The new 8,000m² space will focus on the fast delivery of mining equipment to customers and component maintenance. The facility was recently inaugurated in Copiapó to meet a high demand for mining service and technical support in the region, the company said.

It will supply solutions and services to help extend asset life, such as repairs and rebuilds, equipment and components upgradesm parts and consumables strategic stocking programmes, tailored training programmes, technical assistance, and customised service packages.

"The service centre ensures customers receive the required knowhow to optimise their operations, as well as support when it comes to inspections, process audits and technical issues," FLSmidth said in a company release.

According to Andrés Costa, president of FLSmidth South America, this is a "significant milestone" for the company, since Copiapó forms an important part of its operations in Chile.

"The huge mining industry potential in the area and our large installed base requires an infrastructure like this so we can work closer with our customers, get to know their challenges and deliver sustainable productivity solutions to their operations," he added.

The Copiapó Service Center joins other FLSmidth service facilities in São Paulo, Brazil; Arequipa, Peru; and in Iquique, Antofagasta and Santiago, Chile.