PECL & Bechtel tie up to expand Chile's mining sector
The Escondida Organic Growth Project (OGP1) is the largest single-line copper concentrator ever built. It is located at the Minera Escondida Limitada (MEL) complex near Antofagasta, Chile and is the operation's third concentrator, joining Los Coloradas and Laguna Seca at approximately 3,000 masl.
This work involves a new 152 ktpd (thousand tons per day) concentrator at Laguna Seca and a new coarse ore conveying system to feed the new concentrator from the ore distribution system located east of the Escondida Pit ("EOA Project"). Concentrate and tailings transport systems will be modified to suit the new capacities and plant location. Project scope also includes replacement of some of the infrastructure and service facilities at previously located at Los Colorados, as well as new water, power transmission and distribution systems, and other services required for the operation of the new plant.
PECL supported Bechtel M&M to carry out civil/steel structure engineering for ore stockpile, pebble plant, tailing thickener, lime plant and air plant, as well as all mechanical, electrical, instrument control and piping detail engineering service of utility systems.