With proven experience delivering cost-effective projects under lumpsum EPC contracts, Ausenco was selected to lead the engineering, procurement, construction, and production ramp-up to nameplate for a copper concentrator plant and related infrastructure - including the expansion of the desalination plant and the tailings dam - at the Mantoverde Development Project in Chile.
The Challenge
This world-class project in the Atacama region represents a strategic development in the global copper market. It is one of two primary projects Mantos Copper currently has underway in the region, focused on increasing production, reducing costs, and extending the life of its current operations.
Mantos Copper sought a partner who had the right experience and innovation to deliver a 31,600 t/day copper concentrator plant and all related infrastructure to support and enable expanded operations with guaranteed performance and price certainty.
The Better Way
Challenging earlier iterations of the concentrator plant design, our team found a better way to achieve cost efficiencies by relocating the primary crusher, redesigning the stockpile reclaim tunnel, revising tailings handlings, and optimizing grinding and flotation processes.
By reducing earthworks excavation requirements and the overall plant footprint and building heights, we were able to reduce capital and operating costs for Mantos Copper. Our efficient and optimised design is expected to reduce the environmental impact of the project including reduced carbon emissions.
Drawing on our global expertise we assembled the strongest and most efficient team to support the 36-month project during its development. The project will be led from our Chile office of more than 650 employees with the support of our technical experts located in Australia and Canada.
Redefining what’s possible, we look forward to safely delivering an exceptional project to Mantos Copper and all of its stakeholders. Upon completion in 2024, Mantoverde will produce 110,000 t/y of copper and 33,000 oz/y of gold during the first 7 years of the project’s 20 year life.
Status (as of November 2021)
Currently 160 Ausenco team members are on the project – 120 in our Santiago office and 40 on-site. In November, the 60% engineering completion milestone was achieved and the bulk earthworks and tailings storage facility contractor began mobilisation to site. In December, bulk earthworks activities begin and first concrete will be produced at the batch plant.
The EPC contract for the expansion of the desalination plant has been awarded, and purchase orders have been made for the major equipment for this facility. December will see the awarding of two major construction contracts: The Dry Plant CSMPEI (Civil, Structural, Mechanical, Piping, Electrical and Instrumentation) and The Wet Plant CSMPEI, which includes the EPC for the Truck Shop.
The expansion of the Operations Camp (at the mine site) is near completion (occupancy in December) and the Construction Camp at El Salado will be ready for occupancy in January.