Vicuña will incorporate 36 equipment units, including 12 Komatsu trucks, to advance with the initial work until April 2027
The Komatsu HD1500-8 trucks are among the heavy-duty vehicles designed to operate in demanding geographical conditions. They are equipped with 16-cylinder diesel engines that develop 1,576 horsepower, a seven-speed electronic transmission, and hydraulic braking systems designed to control large loads on steep slopes. Additionally, they incorporate 360-degree peripheral vision cameras and monitoring technology aimed at improving safety and operational performance.
The mining megaproject Vicuña, developed by the multinationals BHP and Lundin Mining thanks to the RIGI of Javier Milei, has started receiving giant trucks manufactured in Japan in the province of San Juan, as part of the preparatory works for the exploitation of one of the most promising copper, gold, and silver deposits in the world. The vehicles, manufactured by Komatsu, have the capacity to transport up to 142 tons of material per trip.
The incorporation is part of an equipment program that includes 36 large machines, including 12 Komatsu HD1500 trucks, as well as hydraulic excavators, wheel loaders, bulldozers, motor graders, and compactors. The units will progressively enter the San Juan territory until April 2027, with the aim of expanding the operational capacity of the project during its initial works.
The first vehicles were transported in components to facilitate their transport to the mountainous area. Once at the mining camp, they will undergo assembly, lifting, and mechanical performance testing before beginning operations. Subsequently, they will be used for mass earth movement, mining stripping tasks, platform preparation, and the construction and maintenance of access roads.
The equipment will be allocated to the Vicuña district, located in the Iglesia department in San Juan, where the business alliance is developing an ambitious project that integrates the Josemaría and Filo del Sol deposits. The former is located in San Juan territory, while the latter extends across the border area between Argentina and Chile. Together, they form a mining complex with significant resources of copper, gold, and silver.
The magnitude of these deposits has made Vicuña one of the mining projects with the greatest potential for international development. Its scale requires transportation infrastructure and heavy machinery capable of moving enormous volumes of material in high mountain conditions, where the terrain characteristics and climatic demands present additional challenges for operations.
The arrival of the first trucks represents a new advance in the preparation of the megaproject, allowing for an expansion of the execution capacity of the necessary works for the following stages. The progressive incorporation of machinery until April 2027 reflects the logistical dimension of the venture.
