How is INCIMMET leveraging its experience in Peru and countries in the region to enter the underground mining market in Chile, and what are the potential prospects?

Potential prospects for underground mining in Chile are good, and we have plenty to contribute to it with our mine backfill services and the integration of vertical and horizontal excavation. INCIMMET Chile specializes in providing comprehensive mining services, particularly for mid-tier mines, by using sublevel stoping mining methods. Moreover, we are venturing into the market with our backfill, vertical development, and horizontal development services. Regarding backfilling, we focus on EPC, engineering, plant construction, and implementing several techniques such as paste backfill, hydraulic cemented backfill, and cemented rock fill. In vertical excavation, we also focus on EPC and can build shafts with diameters up to 4.1 meters. Additionally, our horizontal development capabilities allow us to take contracts between 8 to 12 kilometers annually with sections measuring up to 6.0 meters by 6.0 meters.

We enhance our value proposition by effectively managing quality, safety, innovation, productivity, inclusion, and circular mining. To ensure excellent services, we collaborate with skilled professionals both in Chile, Peru, and potentially worldwide, depending on the contract requirements and technical complexities. What have been the most notable projects INCIMMET has worked on in the last year?

In 2022 we positioned ourselves as the leading contractor at Nexa's Cerro Lindo, one of the largest underground mines in Peru, where we have been working for ten years. Our work at Cerro Lindo exemplifies our pursuit of long-term strategic client relationships. Likewise, with another client, Buenaventura, we accompanied them in their mines in southern Peru: Tambomayo and Orcopampa. We are the only contractor in Peru capable of offering these integrated solutions for mine backfill since we have vast experience not only in the operation of pit backfill but also in the engineering, procurement, construction, and assembly of backfill plants. How important is innovation for INCIMMET?

Innovation and industrial safety are part of our work philosophy. We try to provide technological developments to adapt to customer needs and improve employees’ safety and working conditions in the industry. We focus on innovation in engineering controls to reduce people's exposure to hazardous activities.

Our most mature innovation is the integration of a drone with a technical camera and an algorithm that will work with artificial intelligence. Our development already allows us to predict rock falls, the leading cause of fatal accidents in underground mining. Another of our technological developments is a robotic arm with cameras and sensors for the automated loading of drills, which is also a high-risk manual activity. Do you believe that automation is a threat to employment?

Automation will tend to replace repetitive and risky jobs, which does not imply a reduction in the demand for labor as we believe there will be a labor reconversion towards maintenance and training of the new technology and strategic decision-making. Young talent today has a perspective of technological change and innovation, and within the next five years, we will see significant changes in underground mining. How does INCIMMET contribute to fostering talent and bringing together the mining industry and academia?

Working on innovation in mining requires the ability to work across multiple stakeholders. Consequently, we are creating a collaborative ecosystem with universities to work and develop innovation from a framework where all parties benefit, including stakeholders such as the government and customers. One of our objectives is to bequeath a message of enthusiasm and optimism to future generations around mining. What is INCIMMET's approach to sustainability?

For INCIMMET, sustainability is focused on industrial safety. We see the integrity of our employees and their positive impact on their families as the central pillar of sustainability. Also, we are a company that certifies the entire portfolio of its services with the ISO trinomial for industrial safety, environment, and quality. Additionally, we have programs for harmonious work with our areas of influence that are aligned with the commitments adopted by our customers. What is INCIMMET's international projection strategy?

Since 2022 we have been executing a regional expansion strategy and looking to take advantage of opportunities in other countries in the region. While we have already developed projects in different countries in the area, such as Argentina, Colombia, Bolivia, and Nicaragua, since 2017, we have been working in Colombia full-time. Now we want to repeat that success story in other countries.