - 7% and reducing P80 particle size variability by more than 60% on the grinding circuit. We aim to be your technological partner and help you reach your objectives. Our vision is to equip the mining industry of the future with cutting-edge technology, driving it towards a more sustainable future. Together, let’s make mining smarter, more efficient, and more cost-effective.
After graduating, Varinia’s career took off in Peru on one of the largest projects at that time, after which she progressed around the world across many countries from Australia to Russia, and in a variety of large-scale mining mega projects. She gained invaluable experience on a gold project in the Dominican Republic, an island with no tradition of mining, with significant challenges in terms of sourcing labour and materials and procurement management. “That experience is one of the many which shaped the professional that I am today and taught
AUTOMATION & DIGITALIZATION
THE FUTURE IS NOW
Digitalization, integration, and optimization of Engineering for projects (from Basic to Commissioning)
Comprehensive training, coaching, and development plans for operators and maintainers
Process control, stabilization, and optimization services
Cybersecurity
Asset management and handling services Simulation
www.andritz.com/group-en/chile-andritz/chile-andritz
10
FALL 2023 I EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE
me to be creative in solving problems in a way that would move the project forward.” Challenge turned opportunity Having moved to Vancouver in 2010, joining Teck in 2016 was a natural move, she stated. In 2019, a year before the pandemic, Varinia was seconded to QB2 in Chile, put in charge of contracts and procurement, accountable for all the contracting, purchasing and material management, traffic logistics, importing, as well as warehousing across the multiple sites. The global pandemic was challenging for
the mining industry, among others. “The virus clearly brought challenges of a different nature and magnitude. In 2020, we had 15,000 workers hired at the site and social distancing was difficult. We had to reduce the workforce down to maintain critical services, but with the aim of retaining most of the employees and contractors previously engaged. We developed robust COVID management protocols to protect employee health and safety while at the same being able to safely ramp up the workforce once it was safe to do so.” There was another
challenge that Varinia managed to handle extremely well during the pandemic, a challenge on a personal level. Before moving to Chile, she had undergone the process of enrolling herself in a very demanding Executive MBA program with the Queen’s University in Canada and Cornell University in the US. “My fear was that I would not be able to finish the courses because of the type of intense work I was doing. Still, despite all the difficult times, I managed to complete the program during the Covid-19 pandemic with support from colleagues,
friends, and family. Another achievement I am personally very proud of.” Social and environmental policies Post-pandemic, Teck has continued to drive the completion of the QB2 project, with a peak of 14,000 people working on site, per shift. But it is not all about progression and profits, says Varinia. The company stays true to its reputation as a responsible employer, with sustainability and environmental protection high on the company’s agenda. Last year, Teck was named among global 100 most sustainable corporations for the
MELON, A HIGH-QUALITY STRATEGIC PARTNER
Present in the most important mining projects in Chile, Melón Special Project has been a strategic partner in Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 (QB2) of TECK Company, guaranteeing operational continuity and excellence in safety and the environment under extreme weather conditions and long distances. in transfers to 4,500 meters above sea level. Within the highlands of the Andes Mountains in northern Chile, we produce, transport
¡We are Melón, up to the challenges!
and supply more than 300,000 M3 of concrete to the QB2 Project, equivalent to more than 42,000 trips with mixer trucks, being recognized for our performance and results in Safety and Environment with zero accidents throughout the development of the project.
11
EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE
I FALL 2023
Economía Circular
We are happy to have supported Teck in its Quebrada Blanca 2 project Tecno Fast, a leading modular construction company with more than 27 years of experience, is one of the world’s leading companies in the rental, sale and manufacturing of high-tech and design modular spaces for living and working. We stand out for delivering sustainable space solutions to improve people’s lives through innovation and design, delivering an integrated service of efficient, sustainable, resistant solutions and with the best technology in Latin America applied throughout the cycle of our products and services. We believe in the value of time, respect for the environment and the importance of efficiency and quality.
www.tecnofast.cl/en
The future is modular. “Thanks to our Tambo and Concentradora projects, more than 9,000 workers can enjoy a well-deserved rest” Tambo: 1854 people. (Period: 12-30-18 – To date) Base Concentrator: 5940 People. (Period: 06-30-19 – To date) Concentrator Expansion: 1528 People. (Period: 04-28-21 – To date) 9,322 Total Workers!
12
FALL 2023 I EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE
JOMAR LTDA. JOMAR LTDA. En su aniversario nro. 29 agradece a sus clientes por la preferencia y el gran trabajo desarrollado en estos 29 años de trayectoria en el mercado, liderando importantes proyectos en conjunto con empresas de ingeniería, tanto para para la Minería como para la industria en general. Nuestra empresa destaca por su constante innovación, desarrollando las mejores soluciones técnicas a partir de una cuidadosa selección de materias primas, cuyos proveedores han sido calificados cuidadosamente y que se integran a nuestras líneas productivas para agregar valor y contribuir a la satisfacción de las necesidades de nuestros clientes, beneficiándolos en términos de costos de operación, mantención y que a su vez, se enfocan en la sustentabilidad, ya que con todas nuestras soluciones contribuimos a reducir el impacto ambiental, a través del ahorro energético, reducción del consumo de agua y reducción de la contaminación al medio ambiente. Contamos con un equipo especialista y en constante capacitación para brindar la mejor asesoría tanto en venta directa, plataformas y en terreno. Jomar Ltda. fortalece sus relaciones comerciales con importantes clientes a nivel nacional en diversas industrias como la minería, generación de energía, plantas de tratamiento de agua, plantas de ácido, fundiciones y refinería; entre otras; a través de contratos, ventas directas y licitaciones a proyectos. Nuestros procesos están controlados en términos de Calidad, Seguridad, Salud Ocupacional y Gestión ambiental a través de un Sistema de Gestión Integrado certificado de acuerdo a los estándares internacionales ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018. En nuestra búsqueda constante de facilitar la comunicación, hemos desarrollado nuevos canales que nos permiten atender las solicitudes y consultas a través de nuestra página web www.jomar.cl y redes sociales como linkedin.
WE ARE PRECEDED BY OUR 29 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE LEADING THE SUPPLY FOR MINING AND GENERAL INDUSTRY Strategic supplier QBII Project for Piping, Pumps, Hoppers and Chutes lines. Gaskets- Kit InsulationsSpiralwound-Expansion Joints - Anti-Stick Coatings TIVAR 88® for solids handlingfor bulk solids handling - sealing kit for agitators in flotation cells. Phone: 227335004 Email: ventas@jomar.cl El totoral #801 Quilicura, Stgo. Chile
www.jomar.cl 13
EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE
I FALL 2023
fifth consecutive year and was the first mining company globally to set a goal of becoming nature positive. “For Teck, working to become nature-positive means that by 2030, our conservation, protection and restoration of land and biodiversity will exceed the disturbance caused by our mining activities from a 2020 baseline.” The company announced that some 5,800 ha of a unique and high-value wetland ecosystem near Teck’s Quebrada Blanca Operations will be protected in partnership with the Ollagüe Quechua community. The initiative is the first of its kind in Chile. QB2 project had a peak of 33,000 people working during its manufacturing and construction phases alone and will create quite a large number of permanent jobs once in production. Now that we’re ramping down, the expectation remains that Quebrada Blanca operations will be creating some 3500 permanent direct and undirect jobs in the industry.” “Teck´s Social Management and HR teams have also implemented a number of programmes and projects with our communities, such as the ‘Choose to Grow’ plan, aimed at empowering talent within the area to train 14
FALL 2023 I EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE
15
EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE
16
I FALL 2023
FALL 2023 I EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE
Choose to Grow’ plan, aimed at empowering talent within the area to train them and attract them to work for us.
17
EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE
I FALL 2023
them and attract them to work for us.” Furthermore, the operations team has recently reached 28% of female employees. Ramping up to production Summarising her 7 years working for the company, Varinia affirms that she feels very proud to belong to Teck and super proud to be part of the QB2 project. “I’m also very proud of the team that I basically built from scratch. They have been really hard-working, achieving excellent results, and we are creating wonderful career opportunities for them in our copper pipeline of projects.” She further pointed out that Chile is a very special place in terms of human resources, with its skills in mining. “Very few people realise for just how many years Chile has been building mine sites. Chile is one of the countries with a long history in copper mining, one that started in 1870. Obviously, the pool of professionals in this field is huge and highly qualified. On the other hand, we are not the only company mining here, and our peers in the industry are numerous. We have, of course, locals working in QB2 but our teams are very diverse, with a lot of other nationalities as well.” Going forward, she reflected that Teck has an industry-leading corporate copper growth pipeline of unrivalled suite of growth projects, not only in Chile, but also in other well-established mining countries around the world where the company is working. “In terms of QB2, the expectation is that we will be fully ramped up this year. “QB2 really takes us to the next level. It is a deposit that has the potential for future growth for generations.” In concluding, she emphasises that the credit for the construction of this mega-project goes to the people, who work tirelessly on shift at 4,400 metres above sea level (and some 50m underwater). “Our workers deserve all credit and in terms of dedication we respect each and every one of them. Working remotely on shift, away from their families, they have been absolutely amazing, making the QB2 project a global success.” 18
Working remotely on shift, away from their families, they have been absolutely amazing, making the QB2 project a global success.
FALL 2023 I EXECUTIVE INSIGHT MAGAZINE
19
www.teck.com
Ambersarmy.org.uk
EXECUTIVE INSIGHT LEADING THE PROFESSIONAL CHARGE
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MAGAZINE Executive Insight Magazine published by J S International Media ©2023