ACER obtained the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) following a process of more than four years of technical and environmental adjustments. The company’s owner, Claudio García, noted that the certification comes at a time of growth for mining activity in the province. CEO Florencia Maldonado, meanwhile, highlighted the company’s internal work in environmental management, the implementation of the ISO 14001 standard, and the reorganization of operational processes.
By Panorama Minero
The company was founded twelve years ago in San Juan as a workshop dedicated to the manufacturing and repair of components for mining equipment. Since then it has expanded its operational scale and now maintains a presence in Argentina, the United States and Mexico, with 60 direct employees and more than 100 indirect workers.
The company’s growth has been supported by its integration as a service provider for the province’s mining industry. Among its early clients is Barrick, operator of the Veladero project in San Juan.
Environmental Impact Statement
Obtaining the EIS marks the completion of the environmental evaluation process required for the company’s facilities.
According to the company, the procedure included the identification of potential environmental impacts associated with its operations, primarily related to hydrocarbon handling and water consumption in cleaning processes for components coming from mining operations.
During the process, modifications were introduced to the component washing system, incorporating drainage and recovery mechanisms that allow hydrocarbons to be separated for later reuse.
The company also advanced the implementation of environmental management systems under the ISO 14001 standard, which involved formalizing operational procedures, records and internal monitoring mechanisms.
Services and circular economy
ACER’s core activity focuses on the repair and refurbishment of components used in mining equipment, a practice that extends the useful life of parts and reduces the need to manufacture new components.
These services are part of industrial schemes related to maintenance, component reuse and life-cycle optimization of equipment, practices that are increasingly common in mining operations.
Expansion of mining activity in San Juan
The EIS was obtained in a context of expanding mining activity in the province, driven mainly by copper projects currently in development and feasibility stages.
According to García, having authorized facilities, environmental certifications and documented processes is a requirement to participate in the service chains of the large-scale projects under evaluation in San Juan.
The company currently provides services primarily linked to gold operations, although it is adapting processes and capabilities to address demand associated with the development of copper projects.
International presence
In addition to its operational base in San Juan, ACER has a presence in the United States and Mexico, where it carries out activities related to the repair and maintenance of industrial components.
The company is also exploring opportunities for cooperation with companies in Asian markets, particularly China, as part of its international expansion strategy.
Local development
At its plant located along Route 20 in the 9 de Julio department, the company employs local personnel from different areas of the province.
According to the company, part of the workforce received internal training to adapt to the technical requirements of the mining industry.
The approval of the Environmental Impact Statement formally authorizes the operation of the facilities under current regulatory parameters and consolidates the company’s environmental compliance process.
