Amid the context of growing operational, environmental, and technological challenges for the industry, Codelco and Schneider Electric have signed a MoU marking they say the beginning of a strategic alliance aimed at driving digital transformation and energy efficiency in mining.
The agreement establishes a framework for joint work to innovate, co-create, and eventually implement advanced technological solutions throughout the entire lifecycle of mining projects, from engineering and proof of concept to operation, maintenance, and asset optimisation.
The memorandum will enable progress in key areas for the sector, such as the automation of industrial processes and electrical systems, advanced analytics, process optimisation, digital twins, energy management, and predictive emissions monitoring, among others.
It combines Codelco’s mining expertise with the capabilities of Schneider Electric, a company recognised worldwide for its innovative approach and presence in more than 100 countries. The agreement also includes the development of pilot projects and testing of new technologies, workshops and knowledge sharing, as well as access to Schneider Electric’s Innovation Hub, which will be inaugurated soon in Santiago, Chile.
Furthermore, it fosters collaboration with educational institutions to promote talent development and projects in STEM fields applied to mining, strengthening the link between innovation, industry, and human capital development.
“The challenges we face today in safety, productivity, and sustainability are increasingly complex and cannot be resolved in isolation. The way to address them is through collaboration with the various stakeholders in the ecosystem, and this is part of the strategic vision we are strengthening at the Corporation. Being technology partners with Schneider Electric reaffirms this vision and allows us to move towards a mining industry prepared for the present and the future,” says Julio Díaz, Vice President of Mining Resources, Development, and Innovation at Codelco.
For his part, Jorge De la Rivera, Vice President of Industrial Automation for South America at Schneider Electric, states that this agreement with Codelco reflects the company’s commitment to supporting the Chilean mining industry in its digital transformation and transition to increasingly efficient, safe, and sustainable operations. “At Schneider Electric, we firmly believe that the combination of technology, expertise, and collaboration is key to addressing the current challenges of the mining industry. Putting our global capabilities in automation, energy management, and digitalisation at Codelco’s service is a concrete step toward co-creating solutions that will generate a real and long-term impact for the country,” the executive emphasises.
The Memorandum of Understanding will have an initial term of two years, with the possibility of extension, and will allow both companies to identify specific opportunities for joint projects, which will be formalised through specific agreements.
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