"In mines with an established history, the challenge lies in balancing continuous improvement of efficiency and sustainability with maintaining daily operability and performance results."

Alvaro López

GENERAL MANAGER, WEIR PERU

September 11, 2024

How were Weir Peru's activities in 2023, and how is 2024 going?

The closing of 2023 was positive, driven mainly by the stability of copper prices and sustained growth in production. Despite external challenges, such as the political and climatic situation in Peru, we managed to maintain our long-term commitment to the mining industry.

Regarding the first half of 2024, we have seen a notable increase in the price of copper, reaching levels not seen for several years. This has prompted our mining clients to increase production to take advantage of this surge in mineral prices, which is a positive sign for the Peruvian market and our company. 

What equipment has the company been focusing on lately?

In recent months, Weir Peru has focused on strengthening several leading product lines and our renowned Warman pumping equipment. Highlights include our Lineatex linings and comminution equipment such as HPGR mills, crushers, hoses, mill linings, and valves. These products are increasingly in demand in the mining market. Our Enduron brand HPGRs are a prime example of our innovation. This equipment reduces energy consumption by up to 35% compared to conventional technologies and decreases water usage through its dry grinding process. This advancement optimizes operational efficiency and contributes to sustainability by minimizing carbon emissions and environmental footprint. We recently installed one of these systems at a mining site in the northern part of the country and have several ongoing projects.

In which other segments are Weir Peru present with innovative technologies?

Regarding our innovative technologies, we highlight two critical solutions in different segments. First, our Coarse Particle Flotation (CPF) solution optimizes the mineral recovery process by significantly reducing water and energy consumption during initial crushing. With CPF, we achieve up to a 40% reduction in crushing power, a 15% decrease in fine tailings generation, and a 20% decrease in energy consumption for dewatering while recovering up to 85% of the water used.

In waste management, our TerraFlowing solution revolutionizes tailings transformation by reducing water consumption by 50% and minimizing water storage, which is crucial in contexts like Peru. 

How difficult is it to implement these technologies and equipment in mining operations?

Implementing advanced technologies in existing mining operations presents significant challenges, especially compared to greenfield projects that can integrate these innovations from the outset. In mines with an established history, the challenge lies in balancing continuous improvement of efficiency and sustainability with maintaining daily operability and performance results. We understand these barriers and work closely with our clients to facilitate a gradual transition to these new technologies without compromising operational stability.

Furthermore, we recognize that resistance to change is natural in a sector where operational continuity is crucial. 

A standout example of our innovation is Synertrex Intelligence, an intelligent platform that optimizes equipment performance by capturing and analyzing real-time data. This technology enables predicting anomalies and minimizing downtime, thereby maximizing non-intrusive productivity by incorporating sensors and advanced analytics.

Could you highlight any specific cases in recent months where Weir Peru has contributed to improving operations?

In recent months, we have strengthened our position as leaders in the large and medium mining market, significantly enhancing our product mix and installed capacity. Our contribution has focused not only on our renowned pumps, but also on advanced solutions for comminution and other critical aspects of the mining production cycle. Through our expertise and our client’s trust in us, we have reinforced our commitment to proximity, reflected in our service centers in Cajamarca, Moquegua, and the investment in the new improved Center in Arequipa that will be inaugurated in August. 

What can we expect from Weir in the second half of 2024, and what goals would you like to achieve for next year?

For the second half of 2024 and next year, we expect to focus on our efficiency, productivity, and sustainability solutions. This focus is crucial for us and is reflected in promises and our concrete actions. Our equipment and engineering support these principles, and we are committed to delivering solutions that help our clients enhance their production processes, especially in this favorable cycle with mineral prices. 

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