en.Wedoany.com Reported - Caleras San Juan of Argentina, over a ten-year planning period (2016 to 2026), weathered multiple shocks including macroeconomic instability, foreign exchange controls, high inflation, and the pandemic. It ultimately commissioned its first kiln in 2018, followed by three additional kilns in 2021, 2024, and 2026. During this period, the company's major shareholders agreed to forgo dividends, concentrating all resources on investment to achieve sustained growth.
The company's greatest challenge was financing the first kiln. In 2016, with support from its key suppliers, Caleras San Juan successfully secured international financing at an annual interest rate below 2%, with a ten-year term and a two-year grace period. This loan covered approximately 35% of the total investment. The local engineering portion was supported by banks and customers. Financial institutions played a central role in driving the implementation of the company's overall plan, and the company fulfilled all its commitments on time, gradually building its reputation and credibility.
Currently, Caleras San Juan has an annual production capacity of 600,000 tons, capable of meeting Argentina's exponentially growing demand for lime. Over the next 20 years, new large-scale copper mining projects will require an additional more than 1 million tons of lime. Previously disclosed information indicated that lime production in San Juan Province was approximately 1.2 million tons, but based on new investments planned by lime producers, capacity is expected to reach 2.2 million tons per year in the coming years. Additionally, the Chilean market will bring further lime demand, as it seeks expansion in response to the needs driven by the energy transition, electric mobility, data centers, and artificial intelligence.
The company states it is closely monitoring market dynamics, and its professional team is developing a new plan covering the period from 2026 to 2035. Company policy is to add kilns when demand reaches 80% of installed capacity. To this end, it is necessary to anticipate conditions in the coming years to ensure an adequate supply of high-quality lime for current and potential customers. At the Los Tilianes lime plant in northern Argentina, in which the company is a shareholder, a large-capacity rotary kiln is under construction to supply the northwestern region of Argentina and provide lime to large-scale copper and lithium mining operations.
Caleras San Juan has entered its fourth year of ISO certification, requiring regular re-certification covering quality management, environmental management, and occupational health and safety. These certifications are crucial for collaborating with large enterprises that adhere to strict procurement standards. At the same time, the company is advancing a sustainability project, including a photovoltaic power station with an installed capacity of 7 megawatts to supply all its production activities. The company has also planted 1,300 native pepper trees and mesquite trees, along with 4 hectares of olive trees, all equipped with drip irrigation systems to improve water efficiency.
The company positions itself as a modern and sustainable mining enterprise. All production utilizes globally advanced technologies to achieve high capacity with a low carbon footprint. It currently operates four Swiss-made MAERZ kilns and is replacing fossil fuel equipment with electric equipment. Over the past decade, the company's workforce has grown from 100 to over 300 employees, 90% of whom come from surrounding communities. The female participation rate has reached 22%, higher than the national average, and is not limited to administrative roles. It includes three women operating MAERZ kilns, other women operating heavy equipment and machinery, and the company's commercial manager is also a woman.
This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
