Liebherr towers on Chilean mine

Five Liebherr 1250 HC tower cranes have been erected at two mines in the Atacama Desert in Chile.

Two 40 tonne capacity 1250 HC 40 Litronic models are working 3,100 m above sea level on foundation anchors at the Minera Escondida copper mine. The cranes have a hook height of 34.9 metres and a working radius of 51.9 m.

The cranes will lift loads of up to 20 tonnes as they help with extension work and build the mine infrastructure. Working radius is 52 m and hook heights are 40 and 52 m. Once work on the building is complete, the tower cranes will remain on site to carry out maintenance work.

A 1250 HC 40 and two 50 tonne capacity 1250 HC 50s are working at the Minera Sierra Gorda copper mine. All three cranes have been mounted on foundation anchors and erected in similar configurations, a company spokesperson said.

Tasks for the tower cranes at the Minera Sierra Gorda copper mine include assembling tanks and lifting components weighing between 14 and 17 tonnes. Construction of the tanks is scheduled to take one year.

To carry out lifts at the Minera Sierra Gorda mine, the 1250 HC 40 has a hook height of 34.9 m and a working radius of 51.9 m. The two 1250 HC 50s both have a working radius of 38.8 m and are configured with hook heights of 68.6 and 69.6 m. Once the project is complete, the cranes will also remain on site to carry out maintenance work, including maintaining the flotation cells and servicing the ball mills.

In addition to high altitude and lots of dust, the cranes have to contend with an extreme temperature range variation between night and day.