- With an autonomy of over 200 kilometers and weighing 28 tons, the first electric mining truck in Chile will operate in the SQM mines in the Antofagasta Region, with the goal of testing the technology and progressively replacing high-tonnage diesel trucks.
Santiago, April 20, 2023.- Within the framework of the National Business Meeting (ENADE), Enel X and SQM presented the “E-Truck,” the first high-tonnage, 100% electric mining truck to operate at the SQM work sites in the Antofagasta Region.
The new “E-Truck” for mining, manufactured by Yutong and weighing in at 28 tons, will run an 86-km route from the Coya Sur plant in María Elena, to the Port of Tocopilla. It is estimated that it will run 7,500 kilometers every month and save 12 tons of CO2 emissions each year.
This project looks to test the autonomy of electric mining trucks and their constructive work capacity to yield the same performance as a conventional diesel mining truck of similar characteristics. It will also validate the operation of the truck and its high-power charging infrastructure, and how it adapts to the plant's regular operating schedules, work sites, and response to the area's salty environment.
To purchase this electric truck, Enel X and SQM developed a financial leasing model and the installation of one 150kW charging station, the only one in Chile, which offers a full charge in just three hours. The charging infrastructure will be installed in the Coya Sur plant in María Elena, guaranteeing an autonomy of over 200 kilometers.
“The incorporation of the first high-tonnage electric mining truck represents a new milestone in the development of electromobility in Chile, that we are proud to lead along with our partners at SQM. This step is a fundamental part of advancing towards an increasingly clean energy matrix, which will also contribute to the decarbonization and electrification of the country’s main production sector,” says Karla Zapata, CEO of Enel X.
Rodrigo Jasen, Global Logistics Manager highlights that “this initiative is framed within our Corporate Sustainability Plan which considers environmental commitments to become a carbon neutral company by 2040. For us, this is an important milestone as one of the global leaders in the production of lithium, as a key input for the development of electromobility. We are also key players in other products that contribute to a better quality of life, including iodine, fertilizers, and solar salts for the production of clean energy. We have made strides in different projects such as the installation of an off-grid EV charging station in the Antofagasta Lithium Chemical Plant, a high-power charging station in Coya Sur, electric trucks and buses across different work sites, and the incorporation of electric mobile maintenance workshops, to become pioneers in the national mining sector.”
The project's successful operation consolidates both companies’ efforts to incorporate electric solutions within different types of processes, but especially in transport, which will be performed progressively, collecting lessons learned and the necessary adaptations to move forward in the medium-term in the electrification of the entire SQM and mining fleet.
About Enel X
Enel X Chile offers an ecosystem of solutions to transform energy into new opportunities across different sectors, in relation to smart public lighting projects, energy efficiency, charging infrastructure for electromobility, distributed generation, energy efficiency solutions in public institutions, industrial companies, and also for the mass market (residential). Every Enel X solution is aimed at meeting the objectives of decarbonization, electrification, and digitalization based on sustainable and innovative actions to benefit cities, companies, and people.
About SQM
SQM has worked for 53 years from the north of Chile to deliver solutions for human progress through its 5 lines of business. Its products are essential to the healthcare, food & drink, and technology industries, and the generation of clean energies around the world.
It is a company built and managed by a culture based on excellence, safety, sustainability, and integrity, which looks to position itself as a leader in sustainability to create a “green” brand through continuous efforts to responsibly manage natural resources, protect the environment, build close relationships and trust with our neighboring communities through the creation of shared social value.