en.Wedoany.com Reported - Chile is set to welcome Latin America's first 100% electric mining bolter. Chilean mining equipment company Soilfe will import the machine from Germany in mid-2026, adapting it locally before deploying it in underground mining operations. Manufactured by Hermann Paus Maschinenfabrik, the equipment is specifically designed for extreme underground conditions, aiming to help decarbonize Chile's mining sector and enhance safety standards.
The electric bolter is equipped with a highly autonomous battery system, combined with a power supply line on a reel, allowing for extended uninterrupted operation and charging while in use, making it suitable for hard-to-access work environments. The machine supports remote operation and features a pressurized cabin and advanced safety systems, reducing accident risks and improving stability on complex terrain. According to Paus's technical documentation, its electric design eliminates toxic gas emissions and noise pollution from diesel equipment, significantly reducing the load on mine ventilation systems.
Ramón Rada, Operations Manager at Soilfe, stated that the electrification of underground mining has become a reality, and Chile is beginning to reap its benefits. This equipment not only reduces fossil fuel use but also lowers spare part requirements, increases energy efficiency, and improves working conditions by eliminating static loads, reducing toxic gases, and minimizing noise exposure.
It is reported that the introduction of this machine coincides with a critical phase in Codelco's push towards its 2030 sustainability commitments. According to Codelco's official disclosures, the company is committed to achieving 100% clean power supply, 100% electrification of underground mines, and a 70% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Ludwig Hecker, General Manager of Soilfe, pointed out that this fossil fuel-free bolting equipment makes a crucial contribution to companies like Codelco, which are committed to operating all their equipment with clean energy by 2030.
Hermann Paus Maschinenfabrik is a family-owned company based in Emsbüren, Germany, specializing in underground mining equipment manufacturing for over 50 years. The company has an established presence in the electric mining vehicle sector. Its MinCa 5.1E electric personnel carrier uses nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide battery technology, capable of charging to 80% capacity within half an hour, and has been deployed in European and global markets. According to Franz-Josef Paus, the company's Managing Director, customer demand for creating safer and cleaner underground environments continues to grow, with battery-electric vehicles, remote control, and automation solutions becoming the most sought-after product categories.
Soilfe is a Chilean domestic mining machinery company, with Ramon Rada serving as Operations Manager and also chairing the Innovation Committee of the Chilean Institute of Mining Engineers. The company has long focused on the trend of mining electrification, and the introduction of the Paus electric bolter marks its official entry into the supply of electrification equipment for underground mining.
The delivery lead time for the order is expected to be mid-2026. The equipment will first undergo necessary local adaptations in Soilfe's workshop before being deployed for on-site operations.
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