A critical piece of equipment for mining operations is the so-called “Rocky” machines: they clean the railway tracks where the mineral is transported, collecting rocks and elements that obstruct the passage of locomotives and cars, thus avoiding derailments.

At Codelco El Teniente Division they know this well and at the Transport level, at the Esmeralda mine, they wanted to go further: they took one of these teams that was out of service due to failures and transformed its diesel power supply to 100% electric.

After designing the engineering, the team's intervention began in March of last year. “We practically started from scratch, we manufactured the entire system again. We used resources and components that we had here, such as spare parts for the locomotives, for example,” explains José Valenzuela, an expert mechanical maintenance technician.

After tests in the workshop, at the end of last year they carried out the final test, which they successfully passed and which has the new electric “Rocky” working in the area. “It was exciting, we were all waiting for it to work and everything went as we wanted. We had a trial run in which we adjusted some things, but we solved them along the way,” says the mechanical maintenance technician, Rodrigo Neira.

More sustainable, fewer failures, lower cost maintenance

The transformation of this equipment to 100% electric eliminates gas emissions and, compared to diesel, emits less noise, vibrations and heat.

“We lowered the decibels, we reduced pollution and that is what we as Codelco are looking for, sustainable mining with less environmental impact,” says José Valenzuela. “In addition, there have been far fewer failures, it is very difficult for this type of engine to fail. Less maintenance resources are also required, since it is not necessary to change filters, oil or coolant. The cost is approximately 20% less.”

“It was a great experience, with a lot of learning, where we were trained and where all the colleagues supported us, even from other levels, and they were giving ideas, which allowed us to move forward and accomplish this task,” added Luis González, electrical maintenance technician.

The Head of Unit, Rodrigo Cid, adds: “There was an immense sacrifice on the part of the workers, who also invested personal time, because they came to investigate at home, to instruct themselves, to learn, to solve the problems that, finally, they were able to solve, also with the support of the Mine Maintenance Management.”