FLS Chile copper mine expansion: gyratory crusher scale and circuit impacts for engineers
Reviewed by Tom Sullivan
First reported on International Mining – News
30 Second Briefing
FLSmidth has secured a DKK 360 million order to supply long-lead crushing and grinding technologies for a copper expansion project in northern Chile, centred on delivering the world’s largest gyratory crusher. The 1,600 x 3,300 TSUV primary crusher is designed for ultra-high throughput in hard rock copper ore, signalling a step up in mill feed capacity and comminution circuit scale. For mine planners and process engineers, the package locks in long-lead items and sets the envelope for downstream SAG/ball mill sizing and conveyor design.
Technical Brief
- Package scope explicitly covers both crushing and grinding technologies, not just the primary crusher.
- Long-lead designation implies procurement and fabrication starting well ahead of detailed plant EPC.
- Securing OEM supply at contract stage reduces later interface risk for mill, chute and conveyor designers.
- For similar brownfield copper expansions, such ultra-large primaries tend to drive larger SAG mill diameters and higher installed power.
Our Take
Our database shows FLSmidth increasingly pairing large equipment packages with lifecycle or flowsheet-wide engagements, as seen in the Vizsla Silver Panuco plant and the LMEL iron ore lifecycle deal, so Chilean copper operators can likely expect follow-on bids around grinding, classification and service once the gyratory is installed.
Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.
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