With an event that brought together university authorities, representatives of the National Research and Development Agency (ANID), executives of the company Foremin and researchers from Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CEDENNA), the FONDEF project ID22I10192, “Remote Wear Monitoring of Mining Shovel GET”, came to a close.
During the event, held at Universidad de Santiago de Chile, the progress and results achieved by this technological development were presented. It seeks to improve efficiency and safety in mining operations through a remote wear monitoring system for Ground Engaging Tools (GET), key components of the shovels used in mining extraction.
The project was originally led by Dr. Dora Altbir, and then by Dr. Sebastián Allende, together with deputy director Dr. Álvaro Espejo and the researcher Dr. Omar Daud, who detailed the technical aspects of the solution, its field validation and its potential impact on mining.
According to the team’s estimates, this technology —capable of detecting in real time the wear and detachment of uncrushable parts— would prevent major damage to the crusher, one of the main sources of interruption in the mining process. Its application could mean savings of between 200 and 400 million dollars a year in Chilean mining production, and up to 3 billion internationally.
A strategic alliance between science and business
One of the highlights of the project was the alliance with Foremin, a national company specializing in solutions for large-scale copper mining. Its Commercial and Innovation Manager, Patricio Osorio, stressed the relevance of the system developed: “Operational continuity is one of the fundamental pillars of the mining industry. The loss of a GET, if not detected in time, can paralyze an entire production line. This remote monitoring system makes it possible to anticipate and prevent these incidents, optimizing safety and efficiency”.
The event was attended by the Dr. Alberto Monsalve, USACH Vice-Rector for Research, Innovation and Creation; Dr. Juliano Casagrande, Director of the CEDENNA Center Program; Mr. Khaled Awad, Head of ANID’s Strategic Management Department; and Xaviera Hernández, Technology Transfer Manager at the Technology Management Directorate (DGT), among other authorities.
The conclusion of this project represents a concrete step towards smarter, safer and more sustainable mining, and consolidates CEDENNA’s role as a key player in developing scientific solutions applied to the country’s needs.
