Can you summarize the progress made by Cbb Cales over the past 12 months?

The year 2024 was particularly dynamic and successful for Cbb Cales. During this period, the company solidified its presence in Chile through key infrastructure projects. Among the most notable milestones were the investment in a new storage and distribution center in Pozo Almonte and the expansion of grinding operations in Copiapó. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy aimed at strengthening logistical and operational capacity across Chile’s major mining regions. In addition, within the lime business, we made progress in Antofagasta with the environmental impact assessment for two new kilns, scheduled to begin operations in 2027.

How do you assess the current copper and lithium markets, and what impact do they have on Cbb Cales?

Copper remains a critical industry for both Chile and Argentina, while the lithium sector has gained remarkable traction in recent years, especially due to its role in powering electric vehicle batteries, which continue to grow in global demand. As part of our investment plan for Chile and Argentina, one of our main goals is to install three new state-of-the-art kilns to meet the rising demand from customers in large-scale copper and lithium mining.

Cbb Cales (formerly INACAL) has been a trusted partner to the mining industry for over 30 years, supplying high-quality quicklime primarily for copper, lithium, and steel production. With these new investments, we are positioning ourselves to support the expected growth of these industries in both countries.

What is your current production capacity, and what is the potential for expansion in Chile and Argentina?

Cbb Cales has launched a five-year, US$100 million investment plan, with a strong focus on expanding operations in Argentina. Despite being in an expansion phase, our production has remained steady and uninterrupted. Today, our facilities have an installed production capacity of 1.2 million t.

With environmental permits currently underway, we plan to increase that capacity by an additional 900,000 t through the installation of two new kilns in Antofagasta and to triple our production in Argentina.

How has technology recently influenced the development of the lime industry?

To maximize lime efficiency and develop tailored solutions for our clients, Cbb Cales established an ‘Applications and Innovation Center’ in Antofagasta, unique in South America. This testing center replicates the key industrial processes where lime is used, such as copper, lithium, and gold processing, gas desulfurization, effluent neutralization, and heavy metal abatement. With the support of our specialized team, we help clients optimize lime use in their operations by designing custom solutions that create added value and improve process performance.

What steps has Cbb Cales taken regarding safety and sustainability?

Cbb Cales maintains a strong commitment to safety, which is a core pillar of our organizational culture. To safeguard our employees, we’ve implemented a series of plans and initiatives at every level of the company, integrating technology as a key enabler to promote operational excellence and a proactive safety culture, especially in our transportation operations.

On the environmental front, one of our key priorities is reducing our carbon footprint. To that end, we’re planning the installation of two high-efficiency vertical kilns in Chile, equipped with cutting-edge global technology. These kilns will be more energy-efficient and significantly reduce CO₂ emissions, contributing to a lower environmental impact. This commitment is fully aligned with our sustainability agenda, which emphasizes responsible growth and respect for the environment and local communities.

What are the strategic goals and plans for Cbb Cales for the remainder of 2025 and the years ahead?

As mentioned, we plan to expand our production capacity in Antofagasta and Argentina by installing three new kilns in the coming years, aimed at meeting the growing demand from the lithium industry in both countries. We are also working to strengthen relationships with our clients. More than just a supplier, we strive to offer a personalized and innovative experience tailored to their specific needs. To stay close to our customers, we’ve recently opened a modern distribution center in Pozo Almonte, which complements our existing facilities in Santiago, San Felipe, and Antofagasta.

On the innovation front, we recently launched our fully automated mobile lime slurry plant at the Expomin trade show in Santiago, Chile. This solution ensures continued production during maintenance of fixed facilities and allows for increased output during periods of high demand. 

Finally, we continue to enhance logistics safety. Cbb Cales supplies lime to over 60 locations and oversees more than 350 drivers operating 280 distribution trucks across various shifts. Ensuring the safety of our people throughout the supply chain, as well as maintaining reliable logistics to guarantee consistent material availability and uninterrupted service at all client sites, are key advantages we deliver as a company.