Two 1250 HC 40 Litronic tower cranes mounted on foundation anchors are in use at the "Minera Escondida" copper mine. During the initial phase the tower cranes will be used for extension work and to build the mine infrastructure, handling loads of up to 20 tonnes. After the construction phase has been completed the two tower cranes will be used for maintenance purposes.
A total of three 1250 HC tower cranes are in use at the "Minera Sierra Gorda" copper mine. Two of these cranes are the 50-tonne version and the third is the 40-tonne version. All three cranes are mounted on foundation anchors. During the construction phase the cranes are used as classic tower cranes for effective load handling for the assembly of tanks, involving hoisting components weighing 14-17 tonnes. In the long term these three cranes will also be used as service and maintenance cranes at the mine.
The extreme geographical and climatic conditions not only present challenges to the workforce but also to the crane equipment. The high temperature differences of up to 40°C between night and day and the dust created by the arid desert climate produce extraordinary stresses. In addition Chile is one of the most earthquake-prone countries on Earth where earthquakes up to a magnitude of 5 are by no means a rarity. This means that all the cranes must comply with a Chilean standard which ensures that they are resistant to earthquakes.
You might also be interested in
10/15/2026
Press releases
Liebherr overcomes access restrictions to lift a Derrick crane onto a Paris high-rise roof
A Liebherr Derrick crane has been transported piece by piece onto the roof of the Opus 12 tower in Paris La Défense, using a goods lift and a helicopter. Because the heaviest and largest components could not reach the site and the roof could not bear the load of a standard crane, Liebherr Tower Crane Solutions, Liebherr France (LDF) and the client Legendre developed this rooftop lifting solution together.
10/13/2026
Listicles
7 projects that show how varied Tower Crane Solutions projects are around the globe
From the basilica in Barcelona to the airport in Santiago de Chile. The Liebherr Tower Crane Solutions (TCS) department has been involved in some of the world’s most demanding construction projects in recent years. Seven examples show how varied these projects can be around the globe. What all the projects have in common is that they call for individual crane concepts and close collaboration with customers.
10/08/2026
Press releases
Three Liebherr flat-top cranes support the transformation of Milan's Bovisa gasometers
Two early twentieth century gasometers in the Bovisa district of Milan are being redeveloped into a new innovation campus for Politecnico di Milano, based on a master plan by architect Renzo Piano. Since March 2025, three Liebherr flat-top cranes have covered the entire construction site, handling lifting and material handling work across the project.