This initiative aligns with TAC's commercial strategy to offer intermodal services that connect Atlantic ports with mining projects in the Northwest of Argentina (NOA), focusing on the lithium and copper industries and other productive sectors.
During these tests, a train loaded with sodium carbonate travelled 2,000 kilometres from various locations in Buenos Aires province to the Puna region in Salta. As part of the trial, the train added a wagon at the Güemes Logistic Node and Dry Port, a new infrastructure designed to enable multimodality by optimising loading and unloading times, thus enhancing the competitiveness of the NOA's regional economies.
TAC invited representatives from mining projects and logistic service companies to participate in the tests, working towards developing logistic solutions for the mining industry. The current infrastructure of the railway network, especially the C14 branch line connecting Güemes and Socompa stations, is highlighted as a strategic, efficient, and competitive option for transporting production and supplies from the NOA.
TAC officials have stated their focus on the mining sector, recognising its potential impact on both the Argentine freight rail system and the local economy. They believe that supporting the mining industry will directly benefit the railway cargo system. The trials demonstrated the railway's functionality in Puna and its intermodal integration, aiming to meet the demands of the sector. Currently, the railway can transport 700,000 tons annually, with the potential to triple this volume in the coming years.