Pascua-Lama Mining Project
Incinco completed two 500kg/hr incinerators for the Barrick Gold Pascua-Lama mining project in South America. The units were shipped to the mine site which is located on theArgentina/Chile border high in the Andes Mountains – one unit was delivered to each country.
The project – started backin 2010 – involved Incinco designing the bespoke plant for this unique and demanding location. To meet the exacting environmental requirements both units incorporate full gas cleaning equipment designed for use at 5,000 metres above sea level. The units also included Incinco's full package of ancillary equipment – bin tippler, ram loader, reciprocating and riddling grates, full auto de-ashing via ash conveyor and waste oil burner.
Delivering this project required not only engineering excellence but also careful planning and logistical expertise. Operating at these demanding altitudes presented challenges rarely encountered in more conventional environments. Reduced oxygen levels, extreme temperatures, and the rugged terrain demanded that every component was carefully specified to ensure reliability, efficiency, and ease of operation for on-site personnel.
"Incinco completed two 500kg/hr incinerators for the Barrick Gold Pascua-Lama mining project in South America"
The design team at Incinco worked closely with Barrick Gold and there nominated Engineering partners –Worley Parsons, Bechtel and Fluor to ensure the solution was both technically robust and operationally practical. From the outset, it was clear that traditional off-the-shelf incineration systems would not suffice. The bespoke design had to account for the reduced air density at altitude, which can impact combustion efficiency and gas flow dynamics. As a result, the combustion chamber geometry, burner sizing, and air handling systems were all tailored to ensure consistent performance in these conditions.
Equally important were the environmental safeguards. Mining projects in sensitive ecosystems face stringent regulatory oversight, and Pascua-Lama was no exception. The inclusion of advanced gas cleaning technology – including scrubbers and filters – ensured that emissions meet or exceed local and international standards. This commitment not only reflects Barrick Gold’s obligations to regulators but also Incinco’s dedication to designing solutions that minimise environmental impact.
Another critical consideration was operator safety and ease of use. At such high altitudes, even simple tasks become more demanding. Incinco’s decision to include automated loading, riddling, and de-ashing systems meant that manual intervention was kept to a minimum, reducing physical strain on workers and enhancing operational safety. The waste oil burner provided flexibility, allowing the units to utilise locally available fuels and the large amount of waste oil generated from the mining truck fleet.
The delivery phase itself represented a challenge for logistics. Transporting two 500kg/hr incinerators, complete with ancillary equipment, to remote sites straddling the Andes is no small feat. Every stage of the journey had to be meticulously planned – from sea freight and customs clearance to high-altitude trucking on mountain passes. Incinco’s project management team coordinated closely with Barrick Gold’s logistics partners to ensure that the equipment arrived intact and on schedule, despite the inherent challenges of the location.
Once installed, the systems were commissioned by Incinco’s engineers, who provided training and handover to site staff. Given the harsh environment, emphasis was placed on preventative maintenance routines and remote support. Incinco’s service team remain available to provide ongoing technical assistance, ensuring that the incinerators continue to perform at their best over the long term.
The Pascua-Lama project is a prime example of Incinco’s ability to deliver world-class waste management solutions in even the most demanding environments. It highlights the company’s flexibility in design, depth of technical expertise, and commitment to client satisfaction. More importantly, it demonstrates how advanced incineration technology can support responsible mining by providing reliable, compliant, and environmentally sound waste disposal.
Looking ahead, projects like Pascua-Lama reinforce Incinco’s position as a trusted partner for industries operating in remote and challenging conditions. Whether it’s mining in theAndes, exploration in Siberia, or infrastructure projects in remote deserts, Incinco’s bespoke solutions are proving that no location is too extreme for effective waste management.
The completion of this project marks not just another milestone for Incinco, but a clear statement ofcapability: when it comes to innovative design, environmental responsibility, and operational excellence, Incinco consistently rises to the challenge – evenwhen that challenge is 5,000 metres above sea level.
