Energía Llaima (Las Condes, Chile) and Sunmark A/S (Svendborg, Denmark) have begun construction of a solar thermal plant to support a mining operation in Northern Chile
Energía Llaima (Las Condes, Chile) and Sunmark A/S (Svendborg, Denmark) have begun construction of a solar thermal plant to support a mining operation in Northern Chile, which they say will be the largest plant of its type in the world.
The Pampa Elvira solar thermal plant will supply process heat for the copper extraction process at Codelco’s Gaby Mine in Sierra Gorda, Antofagasta Region. The companies expect to commission the USD 26 million plant during the second half of 2013.
“Chile is a mining nation and as such has many challenges,” stated Chilean Minister of Mines Hernan de Solminihac. “One of these is the generation of clean, sustainable energy.”
“Like the government, we are determined to build and promote all instances of this type of energy.”
Plant to replace 85% of diesel used in copper extraction
The Chilean Ministry of Mines estimates that the plant will produce 51.8 GWh-thermal of energy, enough to replace 85% of the diesel currently used in the copper electro-extraction process at the Mine.
A ceremony marking the beginning of construction of the plant was attended by Prince Frederick and Princess Mary of Denmark, during their visit to the mine.
