Innovation / Published August 24, 2022

Copec to implement the largest electromobility project in the mining industry


After winning a new tender from Codelco, Copec Voltex will be the company in charge of providing 94 charging points that will power more than 150 electric buses for transporting personnel in three divisions of the state-owned mining company: El Teniente, Andina and Chuquicamata.

Copec Voltex will install 48 fast charging points in El Teniente for buses converted to electric energy. After its implementation, this division of Codelco will have 100% of its fleet of buses for internal personnel under electric power operation.

The project also envisages the installation of another 20 charging points in Rancagua, which will energize the buses that transport workers from the city to El Teniente, thus reinforcing the charging structure in the region.

In the Andina division, Copec Voltex will provide eight charging points for six buses and one van. Meanwhile, in Chuquicamata, the company will place 18 150 kW fast charging points for buses, thus developing a process of renovation within the mine, which will allow to reduce its polluting emissions.

Francisco Larrondo, manager of Copec Voltex, noted that “this milestone represents a before and after in this industry and makes us an ally in the transformation of the mining industry towards clean energy”. He also pointed out that “the development of these projects breaks down one of the most important barriers for the expansion of electromobility in Chile: reaching places with geographical diversity, high altitude and extreme temperatures”.