The centre, its first in Latin America, opened its doors three years after an initiative was started by the company's mining and metals business unit to leverage construction expertise and copper concentrator design for greater project efficiencies.

Specifically, Bechtel said, the facility will promote processes and technologies that increase productivity in all stages of clients' projects, lower costs, water and power consumption and improve safety.

"We are thrilled to open this centre in Santiago to demonstrate how we are leading innovation in the EPC/EPCM industry to deliver better projects to our customers throughout the region," Bechtel's mining and metals unit president Paige Wilson said.

"The innovations Bechtel already has developed will enable a step change in construction productivity to deliver safe, high-quality projects faster, at lower cost and reduced risk. The centre, which is located at the mining and metals headquarters, will drive productivity innovations that focus on delivering low-cost plants through lean design techniques, engineering for installation and construction technologies."