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Group of workers from MOP and mechanics from Komatsu during
equipment assembly and training on Easter Island
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PC200 hydraulic excavator used in Mataveri
Airport operations working at the rock quarry
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Komatsu's PC200 disembarking at Easter
Island from Valparaiso, Chile
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Moving equipment from the seaport to
the quarry
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The
meaning of Chile is thought to originate from “where the land ends.” Stretching
a long and narrow 4,270 km (2,653 mi) north to south, this territory of diverse
landscapes is home to over 16 million people.
Bordered by beautiful beaches on the Pacific coast and the majestic Andes mountain
range to the east, the climate and landscape of Chile vary greatly. In the north
lies the arid Atacama desert, which sharply contrasts the lush landscape to the
south and the white of Antarctica to the extreme south.
Chile is also well known as one of the world's leading copper-producing nations.
Mines such as the Chuquicamata, Escondida, Radomiro Tomic, Andina and Collahuasi
are where Komatsu's extraction and earth-moving equipment can be found operating
as well.
Chile's Isolated Cultural Treasure
One of the most fascinating and attractive places of this South American country
is Easter Island. Declared a Cultural Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO in 1995,
it is one of the most remote inhabited places in the world. Located 3,600 km
(2,237 mi) from the Chilean coast, the complex megalithic culture of the island
mixes myth and reality. Rapa Nui, the indigenous name for Easter Island as well
as the name of the national park that encompasses the entire island, is a treasure
with value that extends beyond its borders.
Comprised of a triangular 163 km2 (63 mi2), this island has drawn the attention
of millions of visitors. Besides boasting amazing landscapes, it is recognized
for its legendary volcanic stone monuments, the moais. The archaeological vestiges,
history, culture and friendly inhabitants turn Easter Island into a magical experience
for tourists.
The subtropical climate contributes to pleasant weather allowing year-round travel
to this beautiful and wonderful place. Horse rides, surfing, scuba diving, fishing
with torches, shore fishing and traditional fishing are only some of the sport
activities that the island offers. Culturally, the folklore invites tourists
to experience the cuisine, beliefs, sounds, traditions and daily life of the
inhabitants.
Easter Island is the most distant geographic point on the Earth. The locals also
call it “Te Pito” or “Te Henua,” which means the navel of the world. And it is
exactly at this very place that Komatsu equipment is present.
Komatsu Measures Up to Unique Island Challenge
Komatsu Chile S.A. (KCH) tested the ability to work in conditions of extreme
isolation and corrosive conditions imposed by the marine atmosphere and the subtropical
climate of Easter Island when selling three new units of equipment to the Public
Works Ministry (MOP) for use at a basaltic rock quarry in relation to operations
at Mataveri Airport on Easter Island. In addition to delivering the D65EX, PC200
and WA200 machines to Easter Island, KCH was responsible for putting the units
into operation by providing technical and operator training for the MOP personnel
assigned there.
“What's most important for us is to make sure the MOP personnel on the island
are supplied with reliable equipment that enables us to keep going with development
projects, especially when thinking about the extreme isolation,” states Mr. Alexander
Kolbec, MOP operations engineer.
In meeting this unique challenge, the after-sales service provided by KCH is
crucial, with efforts focused on keeping the equipment in good operating condition.
In conjunction, to ensure quality service, Komatsu equipment relies on the machine
tracking system, KOMTRAX, for actively maintaining after-sales service from continental
Chile. KOMTRAX monitors the main parameters of the equipment, allowing Komatsu
to anticipate any maintenance, spare parts and undercarriage needs as well as
to receive any other system alerts. Komatsu also uses global positioning system
(GPS) technology to know the location and keep track of the units from the continent
or anywhere else.
Once again, Komatsu is playing an active role in one of the most impressive places
on the planet.
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