Martin Brenner Regional Managing Director Latam WEIR
How is technology evolving in the mining industry and at Weir?
Our digital portfolio called 'NEXT' allows us to monitor wear life at spools, hoses, pumps, cyclones, mill liners, and in any wear component, which means that a customer can see what is happening inside the equipment, reducing downtime and improving safety. Mining in remote places, often with extreme weather, means that the industry is looking to have fewer personnel in the field. This then means that monitoring and diagnostic technology are becoming more important, as seen through the growing number of operations centers that are opening away from the mine site. Because of this trend, we are looking at digitizing all our equipment. Can you identify some of the challenges Weir has faced in Chile and how you overcame them?
Maintaining people has been a real challenge and ensuring we have the right people in the right places has become increasingly difficult. Mining is not a glamorous industry, and you have to be ready on weekends and during vacations to serve the needs of your clients, which means not everyone is willing to commit to such jobs. Therefore, having people in your company passionate about mining is key.
For young people, the most important factors in choosing a career are growth and job security. You have to have a roadmap and a commitment towards young people from the company, so they know that they are going to develop. This helps people stay in the industry for longer. Having workers be able to identify with projects is also vital to retaining staff.
Conversely, Chile as a mining jurisdiction provides great security and the country has become more politically stable over the last few years. This has given our investors and clients peace of mind in the long term. What is next for Weir in Chile in 2025?
Last year we rebranded, changing our image and incorporating our slogan ‘Mining Technology for a Sustainable Future’ as a front-facing part of our brand, which motivates us every day. For all the companies that form part of the Weir Group, we are 100% focused on mining and are passionate about what we do in the industry.
Eduardo Nilo CEO METSO CHILE
Can you provide an overview of Metso's performance and key developments in the past 12 months?
From our perspective in Chile and South America, we are witnessing potentially the most significant activity for creating new mining sites and developments. Our entire organization is adapting and developing to support this growth, which includes preparing for massive equipment purchases in the upcoming period.
We have also been encouraged by developments in permitting and social agreements, which seem to be moving in the right direction. The technological definitions appear appropriate for obtaining operational licenses for new mining operations and expansions.
What technological innovations has Metso been developing?
We have developed a new line of equipment that improves energy efficiency by at least 30% compared to previous technologies. A major milestone for us was the inauguration of our first large-scale recycling plant for mill linings in Chile. This facility can separate and recycle steel and rubber components, addressing sustainability challenges in mining equipment.
Each of our technologies now includes advanced connectivity, allowing for comprehensive data analytics, optimization, and remote monitoring. How is Metso addressing the challenges of declining mineral grades?
Our technological solutions now enable the economic processing of minerals with lower grades. In the comminution process, we have developed technologies that can handle these challenging mineral compositions efficiently. We are also exploring advanced filtration technologies, such as economic tailings filtration, which allows for water optimization and more sustainable processing methods.
How does Metso view Chile's role in the global mining landscape?
Chile has maintained its mining leadership for decades, and we believe it will continue to do so. However, our perspective is broader and more collaborative. We are equally excited about the potential of other countries like Argentina, which could become significant mining actors in the future. Chile's leadership extends beyond production volume. We see three key areas of leadership: production capacity, mining knowledge, and human capital.