Reconstruction and reopening work on the road to Los Azules is advancing following the June 17 snowfall that left the route out of service. Alejandro Oliva explained that 37 workers were evacuated and that between 19 and 20 avalanches were subsequently detected.
Fabio Oriolani said that 22 kilometres of the route have already been reopened, with local contractors and specialists involved in the work. The full reopening of the road to the Los Azules camp, 67 kilometres away, is scheduled for between late January and early February.
By Panorama Minero
The work to reopen and reconstruct the access route to the Los Azules project began following the June 17 snowstorm that left the road out of service. Road Supervisor Alejandro Oliva said that the weather event exceeded initial forecasts and created severe conditions in the high mountains. Given the lack of favorable conditions observed during the first hours of the day, safety personnel and management ordered an emergency evacuation. Oliva explained that the absolute priority was to safeguard personnel, and therefore the 37 workers who remained at El Candadito camp were evacuated using heavy road machinery. During the operation, it was decided to leave trucks and transport equipment at the site so as not to obstruct the convoy and to prioritize the evacuation of personnel. The journey was completed in approximately six hours under conditions of poor visibility and heavy snow accumulation, with the evacuation completed without major incidents.
Aerial Survey and Avalanche Inspection
Following the storm, the company conducted an aerial survey and inspection of the route to assess ground conditions. Los Azules Civil Works Manager Fabio Oriolani said that the aerial reconnaissance identified between 19 and 20 avalanches along the route. To manage the hazard in the area, the advancing work front is guided by a specialized avalanche assessment team from Curam. Oliva also stated that crews advance only with the constant support of heavy machinery, ensuring maneuvering and clearing capacity in the event of further snow slides.
Participation of Contractors from Calingasta and San Juan
Local suppliers from Calingasta and San Juan Province are participating in the work, including Pocholo, Mapal and Sigma. Specialized advice on avalanche management and emergency response is also being provided by Curam.
These companies are working to reopen the road, where they not only have to rebuild the track but also make their way through snow that in some places is more than three metres deep. Company technicians said that as temperatures have increased, the ice has receded considerably. However, there are still areas where the Las Totoras River flows beneath the snow.
Organization of Work Fronts and Hydrological Studies
The work has now been underway continuously for approximately four weeks and has enabled access to be reopened as far as kilometre 22 of the route, eight kilometres from the intermediate El Candadito camp. From there, work must continue toward the Los Azules camp, more than 65 kilometres away. Oriolani said that the reopening and maintenance work involves a total of between 20 and 23 people. Three pieces of heavy road equipment are being used at the main work front: a D8 bulldozer, a loader and an excavator. The number of machines is limited due to the narrow dimensions of the road. In parallel, the company has brought in a hydrology specialist to estimate the volume of water resulting from the snowmelt and design the improvements required at river crossings.
Projected Timeline for Reaching the Project
Regarding the work schedule, the company estimates that it will reach El Candadito camp in the short term. Meanwhile, the full reopening of the road to the main Los Azules camp, located 67 kilometres away, is scheduled for between late January and early February. Once the initial track has been consolidated, work will continue with the widening and structural rehabilitation of the route.
