Liebherr delivers complete trolley solution

Liebherr Mining has commissioned a full trolley solution at Collahuasi copper mine in northern Chile.

The entire solution, from infrastructure to the four T 284 trucks retrofitted with pantograph connections, was supplied by Liebherr and marks the first fully operational trolley line in Chile.

Four Liebherr T 284 360-tonne mining trucks are now operating under the project’s one-kilometre trolley line.

The Collahuasi site posed unique challenges when it came to designing the trolley line as it is situated at 4,500m above sea level, where it is subject to extreme environmental factors including high winds and seismic activity.

The scope of the complete trolley solution included the engineering and manufacturing of the infrastructure, power system and the trucks’ onboard hardware, implementation and commissioning on site and training and support for employees at Collahuasi.

Liebherr engineering and production research and development executive vice president Oliver Weiss says the company has worked extensively with trolley technology.

“We’ve supplied 38 360t trolley trucks in Panama, 15 360t trolley trucks in Zambia and 7 100t trolley trucks in Austria,” he said.

“The combination of this experience with our in-house expertise and close collaboration with Collahuasi resulted in this excellent outcome.”

Due to the power system’s two 5.5 MW transformers, Collahuasi’s trolley line can support two T 284 ultra-class trucks operating simultaneously. Components for the trolley line were sourced globally, with Liebherr Chile managing the process on the ground.

While Collahuasi was responsible for completing the civil works needed to facilitate the installation of the trolley line, Liebherr Chile provided expert assistance with haul road specifications and onsite construction.

Liebherr Chile mining managing director Gonzalo Garcia says the company leveraged its global network to find the best possible resources for the project.

“The engineering of the trolley system’s masts and catenary line took place in Chile, the transformers and the e-house that protects them were designed and built in South Africa and auxiliary components, like the tension wheels and contact and messenger wires, came from various places in our international supply chain,” he said.

Liebherr has provided extensive training to Collahuasi’s truck operators to ensure the trolley line is used to its maximum potential.

As Collahuasi has assumed operational control of the trolley line, the company will continue to support mine staff with additional training and will provide technical expertise when needed.