Bradken has officially inaugurated its foundry in Chilca, Peru, marking, it says, a major step forward in supporting the growth of the Latin American mining industry.
The mill liner foundry will strengthen regional manufacturing capability, improve supply chain resilience and deliver faster support for customers, according to CEO Sean Winstone.
“This investment represents far more than a foundry,” Winstone said. “It’s an investment in sustainable manufacturing, innovation, circularity, local talent and the future of mining across Latin America.
“By establishing world-class manufacturing capability closer to our customers, we are strengthening supply security, improving responsiveness and supporting the long-term growth of the mining industry throughout the region. And we are so proud of it.”
From Chilca, Bradken will primarily serve customers across Peru, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Suriname, Ecuador and Mexico with significantly improved speed and efficiency.
Within the next three to five years, it’s expected to meet the majority of Bradken’s Latin American demand for steel mill liners, reducing lead times by 30-50% and helping customers improve operational certainty and responsiveness, the company says.
The foundry has been built using an advanced manufacturing model ready for Industry 4.0, integrating automation, digitalisation and repeatable quality controls to maximise product performance while improving efficiency and reducing waste. Advanced process control systems, real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance capabilities and digital manufacturing tools enhance quality, traceability and production efficiency across every production stage.
The foundry includes what Bradken says is the region’s largest automated loop line, advanced sand reclamation technology, Peru’s first scrap charging feeders, Tornado® extraction hoods for environmental protection, fully-electric heat-treatment ovens with controlled cooling systems, and Automated Guided Vehicles to optimise internal logistics and energy efficiency.
Bradken says: “Together, these technologies will help us deliver consistent, high-quality products while creating a safer, more efficient and sustainable manufacturing environment.”
Peru’s rapidly decarbonising electricity grid made Chilca a strategic location for this investment, according to Bradken, with the company targeting more than 99% renewable electricity for the site, as supply continues to expand. This supports its commitment to carbon neutrality for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2030.
It said: “We will also recycle worn mill liners, reintegrating recovered materials into new products wherever technically feasible. By keeping valuable materials in use for longer, we can reduce waste, improve resource efficiency and support our customers’ sustainability objectives.”
Beyond manufacturing, the project represents a significant investment in local economic development, with Bradken Chilca expected to create about 200 direct jobs and more than 1,200 indirect jobs..
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