Antofagasta Minerals is moving ahead with its Centinela mine expansion in Chile by incorporating ABB’s Gearless Mill Drive (GMD) systems into the new copper concentrator facility. These cutting-edge systems are aimed at boosting site productivity, reducing unexpected downtime, and improving data-driven decision-making.
The GMD systems—custom-built by ABB—recently passed Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) for the stators, which will energize the ball mills used in the final stage of ore grinding. Built in Bilbao, Spain, the stators have since been delivered to the Centinela site via Puerto Angamos.
Designed for the harsh conditions of northern Chile’s desert terrain, each GMD unit features a 27-foot diameter ring motor with 19.6 MW capacity, along with a control module and three cycloconverter transformers. These units allow for variable-speed operation, enabling rapid adaptation to changes in ore composition. Enhanced energy efficiency and real-time performance monitoring are among the key advantages of this system. Wilson Monteiro, who leads ABB’s global GMD business, noted the importance of this deployment in the Latin American mining landscape, highlighting it as a significant development for ABB in the region.
As global copper needs continue to grow, the Nueva Centinela project is a key investment for Antofagasta Minerals. Once operational, the new concentrator is expected to add 144,000 metric tons of annual copper output and extend the mine’s operational life by three decades.
AMSA selected ABB’s Swiss-designed drive technology to optimize plant operations and strengthen existing systems. Real-time data collection and remote diagnostics provided by the drives will support proactive maintenance and limit operational interruptions—essential for maintaining efficiency in high-cost environments.
ABB, a prominent global player in industrial automation and electrification, supports multiple sectors through digital innovation and engineering expertise. Its Process Automation unit provides solutions for industries spanning energy, manufacturing, and logistics, delivering cleaner, smarter, and more agile operations across the board.
