ABB To Deliver Gearless Mill Drive Service Program For Codelco Copper Mines In Chile

September 8, 2025 by Mai Tao

ABB and Codelco are revealing details about their latest collaboration to optimize the Chilean state-owned copper mining company's maintenance program.

With Chile currently the world's largest copper producer, this latest long-term service agreement (LTSA) encompasses maintenance, remote diagnostics and skills training to enhance the performance of its gearless mill drive (GMD) systems.

Integrated into ABB's advanced cloud-based platform, GMD Connect, this will support a combined copper production of around 400,000 metric tons per annum.

As part of the LTSA, ABB will provide ongoing lifecycle management for Codelco's four key GMD systems, three at Ministro Hales mine in Antofagasta region and one at Andina mine in Valparaíso region.

While these mines are more than 1,500 km apart and distinct in design, this contract brings both sites under centralized service management.

ABB will support sustainability and innovation goals by improving operational efficiency and asset availability, and evolving technology solutions over time.

GMDs are increasingly integral to the operation of copper mining plants, ensuring efficient ore grinding while minimizing energy consumption and emissions.

With copper production expected to face increasing demand over the next decade, maintaining the reliability of these critical systems is vital to meeting market needs.

This agreement supports Codelco's goal to maximize uptime and enhance asset availability while avoiding unscheduled downtime and sustaining productivity.

Francisco Herrera, service manager for Chile, ABB's Process Industries division, says:“Our collaboration with Codelco has lasted more than a decade.

“With demand for copper production set to increase, this latest contract award enables us to build on that partnership through expertise and technologies for looking after proprietary gearless mill drive systems.

“There's commitment from both ABB and Codelco to integrate innovate solutions within Chilean mining operations, which is vital to reach production targets in the most efficient and sustainable manner.”

ABB's GMDs are designed to eliminate all mechanical drivetrain components and are used to run some of the world's largest grinding mills, essential mine infrastructure that crush ore, separating the valuable mineral from the remaining rock.

These GMDs deliver more efficient, reliable operations with lower emissions, helping the industry meet the demands for minerals critical to a low carbon future.

Maximizing the output of various critical minerals and metals is vital as the world electrifies and decarbonizes.

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