Metso says it has completed the expansion of its service centre in Antofagasta, Chile, reinforcing its ability to meet the challenges of an increasingly demanding mining industry.
The expansion adds an additional 1,200 sq.m of operational capacity, totalling 4,800 sq.m of technical workspace.
Strategically located in the La Negra industrial district, at the heart of northern Chile’s mining area, the service centre has tripled its technical-commercial agreements in recent years, becoming a key strategic partner for major mining companies in the country, Metso says. It is built to serve as a trusted partner in driving reliability, ensuring operational continuity and optimising costs for the country’s leading mining operations.
Leonardo Osorio, Vice President, Services Project Delivery, South America, Metso, said: “Our service centre in Antofagasta, which has been operational since 2013, has become a benchmark in technical support for large-scale mining in northern Chile. The expansion enables us to work on multiple critical pieces of equipment, reduce lead times and improve availability for our customers. The investment, which was announced in 2023, is a testament to our commitment to staying close to our customers and providing concrete solutions to the address the mining industry’s needs.”
The expansion includes new infrastructure and state-of-the-art technology to service large-scale equipment with greater speed, safety and reliability.
Following the expansion, the centre is now equipped to repair and refurbish large-scale equipment including HRC™ and HPGR (High Pressure Grinding Roll) units, Vertimill® grinding technology and HIG mills for mining customers. It also supports beneficiation and dewatering technologies, such as filter plate pack service offerings. In addition, the centre provides service capabilities for mining crushers, grinding mills, screens and car dumpers.
Within the expansion scope, Metso has installed an overhead crane with a lifting capacity of up to 140 t and a high-precision vertical lathe capable of handling parts up to 5 m in diameter. The crane, which is among the largest in South America, will be used alongside the vertical lathe to minimise equipment transport needs, decrease turnaround times and support local service operations, it says.
The Antofagasta service centre offers reconditioning, repair, assembly and parts manufacturing services under strict OEM standards. Its focus on quality and safety has led to milestones such as completing 100 screen repairs with zero accidents.
