Caleras San Juan is expecting the upcoming start-up of a fourth MAERZ kiln.
By Panorama Minero
A broad portfolio of economic projects with the potential to significantly impact both the provincial and national economy motivated a delegation of business leaders from across the country to visit San Juan and explore its current and potential ventures. The purpose of the visit was to gather on-site information and evaluate opportunities to participate in initiatives that promise investment, employment, and economic growth.
The delegation visited Caleras San Juan, where they were briefed on lime production activities. During their visit, they toured the site’s three Swiss-made MAERZ kilns, each with an annual production capacity of 120,000 tons of lime, and learned about the upcoming launch of a fourth kiln with similar specifications. The visitors were also introduced to the progress on a solar park currently under construction to power the Cienaguita plant. The solar installation spans 2.5 hectares, located directly in front of the kilns, and includes 3,328 solar panels. The facility is expected to be operational by the end of September.
The delegation was welcomed by Daniel Van Lierde, Chairman of the Board of Caleras San Juan, along with Raúl Cabanay, General Manager, who shared the story of the company’s transformation beginning in 2016. That year marked the launch of a Master Plan aimed at incorporating modern technology through the implementation of four high-efficiency, low-carbon-footprint kilns. As a result, the company increased its production from around 100,000 tons to over 300,000 tons of lime in recent years, while tripling its workforce—with 90% of employees coming from nearby communities such as Cienaguita, Divisadero, Pedernal, and Los Berros, Cabanay noted.
Looking ahead, the executive announced that the company is preparing a new Master Plan for the 2026–2035 period, which includes a Greenfield development featuring the construction of four additional kilns, to be added as market demand increases. The goal is to meet the needs of key industries such as steelmaking, copper, and lithium in both Argentina and neighboring Chile, where the copper mining sector is expected to generate substantial demand for lime. To support this international supply, Cabanay pointed out that Caleras San Juan operates a lime depot located 40 km from Santiago, Chile, with a storage capacity of over 5,000 tons, soon to be doubled, ensuring reliable winter supply even when weather conditions force the closure of the Cristo Redentor mountain pass.
He also emphasized the need for new transportation alternatives to improve the competitiveness of lime logistics. Among these is Route 153, which could reduce travel distance by 100 km by bypassing Mendoza, easing congestion on Route 40, and benefiting tourism, the academic activities of the National University of San Juan (UNSJ), and exports from Brazil and northwest Argentina.
