Vicuña has launched the tender process for the construction of the North Corridor, a strategic road infrastructure that will serve as the future access route to its projects in northern San Juan Province and represents one of the most significant logistics works associated with their development in high-altitude terrain.
By Panorama Minero
The initiative involves a total alignment exceeding 170 kilometers, from Section A through Section D, forming an access network that will be fundamental to the long-term operation and sustainability of the projects. The work entails high technical complexity, both due to its scale and the geographic and environmental conditions of the Andean setting.
Section A, comprising subsections A1 and A2, covers 63.6 kilometers and connects Angualasto with Junta La Palca, passing through Malimán and El Chinguillo. One of the most relevant milestones of this stage is the construction of a 100-meter-long bridge over the Río Blanco, in the Piedras Pintadas area. This section requires advanced logistics, including explosive handling and detailed engineering works to open the road in mountainous terrain.
Meanwhile, sections B, C and D cover the stretch linking Junta La Palca with La Majadita and represent the largest construction challenge of the project. Together, these sections total approximately 107.4 kilometers and include large-scale earthworks, execution of engineering structures, drainage systems, and the installation of retaining systems, all essential to ensure corridor stability and safety under demanding conditions.
Construction of the North Corridor will follow a tight schedule and will complement works corresponding to sections E and F, which were awarded in April 2025 to the joint venture Terusi Construcciones S.A. and Semisa Infraestructura S.A.
The tender process will be carried out in multiple phases, including prequalification stages and technical and financial evaluation of bidders. According to the information provided, priority will be given to companies with proven experience in large-scale infrastructure works and in highly complex geographic environments, as well as compliance with standards related to safety, environmental management and social governance, in line with international best practices.
From an operational standpoint, progress on this infrastructure is critical to optimize logistics, improve access, and strengthen operating conditions in a high-altitude region where connectivity is a decisive factor for the development of large-scale mining projects. In this context, the North Corridor will be a structural component within the integrated planning of Vicuña’s copper projects in San Juan.
