Luis Soruco General Manager Chile ARCADIS
Can you give us an update on milestones for Arcadis in Chile?
We transitioned from a period where investment was quite slow to an acceleration that began in early 2023 and advanced swiftly into execution stages throughout 2024. The proportion of services we provide from the consulting side shifted from analyzing and doing trade-offs to rapidly executing projects for construction as soon as possible. There was a very strong click at the beginning of last year, driven by higher commodity prices and stronger demand. What other important developments have you seen in the industry?
First is a much more robust level of standards in mining, especially those coming from GISTM and ICMM. The second is that we are concretely seeing decarbonization studies of mining operations. Mining companies quickly migrated to renewable energy contracts to change their energy matrix 100%. Can you describe the services Arcadis offers and which are most in demand in Chile's mining sector?
Our services range from Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) to specialized engineering tailored to EIA requirements. We work on mining process plants, ancillary infrastructure, and tailings facilities. In these areas, we are developing innovations to enhance the efficiency of tailings management, whether through reuse, volume reduction, or minimizing water consumption. How is Arcadis preparing for Cochilco's projection of more than US$83 billion in investment in Chile?
One of the key strategies for preparation is expanding Arcadis’ global collaboration. The industry—particularly in Chile—is facing a major challenge: there simply aren’t enough professionals available locally to meet the growing demand for project development. Currently, we collaborate with around 50 professionals from Peru and 10 to 20 from Brazil. In Chile, we have a team of 490, and we bring in an additional 50 to 100 professionals thanks to remote work technologies. This model allows us to seamlessly integrate talent from Panama, Mexico, Peru and Brazil into our operations.
Juan Ignacio Ríos and Carolina Páez JR: General Manager CP: Mining Manager WSP
Can you give us a general update on WSP in Chile and the mining division?
CP: The growth of last year in the mining area is outstanding internally in Chile, with expansion into areas such as mine closure, including the development of pre-feasibility engineering studies for the closure of four large tailings storage facilities (currently in operation), located in different regions of the country. We are very consolidated in tailings design and associated works, including geomechanics and geoscience. What role does WSP play in developing sustainable and safer solutions for tailings and water management?
JR: We are proud to be the designers of Anglo American’s Hydraulic Dewatered Stacking (HDS) project at El Soldado. We are now moving into the next stage of HDS, working to expand the application of this technology. How does WSP prepare and retain qualified personnel and promote diversity, especially for women in mining?
JR: Attracting and retaining talent is a permanent strategic focus. We prioritize making people feel comfortable and supporting their professional growth. We maintain close ties with universities to attract young talent and actively seek experienced professionals from the market. Retaining talent is challenging, particularly against strong competition from mining companies, but we have managed it successfully. What growth plans and strategies does WSP have for Chile and the mining division?
JR: In Chile and Argentina, we have achieved continuous growth since WSP entered the region. Our strategic plan is solid, and for 2025, we are integrating digital growth initiatives as part of our ongoing strategic evolution.
CP: The strategic plan for Chile and mining rests on growing mining processes, infrastructure, and mine closure services. We are expanding large capital projects capabilities with the support of our Australian colleagues, whose deep expertise enhances our delivery capacity.