Sierra gorda

Antogafasta, Chile

We installed a pipeline over 140 kilometers long to supply seawater to a mine in the Atacama desert.

  • +1,600

    direct workers

  • 145 km

    long

  • 25

    special crossings

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Pipeline system and surface facilities at Sierra Gorda

The works allow mine operations to be supplied with water at a rate of 1,500 liters per second.

Key facts

  • September 2012

    Start date

  • February 2014

    End date

  • 1

    stretch of pipe carrying saltwater

  • 2

    pumping stations

  • USD 143 million

    Contract amount

  • September 2012

    Start date

  • February 2014

    End date

  • 1

    stretch of pipe carrying saltwater

  • 2

    pumping stations

  • USD 143 million

    Contract amount

Customer Sierra Gorda SCM
Scope of work Construction

Segment

Energy

The project included laying a pipe to carry the water required for mining processes at both the mine and its processing plants, covering a distance of 140 kilometers to connect the Mina-Planta Catabela and Mejillones sectors.

The works envisaged a review of the detail engineering delivered by the customer and ensuring part of the materials supply as well as the construction and assembly of four stations and a pipeline to bring up the seawater. The pipeline starts in a thermoelectric power plant lying in the bay of Mejillones, and the water is pumped up to the mine facilities lying at 1,760 meters above sea level.

Location

Sierra Gorda is a mining project in the Atacama desert, one of the driest areas in the world.

  • Antofagasta

    Region

  • -69.303581

    Longitude

  • -22.886848

    Latitude

  • Romina De San Pablo ยท Techint E&C Project Manager

    "Techint has demonstrated its ability to deliver a project to international safety and quality standards, and its surface facilities comprehensively cover pipeline needs."

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