Chilean state-owned mining company Codelco has signed a one-year cooperation agreement with French energy research institute CEA-Liten to advance the electrification of underground mining equipment as part of broader efforts to reduce emissions and improve operational safety.
The agreement was formally signed at Codelco’s headquarters in Santiago and brings together industrial, academic and government partners to explore the deployment of battery-electric technologies in underground mining environments.
The initiative will focus on evaluating electrification solutions through advanced simulations, laboratory testing of lithium batteries and techno-economic assessments aimed at supporting the mining sector’s energy transition.
Jointly Funded by Chilean and French Partners
The project will be financed by Codelco and the French government through the Fund for Studies and Assistance to the Private Sector (FASEP), a programme designed to promote the transfer of sustainable technologies to strategic industries.
The collaboration also includes participation from the University of Chile through its Advanced Mining Technology Centre and the Centre for Sustainable Acceleration of Electromobility.
French battery manufacturer WattAlps will contribute by designing and supplying battery systems for testing at CEA-Liten’s laboratories in Grenoble, France.
Focus on Battery-Electric Mining Solutions
Under the agreement, Codelco and CEA-Liten will jointly evaluate technologies that could support the electrification of underground mining fleets.
The work will include defining technical specifications, assessing the maturity of available technologies and analysing the technical and economic viability of different electrification pathways.
Researchers at CEA-Liten will conduct detailed battery performance testing to better understand how advanced lithium-based energy storage systems can operate in demanding underground mining conditions.
The findings are expected to form the basis for future research and development projects between the organizations.
Supporting Mining Decarbonisation
Codelco views the electrification of underground equipment as a key component of its long-term sustainability strategy.
Battery-electric mining vehicles can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while improving workplace safety by eliminating diesel exhaust and reducing the need for fuel handling and maintenance activities underground.
The company believes electrification can contribute to cleaner and more efficient mining operations while strengthening the industry’s competitiveness.
Building International Innovation Partnerships
Codelco Corporate Manager of Innovation and Technology Felipe Lagno emphasized the importance of international collaboration in accelerating technological development.
“Beyond accessing cutting-edge technologies, we seek to develop frontier knowledge in partnership with centres of excellence, universities and industry,” Lagno said.
“With alliances like this, we are accelerating the Chilean industry’s transition to sustainable, safe and globally competitive mining.”
Expanding Critical Minerals Strategy
The agreement forms part of Codelco’s broader efforts to strengthen its position in the global energy transition value chain.
In December 2025, Codelco and lithium producer SQM established the NovaAndino Litio joint venture to oversee the exploration, production and commercialization of lithium resources in Chile’s Salar de Atacama.
As demand for battery materials continues to rise, the company is increasingly investing in initiatives that support both critical mineral production and the decarbonisation of mining operations.
The partnership with CEA-Liten reflects growing international cooperation aimed at accelerating the adoption of clean technologies in one of the world’s most important mining regions.