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Mining in Chile Emerging Technologies Analysis

Emerging Technologies

The Chilean mining industry, a cornerstone of the national economy and a global leader in copper and lithium production, is increasingly embracing emerging technologies to address operational challenges, boost efficiency, and enhance sustainability across its value chain. Analysis of the current landscape in 2024 and the outlook for 2025 reveals a concerted effort to leverage innovation from exploration through commercialization.

Automation and Digitalization: A pervasive trend across the mining value chain is the increased adoption of automation, robotics, and digitalization. This includes the use of autonomous equipment, integrated operations centers for remote monitoring and control, and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning for data analysis and decision-making. Companies like ABB and Schneider Electric are collaborating with mining firms to integrate process automation systems throughout the value chain, from extraction to processing, aiming to reduce manual intervention and improve consistency. BHP has notably implemented autonomous haul trucks at its Spence mine. This technological shift is seen as crucial for improving productivity, enhancing safety, and potentially reducing labor requirements.

Advanced Mineral Processing Technologies: To counteract declining ore grades and maximize resource recovery, there is a growing focus on advanced mineral processing technologies. This includes innovative techniques to optimize recovery from lower-grade ores and extract value from previously discarded materials like mine tailings. Technologies such as advanced gravity separation, high-intensity magnet separation, leaching, and sensor-based sorting are being explored for reprocessing tailings. Companies are also developing processes like Antofagasta's Cuprochlor-T® to extract copper from primary sulphide tailings and Codelco's collaboration with Minera Valle Central to recover copper and molybdenum from tailings. Dewatering technologies, combining hydrocyclones and vibratory screens, are also being implemented to increase water recovery from tailings and create more stable storage.

Desalination and Advanced Water Management: Given the acute water scarcity in northern Chile, desalination and advanced water management technologies are paramount. The industry is investing heavily in building and operating large-scale seawater desalination plants and associated infrastructure to transport water to mine sites. By 2031, seawater use is projected to rise significantly in the Chilean mining sector. Alongside desalination, technologies for water recycling and reuse, including membrane bioreactors for wastewater treatment, are crucial for optimizing water consumption and reducing environmental impact. Innovations in artificial aquifer recharge are also being explored to manage excess desalinated water and restore groundwater levels.

Renewable Energy Integration and Electromobility: The transition to renewable energy sources and the adoption of electromobility are gaining traction to reduce the industry's carbon footprint and energy costs. Mining companies are increasingly integrating solar and wind power into their energy mix, often through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs). Hybrid systems combining renewables with battery storage are being implemented to ensure energy reliability. Electrification of heavy mining vehicles and operations is also a key area of focus, driven by advancements in battery electric vehicle (BEV) technology and the development of charging infrastructure, particularly for underground mining. Chile's Institute of Clean Technologies is actively supporting the development of hydrogen, solar energy, and electromobility technologies for the mining industry.

Resource Recovery from Tailings: The reprocessing of mine tailings to recover valuable minerals and critical materials is emerging as a significant opportunity and a technological frontier. With vast amounts of tailings accumulated over decades, advanced separation technologies like flotation, solvent extraction, and bioleaching are being applied to extract metals such as copper, molybdenum, cobalt, rare earth elements, and gold that were not fully recovered in initial processing. Both public and private sectors in Chile are co-financing projects focused on tailings reprocessing. This not only provides a potential new source of supply for critical minerals but also helps address environmental liabilities associated with tailings storage facilities.

AI and Machine Learning in Exploration: While exploration investment saw a slight decrease in 2024, AI and machine learning are expected to play a growing role in this initial stage of the value chain. These technologies can support exploration efforts by analyzing large volumes of geological data to enhance predictions and identify promising new deposits, potentially improving success rates and reducing exploration costs in the long term.

Table of Potential Value Chain Impact and Industry Opportunities and Challenges of the Technologies

Emerging Technology Potential Value Chain Impact (Stages Affected) Industry Opportunities Industry Challenges
Automation and Digitalization Exploration & Acquisition (Data Analysis), Mine Planning & Development (Design, Simulation), Extraction (Autonomous Operations), Processing (Process Control, Optimization), Logistics & Transportation (Automated Fleets, Tracking), Commercialization (Data Analytics) Increased productivity and efficiency across multiple stages. Enhanced safety by removing personnel from hazardous areas. Reduced operating costs through optimized processes and potentially lower labor requirements. Improved data-driven decision-making. Opportunity for remote operations and integrated control centers. High initial investment cost for technology and infrastructure. Need for a skilled workforce capable of operating and maintaining complex automated systems. Integration challenges with legacy systems and existing infrastructure. Potential job displacement concerns and need for workforce retraining. Data security and privacy issues.
Advanced Mineral Processing Technologies Processing, Waste Management (Integrated with Processing) Improved recovery rates from lower-grade ores, extending mine life. Extraction of valuable minerals from tailings, creating new revenue streams. Reduced volume and environmental footprint of tailings. More efficient use of water through dewatering technologies. Potential to recover critical minerals for the energy transition. Requires significant capital investment in new processing plants or upgrades. Technical complexity in optimizing processes for specific ore bodies and tailings characteristics. Need for specialized expertise to operate and maintain advanced equipment. Energy consumption of some processes.
Desalination and Advanced Water Management Mine Planning & Development (Water Infrastructure), Extraction (Dust Suppression), Processing (Water Supply), Logistics & Transportation (Water Transport) Ensures a stable and reliable water supply in arid regions, mitigating risks associated with water scarcity. Reduces reliance on increasingly scarce freshwater sources, improving relations with other water users. Opportunity for innovation in water recycling and reuse technologies. Can enable the development of projects in water-stressed areas that would otherwise be unviable. Very high capital and operating costs, particularly for energy-intensive pumping to high altitudes. Environmental concerns related to brine discharge into the ocean. Need for extensive pipeline infrastructure. Energy requirements for desalination contribute to the mine's overall energy consumption.
Renewable Energy Integration and Electromobility Extraction (Vehicle Power), Processing (Plant Power), Logistics & Transportation (Vehicle Power, Charging Infrastructure) Reduced energy costs in the long term through access to cheaper renewable energy. Significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, improving environmental performance and social license. Enhanced energy security, particularly for remote operations. Development of a local clean energy ecosystem and supply chain. Potential for energy storage solutions. Intermittency of some renewable sources (solar, wind) requiring backup or storage solutions. High upfront investment in renewable energy infrastructure and electrification of fleets. Challenges in integrating renewables into existing power grids. Need for charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.
Resource Recovery from Tailings Processing, Environmental Management (Integrated with Processing) Creation of new revenue streams from previously considered waste. Recovery of critical minerals important for the energy transition. Reduction of environmental liabilities associated with tailings storage. Improved public perception and social license to operate. Potential for a more circular economy in mining. Technical challenges in efficiently and economically extracting minerals from complex tailings compositions. Requires investment in specialized processing plants and technologies. Regulatory frameworks may need to adapt to incentivize tailings reprocessing. Managing the environmental impact of reprocessing activities.
AI and Machine Learning in Exploration Exploration & Acquisition Improved efficiency and effectiveness of exploration efforts. Higher probability of discovering new economically viable deposits. Reduced exploration costs and timelines in the long term. Better understanding of geological data and resource modeling. Need for significant data collection and processing capabilities. Requires specialized expertise in data science and geology. Ensuring the quality and reliability of data used for analysis. High initial investment in AI and machine learning platforms.

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