BNamericas reported that industrial equipment and systems provider ABB plans to focus in 2008 on optimizing remote monitoring of its integrated processes for the mining industry.

Mr Enrique Daniel Rohde manager of ABB Chile told BNamericas that the company aims to promote automation equipment and processes for mining such as the PiiTD system used at Chilean state owned copper company Codelco's Andina division. He added that the PiiTD system is an integrated information platform for decision making in real time, which ABB is also working to implement at Brazilian integrated mining and metals company CVRD.

Mr Rodhe added he expects Chile's mining industry in 2008 to continue feeling the crunch from scarce energy and water and, therefore, said ABB is placing a high emphasis on solutions within these two areas.

ABB Chile provides equipment and services for Anglo Australian BHP Billiton's Spence copper mine in region II as well as Antofagasta Minerals' Los Pelambres mine in region IV. The company also has agreements to supply transformers for Codelco's Gaby project and automation systems for Antofagasta Minerals' Esperanza project.