The lime producer successfully completed its Master Plan launched in 2016, which included the installation of four Swiss-made, high thermal-efficiency MAERZ kilns. This technology is considered the most advanced in the world and forms part of a project steadily advancing toward environmental sustainability.
By Panorama Minero
Surrounded by native vegetation and olive groves equipped with drip irrigation systems, Caleras San Juan has also incorporated a photovoltaic park that enables production using clean energy, in what is considered a unique project in Latin America and worldwide.
MAERZ specialists who traveled from Switzerland to the Caleras San Juan plant supervised the commissioning of the fourth kiln, a milestone led by the company’s General Manager, Raúl Cabanay, together with a professional team composed of engineers and geologists.
Also present during the startup ceremony were Operations Manager Germán Cabanay, Innovation and Development Manager Augusto Durante, Engineering Manager Caupolicán González Aubone, Administration and Finance Managers Diego Mira and Marcelo Solorza, and Commercial Manager Alejandra Carniello.
This final stage of the Master Plan increases production capacity to 600,000 tonnes of lime per year, demonstrating the company’s readiness to meet growing demand from large-scale copper mining projects in San Juan, the steel industry, lithium operations, and international markets in Chile and elsewhere across the continent.
It took the company a decade to transform its operations, implement technologies that reduce its carbon footprint, and become the first lime producer with 100% Argentine capital to achieve the international ISO trinorm certification covering quality management, environmental management, occupational health, and safety systems.
Today, the company continues to invest and expand, providing direct employment to more than 300 people from communities such as Cienaguita, Divisadero, Pedernal, and Los Berros. Women represent 22% of the workforce, performing administrative and production roles. Three of them operate the massive 44-meter-high kilns, which reach temperatures exceeding 1,200°C.
Engineer Raúl Cabanay expressed his satisfaction at the commissioning of the fourth kiln, noting that “these achievements are a source of pride for Caleras San Juan’s shareholders, employees, and for the Province.” He also announced a new investment plan that will be detailed in the coming weeks, amid a context of recovering market demand.
