The award covers the supply of Caterpillar equipment, maintenance, operational support and digital solutions to support the project's restart. Deliveries are scheduled between 2026 and 2028, and the contract is expected to create more than 180 jobs related to support and maintenance.
By Panorama Minero
Preparations for the restart of the Alumbrera project continue to advance with the award of an integrated contract to Finning for the supply of Caterpillar mining equipment, maintenance services and digital solutions. According to the company, the agreement is valued at approximately US$250 million and covers both equipment and associated services.
The contract includes the delivery of 22 new Caterpillar units and a maintenance agreement covering a total fleet of 51 machines, including 29 units already operating at the site. Among the new equipment are 22 Cat 793 mining trucks, three Cat 6060 FS hydraulic shovels with 34 m³ bucket capacity, as well as auxiliary equipment including a Cat D11 bulldozer, a Cat 777 water truck and Cat 336 excavators.
Deliveries scheduled through 2028
Equipment deliveries will be phased between 2026 and 2028, supporting the project's gradual ramp-up. In addition to supplying the fleet, the agreement includes transportation, Ready To Work assembly on site, commissioning and 24/7 maintenance services throughout the five-year term of the contract.
The package also incorporates MineStar Fleet digital solutions for real-time monitoring, fleet management and productivity optimization across the operation.
Employment and operational support
According to Finning, the contract will create more than 180 jobs dedicated to maintenance and operational support activities. The company also stated that it will prioritize local hiring and capacity building within the province.
Germán Wilson, Vice President of Operations and Country Manager, Finning Argentina, said the award represents "a significant milestone due to its scale and complexity," highlighting the integration of equipment supply, maintenance services and digital technologies into a single value proposition. He added that the company's focus is to ensure fleet availability and long-term operational performance.
Fleet configuration
The Cat 793 haul trucks, with payload capacities ranging from 220 to 240 tonnes, will be used for material transport, while the Cat 6060 FS hydraulic shovels will support loading operations. The fleet is complemented by large-scale auxiliary equipment intended to ensure operational continuity as Alumbrera progresses through its restart phase.
