"We recently won the Smart Catalonia Challenge competition for using technology based on machine learning to improve the management of water quality. We are currently applying this type of technology to improve our services in a pilot project in Peru."
Amphos21 was recently acquired by the RSK group. What does this acquisition mean for the company?
2020 was extremely disruptive, but culminated with the acquisition of Amphos21 by RSK Group on December 28th. This has been excellent news for us, as it confirms the great trajectory of our company and allows us to be part of a strong group with a powerful presence in Europe and internationally. The group works in areas related with the environment and has services which were not yet inside our portfolio.
RSK is a very flexible group which respected our structure and working style, therefore, our structure has not changed, our management teamremains the same, we have not changed our brand and we have become integrated under RSK’s international division. The strategy of the group is to grow organically with its brand and inorganically with companies that can complement its service offering. Growth in mining in Latin America is part of the company goals for coming years.
Which services are you planning to introduce in Peru’s mining sector?
RSK Group has a strong experience working in areas related with the environmental assessment, water cycleclimate change, renewables, digital transformation and remote sensing. It also has huge expertise on environmental remediation, which is closely related to our day-to-day activities such as mine closure or the management of environmental liabilities. We believe we will be able to incorporate many of these services in Peru.
Can you give us details about some of the current projects you are working on?
Inside the environmental and water cycle, we cover a wide range of services giving support on the whole process of the life of a mine. I would mention those related with essential activities, which helped us greatly during the pandemic; examples on this are dewatering activities for Antamina orassociated to tailings reprocessing for Minsur. Also closure activities and optimization of waste (acid) water for some of our key clients such as Buenaventura group. Not only do we work in consulting and engineering, but also in the design of solutions so we can provide engineering, procurement and construction for clients.
Amphos21 was recently awarded the 1st prize of the Smart Catalonia Challenge. Can you tell us about this and elaborate on the importance of R&D for the company?
Amphos21 has always had a strong focus on research, development and innovation which comes from Spain, and since the beginning, we have been linked to European investigation programs. We are proud that we recently won the Smart Catalonia Challenge competition for using technology based on machine learning to improve the management of water quality. We are currently applying this type of technology to improve our services in a pilot project in Peru.
We believe the development of machine learning, Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things is where we should head, in order to improve the safety of mining operations and to reduce costs. At Amphos21, we aim to be early implementers of these technologies into the water cycle, and even develop these technologies if possible. We have made investments in this sense for several years, and fortunately, we have sustainable clients who trust us to carry out pilot projects.
What are the company’s goals for the coming years and what growth potential do you see in Peru?
Mining is a large part of Peru’s economy and there will be great opportunities for growth in this sector, especially if the country manages to continue on the path it has followed for years of attracting foreign investment. There is significant potential to optimize water processes in the mines, and new technologies will help with this. Amphos21 has experienced constant growth for many years, even in 2020, and we expect to continue growing, providing solutions to the mining sector. After our company’s acquisition by RSK, there is great potential to develop and incorporate new services and product lines in Peru.
Amphos21 was born with a vocation to innovate. We have many years of experience and this gives us an excellent learning curve. In addition, clients are always at the center of our activities: we listen to them, understand their problems, and help them with the development of the solutions they need. Our aim is to be their long-term partners and create value for them.
