The company says the centre in Antofagasta strengthens its “already solid position” in South America and allows the company to immediately respond to the requirements of its key mining customers in the region.
"Chile is Latin America's largest and most advanced mining market and will remain so for a long time. Strengthening local service operations is a vital part of our continuing commitment to the country's mining industry. Long-term service relationships create value to our customers, and we continue to invest in infrastructure to place ourselves even closer to them. This way we are able to offer faster service response times as well as the services and components they require," said Aldo Cermenati, vice president of services, South America, Mining and Construction, Metso.
The new facility is located in the La Negra Industrial Estate in Antofagasta city, northern Chile, allowing access and direct contact with the biggest mining companies in the area.
Equipped with leading-edge technology, the centre includes local engineering and production, equipment assembly and overhaul, parts recovery, industrial equipment repair and maintenance as well as specialist technical support.
The investment is in line with Metso's long-term strategy to strengthen its local services presence close to its customers.
Metso already serves its mining and construction customers from over 70 service hubs around the world close to all major mining projects.
The newly-opened centre will also function as an essential South American distribution centre for Metso's services and products.
To further develop its local services offering for the region's mining customers, service centres are currently also being built in Arequipa, Peru and in Cananea, Mexico.
