Sandvik perspective

El Teniente, located in the Chilean Andes, is one of the largest underground copper mines on the planet. It is also one of the most complex, with many geotechnical challenges. By using automated solutions, the mine has significantly improved safety and productivity. Now, together with Sandvik, state-owned company Codelco is creating the mine of the future. In the next few years, the goal is for El Teniente to only have automated trucks and loaders.

Max Planck once said that “science advances one funeral at a time”. His point was that for any progress to be made in scientific endeavours, old thinking must be put to rest. Such is the case with electrification. Dr Nesimi Ertugrul, an associate professor at the University of Adelaide’s School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, shares his thoughts on why the time is ripe for the change to electric at mine sites.