Located 3,800 meters above sea level in the heart of the Arizaro Salt Flat, Lindero has set a precedent for Argentine mining: it is now the first hybrid operation in the Puna region to incorporate solar energy into its active systems. The milestone was made possible through a joint development between Mansfield Minera S.A., the Argentine subsidiary of Fortuna Mining Corp., and local company Industrias Juan F. SECCO S.A., which designed, built, and now operates the energy infrastructure.
By Panorama Minero
The project — already up and running — integrated a state-of-the-art photovoltaic solar plant and a lithium-ion battery bank into Lindero’s existing thermal power system. This enables the mine to run exclusively on solar energy during daylight hours, reducing its annual diesel consumption by approximately 40%. The move marks a critical step forward in the energy transition of Argentina’s mining sector, delivering both environmental and operational benefits.
The plant was developed in a geographically extreme location and includes 10,908 bifacial solar panels, generating a total of 6 MWp. A BESS (Battery Energy Storage System), made up of 30 power conversion systems and two transformer substations, adds up to 12 MWh of energy storage capacity. The system provides backup power and stabilizes demand peaks by storing excess daytime energy for use when needed, reducing reliance on diesel in one of the country’s most logistically challenging regions.
A key technical feature is the custom-built Power Plant Controller (PPC), developed entirely by Argentine engineers at SECCO. Designed specifically for Mansfield’s operational needs, the PPC intelligently manages a hybrid energy system under extreme conditions, optimizing the use of renewables and minimizing fossil fuel consumption. It’s tailored to Lindero’s remote location, more than 420 km from the city of Salta, where access and infrastructure are limited.
From Mansfield Minera’s perspective, this development represents a long-awaited breakthrough for the sector. The integration of renewable energy is no longer just a sustainability initiative — it’s becoming a key factor in reducing costs and enhancing operational resilience. “We’re proud to be the first to take this major step forward,” said Agustín Frezze, Legal and Institutional Affairs Director at Mansfield Minera.
By harnessing the region’s intense solar radiation, the project turns what was once a logistical and environmental challenge into a strategic asset. It significantly reduces the mine’s carbon footprint while also easing fuel transportation demands in remote terrain.
Georgina Balán, Strategic Planning Director at SECCO, emphasized that the initiative reflects a shift not only toward energy efficiency but also toward long-term value generation. “Together with Mansfield, we’ve built a strategic alliance focused on triple impact: social, economic, and environmental,” she noted.
The agreement between Mansfield and SECCO, signed in 2024 and now fully operational, positions the project as a benchmark for renewable energy integration in high-altitude mining.
