Vicuña Corp. has added 21 40-tonne trucks to its operating fleet to advance early works associated with the development of the Josemaría and Filo del Sol projects, which together form the Vicuña district.
By Panorama Minero
The arrival of the new units will support preliminary activities in the area designated for the future mineral processing plant, as well as road improvement and consolidation works linked to the project's initial infrastructure development.
According to the company, the equipment was designed to operate under demanding conditions and will play a key role during the first stages of material movement and site preparation.
Infrastructure and Project Preparation
The incorporation of this fleet forms part of the preparatory work required for the development of critical project infrastructure. During the initial phase, activities will focus on preparing the area planned for the future concentrator plant and optimizing mining access roads.
The company indicated that these activities are intended to strengthen the logistical conditions required for subsequent stages of project development.
The deployment of the new equipment has also enabled the project to expand its operating schedule, with activities now taking place around the clock.
Training and Local Employment
Alongside the addition of the trucks, Vicuña has advanced the recruitment and training of its own operators to manage the equipment.
According to information released by the company, 180 operators have been incorporated for this stage, most of them from the San Juan departments of Iglesia and Jáchal, the communities located closest to the project's area of influence.
Of the total number of operators hired, 28 are women, representing 15.6% of the workforce assigned to this phase.
The company noted that the process included specific training for equipment operation and for working in high-altitude environments.
Additional Deliveries Ahead
The delivery schedule will continue on a phased basis over the coming months, subject to the supplier's logistics planning. The company stated that the recruitment and training process will continue in parallel with the arrival of additional equipment.
Vicuña Corp. is a joint venture equally owned by BHP and Lundin Mining. The company was created to develop and operate the Josemaría and Filo del Sol projects, located between San Juan province in Argentina and the Atacama Region in Chile.
