Can you provide us with an overview of Worley's presence in Latin America and Brazil?

We are a professional services company of energy, chemicals and resources experts helping our customers shift their operations towards a more sustainable future. We’re a global team of 50,000, with over 3,500 people based in six countries in Latin America: Mexico, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Brazil, and Argentina. In Brazil, we have around 1,000 people. Our consulting group focuses on supporting customers with new challenges around decarbonization, sustainability, and net-zero targets. We also concentrate on the tail end of the asset life cycle, including mine closure and remediation. We see growth opportunities as Brazil receives more investment in non-ferrous and energy transition materials.

Worley's history in Latin America goes back to the 1960s, with significant operations in both Brazil and Chile. We acquired the engineering arm of Camargo Corrêa in Brazil in 2010, which has provided us with extensive engineering capabilities across various industries. While mining was not a strong focus initially, we have since bolstered our presence in that sector and now have offices in regions such as Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janeiro. We are also working on hydrogen projects, particularly in the Porto do Açu area, collaborating with various companies. We also engage in gas-related projects, which are seen as pathways to net-zero operation and are involved in the production of two thermal power plants.

Can you discuss Worley's involvement in hydroelectric and tailings remediation projects?

Hydroelectric power is a significant portion of Brazil's energy supply. We do a substantial amount of hydroelectric work in Brazil. We are looking mainly at the modernization of ageing assets. Our efforts involve updating control systems and hydraulic control. We have a dedicated team working on large-scale projects like Itaipu and Belo Monte, as well as smaller projects in Mozambique and Australia.

There are several crossovers between tailings remediation and hydroelectric operations. We address issues like dam stability and maintenance while simultaneously looking at reprocessing tailings. For instance, we have worked on projects in Chile where we are examining tailings reprocessing to reduce the risks of tailings dam failures and contamination while relocating tailings to safer areas.

What services does Worley provide for the mining industry in Brazil?

Our service portfolio for the mining industry in Brazil includes sustaining capital and regulatory compliance, particularly in the wake of the Samarco and Brumadinho disasters, focusing heavily on tailings remediation. We have done extensive consulting work with companies like Vale on tailings remediation. We are now moving toward delivering larger green-field projects that are transformative for companies like Vale, which are diversifying their portfolios. Our experience in lithium projects positions us well in this space as we look to deliver cost-effective solutions. For our digital portfolio, one of our major digital initiatives is the development of autonomous mining solutions, both above and below ground. We are working on projects focused on autonomous operations and the electrification of fleets to phase out diesel-powered vehicles.

How does Worley address sustainability and ESG commitments?

We have made efforts to reduce our environmental footprint, such as using renewable energy sources in our offices and eliminating single-use plastics. In our projects, we focus on designing for decarbonization, and we have systems to track and demonstrate emissions savings. In Brazil, the focus areas for decarbonization are the mining fleet and leveraging renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower. We are also optimizing mine layouts to reduce reliance on trucks and enhance material handling via conveyor systems. Social considerations are critical in the country, and we have a dedicated team focused on social responsibility. We have been involved in education and training programs in the Amazon for over 20 years, collaborating with companies like Alcoa on their bauxite extraction projects.

What are Worley's priorities for the next 12 to 18 months in Brazil?

We are optimistic about the mining sector's developments and are excited to sponsor EXPOSIBRAM. Major players like BHP and Rio Tinto are evaluating new assets in Brazil, particularly in base metals and lithium. We believe investments will increase over the next 12 months, and we are well-positioned to assist our customers in delivering projects effectively in Brazil. We aim to leverage our capabilities across different sectors to address client challenges in the mining industry.