| (CHILEAN MINING) A feature of the mining industry is that minerals are extracted in place of the world, but are required in another distant. This implies an optimal transportation logistics. In this context, it has traditionally been emphasized the favorable location of Chile, which has nearly 5,000 kilometers of coastline and large mineral deposits within walking distance from the sea, thus facilitating a close relationship between shipping and the country's mining sector.
As is clear from CHILEAN MINING magazine article, April issue each year is shipped thousands of tons of products such as copper or zinc concentrate, copper cathodes and anodes derived from boron and lithium, among others. According Cochilco in 2010 were shipped 5,442,100 tons of copper, especially China and Japan, but also United States and Europe to be used in foundries and manufacturing processes of those territories. And faced with a growing demand from mining, ports have expansion projects or acquisitions of new equipment such as cranes and others.
strategic location
most important ports for mining are located in northern Chile. Here he Antofagasta for its strategic location and proximity to several large copper mines. From there he transferred various mineral products, but also inputs and machinery, such as trucks or hoppers.
El Puerto de Antofagasta transfers recorded in 2010 by 1,116,003 tons of cathodes and 226,779 tons of concentrate, which is half of the total load of this site for release. Among the clients are large mining companies such as Escondida (which also has its own site offices in Coloso), Codelco, Esperanza, Xstrata Copper, El Abra and Zaldívar, among others. In addition, this port is exported important part of zinc and lead concentrate from the San Cristobal mine in Bolivia, reaching 243,577 tons last year.
As the owner of the fiscal area is the Port of Antofagasta (EPA), the concessionaire Antofagasta Terminal Internacional (ATI) administers the docking area where year after number 2 years managed to increase the charge transferred, a figure that in 2010 even reached 2,700,000 tons and is expected to maintain this year. At this point, is responsible for 96% of the total charges from the port. In this regard, the general manager of the company, Gaston Bastías, said that the terminal has been reaffirmed as a strategic alternative to the regional market, especially the miner.
Given the increase in load transfer, ATI acquired a modern port crane Gottwald GHMK model 6407 which meant an investment of $ 5 million. This equipment arrived in February and specializes in serving a Post Panamax ships, the second to be built with this feature. In
story projects, the company considers an expansion of 40 meters from the site 7 with their respective areas of support and seismic stabilization of the site 6, with an investment of $ 14 million. Mussels
North of Antofagasta, and steps from the town of Mejillones, in the last 15 years has developed a large port and industrial center drawn by a bay with 20 miles of coastline protected from the tides and winds South.
Among the many firms in this area, highlights Puerto de Mejillones (50% Neltume Investments, a subsidiary of Ultramar, and 50% for Constructora Belfi). Society began operations 1995 with the discharge of coal for Edelnor (now E-CL), and then in 1996 was supplemented with sulfuric acid through Terminal Mejillones SA currently download petcoke and coal and also embark zinc and lead concentrates from of Minera San Cristobal, Bolivia.
Puerto Mejillones in 2010 grew by 17% load transfer, due to increased operations of sulfuric acid and carbon. To consolidate these results, the company is making an investment exceeding $ 30 million to build five storage tanks of sulfuric acid, which means increase storage capacity of 100,000 to 200,000 tons. As indicated by the general manager of Port of Mejillones, Emilio Bouchon, new structures respond to the demands of the mining sector.
Puerto Angamos (Neltume-Overseas-Group, Investment and Construction and Investment Belfi Great North Port) is the concessionaire of Terminal 1, which belongs to a subsidiary of Codelco, Mejillones Port Complex. Last year closed with a total of 2,238,236 tons of transfers, taking about 300 ships, which corresponded to 61% copper from Codelco and private mining companies such as BHP Billiton.
"These results confirm the importance they reached Puerto Angamos for mining. We are the largest terminal in the northern copper, and that is because our customers have appreciated our offer and the advantages of Mejillones Bay, "said Emilio Bouchon, also general manager of the port.
Anticipating the growing demand was announced in January to buy a new mobile crane brand Gottwald (model GHMK 8410) for $ 5 million. It has a range of 56 meters and is capable of lifting 100 tons, which will serve ships on 300 meters in length. is projected to be operational in June 2011.
Puerto Angamos also has a subsidiary, the new Bulk Terminal del Norte (TGN) that seeks to discharge the coal and limestone through a site 220 meters long and a maximum length of 14.4 meters. The landing is done with two Liebherr cranes CBG 35/32 of 1,500 tph each, and a tubular conveyor belt. The installed capacity of TGN is to transfer up to 4,200,000 tons.
is 100% operational on January 15, 2011 and is expected to transfer 1.03 million tons this year. At its operational peak around TGN transfer of 1,800,000 tons per year. Initially the only customer is Angamos Utility, however, has the capacity and future developments to meet new clients such as the planned site 2 for the shipment of concentrates.
Tarapacá
transferred Iquique registered 2,729,270 tons in 2010, however, mining products do not have the same weight in Antofagasta. Héctor Mardones, business assistant manager of the Port of Iquique (EPI), states that the port "shipped annually about 200,000 tons of refined copper cathodes, and during 2011 will be added some 300,000 tons of copper concentrate. In addition, mineral transfer metal not specifically relate to sulfur (70,000 tonnes / year) and nitrate (30,000 tons per year. Among the mining companies in the region include Collahuasi, Cerro Colorado, Quebrada Blanca, Cosayach and Soquimich, among others.
In response to growth projected EPI in 2011 to begin construction of two projects to expand areas, which will result in an additional increase of 35,000 m2 to 2016. "Both projects meet their approved environmental impact statements, and considered investment is approximately U.S. $ 4.5 million to be financed with equity of the company and by others to be awarded a grant," says Marden.
The port has two terminals, of which one is being operated under single-mode operator for Iquique Terminal Internacional (ITI). In the Terminal 2 is transferred almost 80% of the total charge of the port and in 2010 moved a total of 190,000 tons of copper cathodes in storage containers or bound ship.
According to industry expectations, ITI expects to grow between 5% and 7%, says the assistant manager of operations, Juan Escobar. That is why in February this year has started operation of a fourth type crane Gottwald HMK Post Panamax 6407 with a lifting capacity of 100 tons, plus the expansion of the site 4 on 69 meters. "This spacecraft will serve more manga and capacity," said the executive, adding that this year will work on aseismic strengthening of site 3, which will give a capacity of greater stability to the dock before the event of an earthquake.
Arica
Another relevant port is Arica in the north, from where they are transferred annually about 250,000 tons of mining products of zinc, silver and lead, among others, mostly from Bolivia. Today this country is the largest customer with more than 70% of more than two million tons moved every year.
"In the past four years the port has been growing at an average rate of 15%, therefore, projections for 2011 are positive," said Francisco Javier González, Chairman of Empresa Portuaria de Arica. Therefore, also has expansion projects to improve the port area yields concourses use storage and thus the transfer, according to the executive says.
worth mentioning that the port of Arica has been serving Collahuasi after the mining had to stop shipments at the port of Punta Patache because of an accident last December that killed three workers. Ports
miners
Some mining companies have chosen to have their own offshore, as Minera Los Pelambres, which has a terminal in Punta Chungo north of Los Vilos. This is exclusively for the shipment of copper concentrate produced by the company, and from there last year 1,143,040 tons were shipped.
According to Punta Chungo port manager, Fernando Garay, there are currently two main projects: the construction of the system for receiving sewage from motorboats on the shiploader and expansion of the existing stock pile of 78,000 to 120,000 TMH.
also Minera Dona Ines de Collahuasi has its own shipping terminal at Punta Patache, some 65 kilometers south of Iquique. From there he moved to international markets for copper and molybdenum products coming from the mine. Usually, each month are sent four to six ships with capacities between 10,000 and 40,000 tons. The
relevant is the proper functioning of these ports to the mining sector was evidenced by what happened last December when it halted activities in Punta Patache following a structural flaw in the charging system that cost the lives of three workers the contractor FLSmidth. For several weeks Collahuasi has been forced to stop shipments, causing losses.
However, thanks to good port infrastructure in northern Chile, were able to reach agreements for the dispatch from nearest facilities in Arica, Iquique and Antofagasta.
Another important ore port Colossus, Minera Escondida, located in the extreme south of Antofagasta. There products are shipped of copper concentrates that come through two mineral slurry from the mine. In this there is the peculiarity that there is also a desalination plant central zone
While most of the mining loads are shipped in the north central area also has important ports for foreign trade country in Valparaiso, San Antonio and Windows.
Valparaiso last year raised a total of 10,151,122 tons of general cargo and 878,000 containers (measured in TEUs or 20-foot containers). "In 2010 we had a steady demand for services, product recovery of the economy and foreign trade, which had a explosive increase in December with the arrival of 26 ships that were not seen in San Antonio by the strike at the port, "said in a statement Alfonso Mujica, president of Empresa Portuaria Valparaiso (EPV). It is worth mentioning that unlike offshore installations North, Valparaiso copper exports accounted for only 12% of the total.
For the next season is forecast for this port an average annual growth of 10% and therefore has a number of projects, including the modernization of its Terminal 2 Jetty (now operated by EPV), through a bidding process and award initiated in August 2010. This award includes construction of a new front for berthing and operation of the same infrastructure for 30 years. The new terminal will have 700 meters to the attention of two Post Panamax ships, and in its first phase includes an investment of U.S. $ 250 million in infrastructure and equipment.
For its part, the Port of San Antonio is relevant to the Division El Teniente and receives and ships the products of copper and molybdenum and sulfuric acid from the smelter Caletones. Today it has four terminals, including Front Berth Molo South, specializing in containers, is operated by San Antonio Terminal Internacional (STI), the most important player port system of San Antonio, with 769 meters of continuous pier.
suffered millions in losses after port workers in the largest section of the port, the Breakwater Terminal, to stop their work for several weeks in late 2010 for a possible bid. However, this situation has impacted positively on the terminal in Valparaiso which absorbed the brunt.
Impact of Andina and Los Bronces
The Windows port is relevant to the mining sector by their geographical proximity to the smelter windows and fields Codelco Andina (Codelco) and the Broncos (Anglo American). And the accompanying 2010 results this with 868,700 tons of copper concentrates shipped, plus gold and zinc concentrates and 319,000 tons of sulfuric acid from the Ventanas smelter.
be recalled that both Andean and The bronzes have ambitious expansion plans which implies an increase in copper production. To face this situation, it is anticipated Windows installation on a new winery AngloAmerican concentrate storage capacity of 60,000 tons, considering the end of construction in early 2012. It also is being studied the acquisition of two new cranes fixed port type Level Luffing (pantograph) capable of discharge of 850 tph and a range of 45 meters. Assessment is also acquiring a new bulk loading equipment for the site 3.
Support Services:
Side by side with the port
While port companies own the land and manage the terminal and berth fronts, the activity requires numerous services such as shipping itself, handling loading and storage in soil. These usually are delivered by different suppliers.
Ultraport is one of these firms, with strong presence in Chile and 30 years of experience in the port. Is present in almost all ports and terminals linked to mining throughout the country as Arica, Iquique, Puerto Angamos, Mejillones, Antofagasta, Puerto Coloso (Escondida), Punta Chungo (Minera Los Pelambres), Valparaiso and San Antonio, among others.
Its services include the transfer, receipt and dispatch of mineral products and chemical loading and unloading of ships, operation, management and maintenance of port terminals, cargo handling in customer warehouses and inventories, and the operation and administration of courts copper. Among his clients are Codelco miners, BHP Billiton, Collahuasi, Antofagasta Minerals and Anglo American, among others. It is noteworthy that
Ultraport recently created the Industrial Services division, which offers customers the know-how acquired in various transactions involving bulk materials handling. "In this context it is starting to go" inland "this knowledge, such as maintenance of systems for transferring cargo and liquid bulk which is covered by maintenance engineering," according to the company.
Additionally, this division provides industrial cleaning services with the latest equipment technology. The main services in this area are: industrial cleaning, dust control, support services to mining and maintenance.
The Agunsa field operations, both in and out of ports, is summarized in the comprehensive management of mineral and mining finished. Its various services include storage (receiving, inventory management, shipping and cross docking), transport of inputs and / or mineral from suppliers, plant, port and airport to warehouse consolidation, product divisions, harbor or where required, arrangement of ships of maritime transport, stevedoring, port logistics, port terminal maintenance, international logistics, freight forwarding, sale and leasing of containers and modules.
With 50 years experience in port and shipping industry indirectly involved as an investor in ports, such as the International Terminal Antofagasta and Arica Port Terminal, which participates as shipping companies, parent holding company that owns Agunsa. Finally, Port Cape Froward SA, also shipping companies, delivery in Port Terminals Calbuco Colonel and services, bulk shipment of wood chips, coal unloading and unloading of raw materials for cement industry and salmon.
Agunsa is the exclusive agent for those ships calling at the terminal belonging Punta Patache Collahuasi. Since today the terminal is idle, the mining company has been shipping its concentrated by Arica and Antofagasta, and recently received authorization to embark from the Port of Iquique, where "through innovation Agunsa in the design and construction of" separators "for the berthing of vessels and two cranes with a capacity load over 100 tons, can ship more cargo volume ship faster transfer rate, indicated in the firm. Shipping
In the maritime transport there are several shipping companies linked to the Chilean mining industry. One of them is BBC Chartering, a German firm with more than 120 multipurpose vessels, with global coverage, offering transport heavy loads. For mining companies mobilized primarily equipment such as trucks, hydraulic excavators, loaders, drills, crushers, SAG mills, etc. It provides the transport of copper cathodes and anodes and concentrates in general. It currently has clients in the mining sector, plus all the major suppliers of mining machinery and engineering companies.
Jaime Gonzalez, general manager of BBC Chartering Andino said that expectations for 2011 are optimistic due to the high level of investment in mining projects to be carried out in the region (Chile and Peru). According to the executive, it will generate a flow of import of mining equipment and support for building projects. That is why BBC has an aggressive plan to build new ships for inclusion in its fleet.
Another German shipping company Beluga Shipping is a relatively young company which was founded in 1995 in Bremen, Germany. At this time your fleet includes 70 multipurpose ships which transported, for example, modules of factories, power plant components, machinery, high-volume mining and minerals.
The key segment for shipping is the Super Heavy Lift heavy loads and special, for mining offers transportation of machinery as excavators, trucks, crushers or ball mills. It also has a branch in Chile where it serves major clients such as Codelco, Xstrata, BHP Billiton and Antofagasta Minerals.
One peculiarity is that the ships multipurpose heavy lift series P1 and P2 have built-in cranes with a combined lift capacity of 800 and 1,400 tons. Thus, "independent of the infrastructure of a port, where we get our ships operate, even where there are no port facilities," they say in the company. Construction
ports
Another service that is required in the ports is the repair and construction of facilities. This can be found in Construction Propuerto, empresa que pertenece al Grupo SalfaCorp y que se especializa en la entrega de soluciones integrales para obras marítimas, lacustres y fluviales en los mercados de minería y energía, entre otros.
Propuerto data de 2001 cuando uno de sus accionistas –la Constructora Desco– fundó esta empresa para brindar un servicio más especializado al ámbito portuario. Luego, en 2008 SalfaCorp adquirió el 50% de la propiedad.
Desde sus comienzos se ha dedicado a proyectos con distintos enfoques como construcción, ampliación y reparación de muelles tanto artesanales y pesqueros como mecanizados, flotantes y graneleros a lo largo de todo Chile. Un ejemplo es el montaje de un muelle Port Patillos machining of Sociedad Punta de Lobos, and internationally the construction of Puerto Huarmey in 2001, Minera Antamina in Peru.
Transport Logistics
One is Coexco international shippers with a long career in the logistics of shipping and air transport. It handles both containerized cargo, consolidated and increased (break bulk) and from major markets on five continents.
"We offer a comprehensive logistics service that allows our clients access to a mining platform for services ranging from the activation of a purchase order, foreign trade, customs, warehousing, inventory control and distribution, achieving greater cost efficiency and delivery times, "they say in the commercial area of \u200b\u200bthe company.
Regarding his relationship with mining, detailing your portfolio of clients includes sector companies such as Anglo American and Antofagasta Minerals, among others, which carry most spares and parts for mining equipment.
For its part, acts as an operator Sitrans logistical burdens associated with serving as a supply warehouse consolidation and storage, removal of materials from suppliers, ports and airports, cargo transfer terminal (or cross docking) and transport of cargo from its nine terminals to customer tasks.
"These efforts include planning and execution of functions associated with the storage, transport and supply all kinds of loads of energy and mining industries. Sitrans logistics operation provides strategic inputs for mining such as pipes, grinding balls, oversized or overweight cargo, "says Lucas Ballivián, product manager for mining and energy.
One particular area of \u200b\u200bthe company deals with modular solutions for mining, ie, rental and sale of container fleet and processed for various uses (Offices, kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms) with turnkey including engineering, architecture, manufacturing, transport and assembly task.
Chemicals management
Many chemicals such as sulfuric acid represent strategic inputs for mining operations. Oxiquim is one of the companies engaged in the distribution of chemicals for which has two terminals themselves in the Bay of Quintero, Valparaíso Region, and the Gulf of Arauco, Bío Region. That provides services for bulk liquid transfer to and from specialized ships, storage and loading / unloading from trucks.
In 2007 formed a partnership with the largest terminal operator Vopak world for the development of a new terminal in Mejillones Bay. This Vopak Terminal Marítimo-Oxiquim opened on January 2, 2011, and offers the unloading of bulk liquids, liquid storage tanks, cargo trucks and service trucks weighing.
"The plan for 2011 is to implement the first phase of terminal expansion and thus have greater capacity to serve primarily the mining induistria," explains Claudio Arnouts, commercial manager of Vopak.
More www.mch.cl . Journal No. 358, April 2011.
Source / CHILEAN MINING |
Ports respond to mining expansion 
