| (La Tercera) One thing is evident today in mining industry: companies are accelerating their development and expansion plans to tap the boom in commodities. Along with that, one fact is clear from the last time: the boom of projects could become a threat to the industry. The high demand for equipment and machinery sector key is creating a shortage of these supplies worldwide. Businesses already receiving an increased cost for that effect, warning that the stage may slow business growth.
"We're seeing a fairly significant increase in demand for mining equipment and services that are relevant to the activity. The processing time of various products is widespread and there may be some problems in the supply chain, "said Miguel Angel Durán, president of the Mining Council.
The shortage could be similar to that experienced in 2007 and 2008, when heavy machinery manufacturers were surprised to double the demand, raising costs for such products and delayed production. "We are returning to the peaks of peak demand, when there were shortages and rising costs. Therefore, we are carefully watching developments in this scenario, "said the executive.
The issue has been addressed repeatedly in the Supply Committee of the Mining Council. "There are U.S. $ 55 billion in the pipeline to develop in the coming years and hopefully this will not put the investment in check," he adds.
trucks and tires
Two key pieces are mine sites: trucks and tires. Both products now have an over.
"The demand has grown 30%. Later this year, we will have a potentially serious situation of shortage of tires, "says Felipe Herrera, manager of Goodyear's OTR fleet Chile. "The new truck tires will not drop," he adds.
The number of projects that have been activated since the last quarter of last year on the lights. "Until October 2010 there was no problem to meet the requirements because, due to international crisis, demand fell in 2009 and accumulated inventories for eight to 12 months," he says. But with the high price of copper and other metals, mining began planning new purchases and the factories increased their production in equal measure.
Mining companies that have supply contracts are assured of their consumption, but companies that lack them will find it difficult to find suppliers. "We have sold the entire 2011 and part of 2012," says Herrera. Adds that even they are taking orders for 2013 and 2015. As a result of increased demand and tight supply, tire prices have risen between 8% and 15%.
For trucks and hydraulic excavators, the scenario is no different. Andrés Aguirre, vice president of Komatsu Mining for Latin America, explains that "la demanda por camiones, palas hidráulicas y equipos de apoyo ha crecido entre 30% y 40% en el último año, y los plazos de entrega se han ampliado". Pone un ejemplo: "Si en 2009 el plazo de entrega de un camión en fábrica era de seis meses, hoy ese tiempo es el doble y mañana puede llegar a 18 meses".
Frente a eso, las fábricas de EE.UU. y Alemania están ampliando su capacidad en 20%. "Tenemos todo el 2011 vendido en camiones y palas. El año pasado teníamos márgenes para recibir nuevas órdenes", añade el ejecutivo. La compañía está recibiendo pedidos para tres y cuatro años más, accurate.
Increased demand comes not only from Chile. Komatsu received a purchase order for nearly 100 teams from Peru. "It is likely that in 2011 and 2012 have a significant narrowing," said Aguirre. It also provides higher costs. Concern
mining Mining companies are taking steps to address a scenario set. "We have to anticipate and to place orders early to ensure quotas. That we're doing in Chuquicamata and El Teniente. We need to allocate some contracts then, because if we delay a lot, we may have difficulty finding companies and could delay projects, "said Diego Hernandez, chief executive of Codelco.
To do this, have to approve funding for what are called "early works." The executive sees a rise in costs of at least 10% in some equipment and machinery. "We are watching with concern that it is repeating the scenario of tight supply that was before the crisis," says Hernandez.
Barrick also in providing a stage set. "We are reviewing our acquisitions on an ongoing basis and defining new terms of purchase as well as by reviewing of our maintenance programs to ensure the production, if delays occur, "the company said.
Source / La Tercera |
mine development boom creates shortages and rising costs in machinery and equipment 
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