Mammoet Moves Crusher Parts for Chile Mining Giant

By Simon West

Mammoet has successfully relocated a mammoth crusher system between mines near Calama, Chile, for state-owned mining giant Codelco.

The intricate operation, which involved moving 16 key components four-and-a-half kilometers from one site to another using an “unplug-and-play” solution, was completed ahead of schedule, the Dutch heavy-lift specialist said.

Among the system’s so-called “big six” components, the most challenging to lift and transport was the 1,300-ton crusher itself.

“This was a big challenge”, said Vanessa Labana, sales manager at Mammoet. “We created a support beam that was especially adapted for this cargo. We had to make some alterations to our original beams by applying lead reinforcements on top, at the four lifting points, to prevent deformation”.

The structure was initially extracted using skid tracks and skid shoes before being raised high enough for self-propelled modular transporters (SPMTs) to move underneath.

To ensure stability during the journey, the cargo was secured with lashing and transported to an area close to the demobilization site, where it was rotated 180 degrees before final installation. Once at the new site, the earlier process was repeated in reverse, with SMPTs lowering the cargo onto skid tracks to slide it into its new position.

Another significant challenge was the gallery unit, which required additional hydraulic jacking due to a 1% slope at the installation site. Mammoet engineers carried out incremental lifts to maintain level positioning as it was skidded forward.

Meticulous Planning

Labana said Mammoet had spent 18 months collaborating with Codelco on planning the operation.

“We created all the route plans and drawings and supported them to answer all the questions and considerations they had to face on site. For example, the correct slope, turn ratios, and width of the road to facilitate the fastest transport route.”

The project required sourcing some of the equipment from multiple international locations. SPMTs were shipped Malaysia, skidding systems from the U.S. and additional support equipment from Colombia.

By relocating the components as complete units, Mammoet significantly reduced project time, it said, completing the operation itself in just over a month.

A team of 70 people were deployed across the project, along with 160 axle lines, eight skid shoes, eight jacking systems, and various support beams, rails and lashing equipment.

“If this project had been done this in a conventional way, Codelco would have needed to cut and disassemble the equipment, and this would have taken a lot of time,” Labana said. “This is the first time Codelco has done something like this. With us, they have a partner for future projects due to trust in our experience, equipment and background.”

Mammoet will be exhibiting at Breakbulk Europe on 13-15 May in Rotterdam.