The arrival of a new fleet of Grove rough-terrain cranes in an open-pit copper and molybdenum mining complex located in the southern region of Peru, has had a substantial impact on the project’s expansion, helping to triple the amount of materials produced from the site.
GyM, the Graña y Montero Holdings’ construction company and main contractor on the project, has commissioned several Grove RT9130Es, RT880Es and RT765E-2s to work at the mine, most of which were assembled at Manitowoc’s factory in Passo Fundo, Brazil. The cranes are assisting with the construction of access roads and platforms, the building of concentrating facilities, the installation of water pipelines, and the assembly of other structures, such as conveyors and chutes.
“We chose Grove rough-terrain cranes for this project because many of their standard features make them ideal for use in mining sites,” says Carlos Albinagorta, Manager of Equipment and Logistics at GyM. “Especially the four-wheel drive and smooth controls, which makes it easy to navigate the cranes over uneven ground and operate in harsh environmental conditions. We’re relying on this great equipment for such an important project as the expansion of one of Peru’s largest mines and we’re confident we’ve made the right choice.”
The expansion of the concentrating capacity of the mine is a US$4.6 billion project that will triple the production capacity of the mine. It will increase the output from 120,000 t (132,000 USt) to 360,000 t (400,000 USt) per day, and will provide additional annual production of approximately 272,000 t (300,000 USt) of copper and 7,700 t (8,500 USt) of molybdenum beginning in 2016.
According to Albinagorta, Grove rough-terrain cranes have long been partners in GyM’s success story. The engineering and construction conglomerate has owned Manitowoc brand cranes for many years and as a longtime customer, the company trusts the cranes’ dependability and site-tested performance in demanding environments, as well as reliable after-sales support.
Grove rough-terrain cranes are fully designed to cater to the demands of mining and other harsh job sites. By combining all of the industry-leading capabilities in its line of rough-terrain cranes, Grove delivers precisely what reputable customers like GyM expect.
Cristian Galaz, Manitowoc’s Vice President of Sales for South America, says that technical support, as well as parts and service, is the key to meeting GyM’s needs.
“Mega projects, such as the copper mine’s expansion, need dependable equipment that comes with a high-level of technical support to guarantee they are completed on schedule,” he says. “Manitowoc is the only company in Peru able to offer a highly-qualified technical team, a significant spare parts local stock, and the infrastructure for training for companies such as GyM’s and their demanding projects.”
South America has experienced sustained growth in the last decade, fueled in part by significant investments in mining, energy and infrastructure, says Gerardo Castillo, Manitowoc’s Regional Business Manager for Peru and Argentina.
“As long as commodities prices continue to be competitive and global demand remains stable, conditions will stay favorable in our region, which will only help grow crane sales,” Castillo says. “Domestic issues in some countries pose challenges for short-term projections, but in the medium and long-term landscape this part of the world is well-positioned to thrive.”
Founded by three young engineers in 1933, Graña y Montero is one of Peru’s most admired companies, having participated in major projects in the energy, mining, construction and real estate sectors. The group has 23 engineering and infrastructure service companies operating in seven countries in Latin America, and employs more than 9,500 workers, of which about 3,000 are engineers.
