Codelco seeks solar energy supplier for Gaby mine

Sep 7, 2011 - Chile's state-run copper miner Codelco yesterday said it launched an international tender in the search of a supplier of solar energy for the operations of its Gaby mine.

Codelco targets to find a company or a consortium, by the end of the year, to design, build and operate a solar thermal power plant to supply heat for the electrowinning process at the mine. At present, the mine uses diesel boilers to heat the electrolyte to 65 degrees Centigrade, which consumes some 9,000 cu m (317,800 cu ft) of diesel per year.

Initially, the solar plant will meet up to 30% of the needs of the electrowinning process. Later on, this percentage is seen to grow to 80%, which will prevent the emission of some 20,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) per year.

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