CMP and ENGIE test operation of Chile’s first natural gas-powered extraction truck

Through an alliance signed in 2022, the companies began a four-month pilot program aimed at significantly reducing emissions at Mina Los Colorados.

Compañía Minera del Pacífico (CMP) and ENGIE Chile took an important step in the energy transition of large mining companies. This is the first load of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to a 220-ton CAEX extraction truck, starting a pilot period of its use in Los Colorados Mine, located in Huasco, Atacama region.

The mining company’s high-tonnage equipment was modified with a conversion kit to implement an innovative dual fuel system, using mainly liquefied natural gas and, to a lesser extent, diesel. In this way, the truck is expected to reduce CO2 emissions 15% to 25% and particulate matter (PM) emissions by 25% to 35%.

The truck will remain in pilot phase for four months, during which time both companies will analyze the operation and performance of the truck using this new fuel system. Among the main points to be evaluated are the substitution of natural gas for diesel, the reduction of CO2 and PM emissions, and its productivity and physical availability, among others.

Looking to the future with respect to this proposal, Carlos Gómez, CMP’s Project Manager, indicated that “in line with our decarbonization plan, we hope that the results will be positive and that they will allow us to visualize a much larger project, modifying the entire fleet of CAEX trucks at Mina Los Colorados. If we achieve this milestone, we would obtain a significant reduction in emissions, equivalent to taking 1,513 cars off the road”.

On the other hand, from ENGIE, its Gas Product Manager, Andrés Peragallo, said: “CMP and ENGIE aim to meet the global goals that both companies have, and that we have as a country, in line with the decarbonization of production processes. For the same reason, the use of natural gas in CAEX is fundamental, being the first time it is applied in Chile, both in the gas industry and in mining, which we hope to extrapolate to more truck fleets and other mobility applications”.

CMP added that this project represents a significant step towards the decarbonization of large-scale mining in Chile and marks a path to follow in the industry, where the company plays an active role in the application of technology and innovation in this field.