Hitachi Energy contributes to QB2 sustainability with electrification system

The company supplied the electrification system for the desalination, pumping and concentrator plant for Teck's Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 (QB2) mining project, an initiative located in the Tarapacá Region.

The mining initiative, which in March produced its first primary copper concentrate and expects to start up and increase its total production by the end of 2023, seeks to incorporate a third processing line at the concentrator plant in order to increase the annual production of copper and molybdenum concentrates.

Cristián Urra, Account Manager EPC Channels of Hitachi Energy Chile, explained that the company provided 25 bays of substation encapsulated in SF6 gas, which make up five substations dedicated to the pumping systems of the water system, reaching the operation's concentrator plant, where it is used to process the ore. In addition, "the main transformers, dry and oil-insulated distribution transformers, auxiliary service transformers, control, protection, telecommunications and SCADA systems", said the executive.

Thus, Hitachi Energy plays a leading role in the energy plan by implementing the electrical system in the desalination plant, which will use seawater to produce water to supply the different areas of the project. Approximately 1,000 liters per second will be captured for this purpose, making the desalination plant the first large-scale use of seawater instead of fresh water in the Tarapacá Region.

There will be 165 kilometers of 90 centimeter diameter pipelines to the mine area, located at an altitude of 4,400 meters above sea level. To transport water to the operation and concentrate back to the port, 5 pumping stations will provide support, and a 220 kV transmission line will run adjacent to the pipelines and supply power to the pumping stations and the mine area. Thus, it will be the second largest desalination plant in Chile.

Pandemic as a challenge

During the health crisis caused by the spread of Covid-19, special measures had to be put in place.  "We modified the original plan and work model for assembly, installation and commissioning. It is important to highlight the local capabilities that we have as Hitachi Energy, since the efforts for the installation of the works were tripled, in order to meet our commitments, harmed by all the global crises that occurred during those years, and without failing to meet the commitments, both of our backlog and installed base, as well as new projects," said Mauricio Mazuela, General Manager of Hitachi Energy Chile.

To optimize the work at Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 and thus meet the deadlines established in the midst of the pandemic development, Hitachi Energy decided to carry out remote assistance with the objective of training local workers and thus be able to advance with the works in the Tarapacá Region.

Another aspect was the sustainability of the work carried out. Mauricio Mazuela commented that "the environmental mitigations that Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 had were extraordinary and we also contributed to benefiting the surrounding community".

Regarding the scope of the project implemented in Quebrada Blanca Phase 2, the General Manager of Hitachi Energy Chile said that it is one of the largest initiatives in which the company has worked in the mining industry locally, so they hope to ensure the productive continuity of the mining project, through global factories and local service capacity, always focused on the pillars of technology, sustainability and digitization.

"From planning and construction to asset operation and maintenance, we have been supporting our clients as they face their own challenges, which require the combination of pioneering, future-proof technologies with sustainable solutions," the executive added.

In addition, the General Manager of Hitachi Energy Chile highlighted the good experience they had working with Canada's Teck and Bechtel. "Both companies have very professional workers, who were always there to support and resolve any difficulties that arose during the implementation process of the works. We are left with a very good experience working with them”.