“San Juan’s human capital is excellent. The government supports and trains that capital at technical and mid-level tiers across safety, environment, construction and metallurgy.”
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Could you introduce Grupo Dumandzic?
The group’s two principal companies are Construcciones Ivica Dumandzic (CIADSA), which specializing in road infrastructure, bridges, tunnels, airports, civil works and large earthworks, with a strong focus on public works, and Minera Zlato S.R.L., which focused on mining services, including the construction of leaching basins, tailings dams, lithium ponds, civil and industrial works, and large equipment rentals, with a strong focus on private sector activities. With over 70 years of experience, the group maintains a presence in San Juan, Jujuy, Salta, Catamarca, La Rioja, Mendoza, Neuquén, Santa Cruz, Córdoba, and Entre Ríos, developing projects of national magnitude.
We typically have around 600 employees and can increase to nearly 1,000 when construction for mining projects surges.
What is your track record and current scope of services in San Juan?
In San Juan, our work spans the full mine lifecycle. At Barrick’s Veladero operation, we constructed over 1.5 million m2 of leach pads. Between 2000 and 2004, we built all of the mine roads and escape routes. For 17 years, we maintained the 156 km access road from the lowlands to Veladero, crossing two passes at 5,000 m.
In exploration, we engineered and built access and platforms for Los Azules, and we support Pachón and Altar. With Fortescue, we are now in our seventh exploration season, providing heavy machinery services across their projects. Our exploration service model includes equipment rental with operators, fuel, camps, and all supporting logistics, ensuring that when a project transitions to mine construction, we are already established and prepared.
What is your view of San Juan’s copper pipeline and the province’s readiness?
Mining is now a fundamental actor in San Juan and has reshaped the economic matrix. The province today counts seven future copper mines and concentrates a substantial share of Argentina’s copper potential. Those projects will start; I cannot tell you whether that will be next year or later, but their commencement is a fact. Some are more advanced, and there are major initiatives, such as the Vicuña area, involving BHP and other groups. The province has been planning and investing, for example, in solar parks to bolster energy in line with greener technologies. Planning exists for roads and power infrastructure, but execution depends on funding and on the cadence of mining investment. As miners advance toward construction, the province advances in tandem. It is a provincial state policy.
If a major miner hits “enter” on a billion-dollar build, needs become immediate and significant. Roads will be required. Logistics centers, both terrestrial and rail, will be needed. New high-voltage power lines will be required. Regional customs centers will be needed.
Are you seeking international partners to scale up your operations?
We are in conversations with foreign companies, especially those from Peru and Chile. We would be delighted to expand our discussions with companies from Canada, UK, US and Spain. We are open to forming consortia because we recognize that we will need backing to scale. We also want to exchange training in occupational safety, environmental care and consulting. We are receptive and ready to form partnerships to face the exponential growth ahead.
How strong is the local talent base, and what internal preparations are you making?
San Juan’s human capital is excellent. The government supports and trains that capital at technical and mid-level tiers across safety, environment, construction and metallurgy. Unions support the growth as well. Professionals, universities, governments, unions, entrepreneurs, and chambers are aligned to support a mining industry with a 100-year horizon, similar to those in Chile or Peru.
Internally, our medium-term plan is to consolidate leadership in mining works, expand rental services to more locations and equipment types, and drive digital transformation with an ERP for integrated management. We will continue working closely with suppliers to support local community development.
What are your expectations and pipeline for the next year?
I expect continued strengthening of mining in San Juan and across the NOA and the South. Our pipeline includes consolidating leadership in mine-related civil works, expanding rental-with-service operations where lithium and base metals are being developed, and deepening our digital and community development initiatives. Given the capital and talent alignment in San Juan and our readiness from exploration through construction, we are positioned to support the coming cycle decisively.
Could you introduce Grupo Dumandzic?
The group’s two principal companies are Construcciones Ivica Dumandzic (CIADSA), which specializing in road infrastructure, bridges, tunnels, airports, civil works and large earthworks, with a strong focus on public works, and Minera Zlato S.R.L., which focused on mining services, including the construction of leaching basins, tailings dams, lithium ponds, civil and industrial works, and large equipment rentals, with a strong focus on private sector activities. With over 70 years of experience, the group maintains a presence in San Juan, Jujuy, Salta, Catamarca, La Rioja, Mendoza, Neuquén, Santa Cruz, Córdoba, and Entre Ríos, developing projects of national magnitude.
We typically have around 600 employees and can increase to nearly 1,000 when construction for mining projects surges.
What is your track record and current scope of services in San Juan?
In San Juan, our work spans the full mine lifecycle. At Barrick’s Veladero operation, we constructed over 1.5 million m2 of leach pads. Between 2000 and 2004, we built all of the mine roads and escape routes. For 17 years, we maintained the 156 km access road from the lowlands to Veladero, crossing two passes at 5,000 m.
In exploration, we engineered and built access and platforms for Los Azules, and we support Pachón and Altar. With Fortescue, we are now in our seventh exploration season, providing heavy machinery services across their projects. Our exploration service model includes equipment rental with operators, fuel, camps, and all supporting logistics, ensuring that when a project transitions to mine construction, we are already established and prepared.
What is your view of San Juan’s copper pipeline and the province’s readiness?
Mining is now a fundamental actor in San Juan and has reshaped the economic matrix. The province today counts seven future copper mines and concentrates a substantial share of Argentina’s copper potential. Those projects will start; I cannot tell you whether that will be next year or later, but their commencement is a fact. Some are more advanced, and there are major initiatives, such as the Vicuña area, involving BHP and other groups. The province has been planning and investing, for example, in solar parks to bolster energy in line with greener technologies. Planning exists for roads and power infrastructure, but execution depends on funding and on the cadence of mining investment. As miners advance toward construction, the province advances in tandem. It is a provincial state policy.
If a major miner hits “enter” on a billion-dollar build, needs become immediate and significant. Roads will be required. Logistics centers, both terrestrial and rail, will be needed. New high-voltage power lines will be required. Regional customs centers will be needed.
Are you seeking international partners to scale up your operations?
We are in conversations with foreign companies, especially those from Peru and Chile. We would be delighted to expand our discussions with companies from Canada, UK, US and Spain. We are open to forming consortia because we recognize that we will need backing to scale. We also want to exchange training in occupational safety, environmental care and consulting. We are receptive and ready to form partnerships to face the exponential growth ahead.
How strong is the local talent base, and what internal preparations are you making?
San Juan’s human capital is excellent. The government supports and trains that capital at technical and mid-level tiers across safety, environment, construction and metallurgy. Unions support the growth as well. Professionals, universities, governments, unions, entrepreneurs, and chambers are aligned to support a mining industry with a 100-year horizon, similar to those in Chile or Peru.
Internally, our medium-term plan is to consolidate leadership in mining works, expand rental services to more locations and equipment types, and drive digital transformation with an ERP for integrated management. We will continue working closely with suppliers to support local community development.
What are your expectations and pipeline for the next year?
I expect continued strengthening of mining in San Juan and across the NOA and the South. Our pipeline includes consolidating leadership in mine-related civil works, expanding rental-with-service operations where lithium and base metals are being developed, and deepening our digital and community development initiatives. Given the capital and talent alignment in San Juan and our readiness from exploration through construction, we are positioned to support the coming cycle decisively.
