Compañía Minera del Pacífico(CMP) and ENGIE Chile started a project to test the first natural gas extraction truck. The operation of a 220-ton CAEX extraction truck, powered by liquefied natural gas and deployed in mining sites.
The potential of the natural gas extraction truck
At the Los Colorados Mine, located in the Atacama region, the first tests of the truck equipped with a dual fuel supply system were carried out . This engine was modified to use mainly LNG and, in this way, to take advantage, to a lesser extent, of the use of diesel. use of diesel. .
[post_relacionado]This initiative aims to reduce between 15% and 25% of the CO₂ emissions generated in each project. In addition, to achieve a 25% and 35% reduction of particulate matter (PM), improving the environmental outlook in Chilean mining.
For the next four months, the truck will remain in pilot phase, a period in which both companies will evaluate its operation and performance. In addition, other important aspects, such as analyzing the effective substitution of diesel for LNG, the reduction of polluting emissions and the productivity of the vehicle as well as its physical availability.
An optimistic outlook for the Chilean mining industry
The results of this project will be fundamental in defining the future of other mining initiatives in the country. The words of CMP’s Project Manager, Carlos Gómez, indicated: “We estimate that the result [uso del camión] will be positive, in order to visualize and measure each project with higher productivity, improving the CAEX truck fleets of Mina Los Colorados. If this historic milestone were achieved, the result would be a reduction in carbon emissions equivalent to the equivalent of 1513 cars passing through the plant.“.
ENGIE’s Gas Product Manager, Andres Peragallo, detailed the joint commitment to decarbonization: “CMP and ENGIE aim to meet global and national goals in this area. The use of LNG in CAEX is essential and our vision is to extrapolate it to more trucks and other transport applications.“.
Follow us on social networks and don’t miss any of our publications!
Inspenet.com YouTube LinkedIn Facebook Instagram X
Source and photo: ENGIE Chile