Can you provide an overview of JRI Ingeniería (JRI)’s performance in 2023?

The year 2023 was exceptional for JRI, possibly with the highest engineering sales in our entire history. We carried out significant studies and engineering projects for Codelco, BHP, Anglo American, CMP and Capstone. We reached approximately US$45 million in sales, a significant figure in the engineering field. Additionally, we strengthened our business units, exclusively focused on mining industry projects, including areas such as concentrator plants, underground mining, long-distance hydraulic transportation, and tailings design / management. Work teams were strengthened and relationships with clients improved, resulting in a successful and high activity year.

What are the most demanded engineering services by mining clients?

In the current context of high metal prices, mining clients are focusing on optimizing plant operations with prudent investments to improve processes, marginally expand capacity and capture economic benefits. These projects are rapidly executed to take advantage of favorable prices. Additionally, new mining projects are being developed to replace depleted operations and continue feeding plants. This is the case of Codelco, for example, which needs to incorporate more mines to maintain its operations in light of declining production.

On the other hand, water management is critical due to commitments made by mining companies to stop using continental water for legal, environmental and community reasons, as well as its scarcity caused by climate change. Desalination and water recirculation projects between the tailings dam and the plant have been undertaken, creating significant business opportunities for us. Furthermore, JRI is involved in structural engineering projects for Codelco, such as Chuquicamata Underground, Diamante, and Rajo Inca. We have also completed four tailings dam projects for Codelco at level of conceptual, basic and detail engineering.

Can you provide details of the studies JRI conducts for water optimization?

JRI has a research center with over 15 years of experience, focused on studying the rheology of tailings, incrustations, and hydraulic design optimization for transportation systems. This connection between the research center and the JRI company generates better solutions and designs for each hydraulic transportation system, optimizing the use of water in operations. 

What alternatives exist for optimizing water use in mining?

There are several ways to optimize water use in metallurgical processes and hydraulic transport. This includes process optimization to reduce water consumption, water recirculation in the plant, covering industrial pools to reduce evaporation, and exploring new supplies sources such as desalinated water. However, these solutions also have limitations in terms of cost and availability. Engineering companies like JRI help clients develop optimization projects to address these challenges. For example, we are working on a project for Codelco's Andina Division to recirculate water between the Ovejería tailings dam and the concentrator plant, which presents significant technical challenges due to the altitude difference. 

As the President of the Association of Consulting Engineers of Chile (AIC) what do you see as the main challenges and opportunities for engineering companies in Chile?

Despite the decrease in mining investment in the country compared to previous years, engineering companies have maintained high activity. This trend is expected to continue in 2024 and beyond, with increased demand for projects and engineering, especially in the mining sector. This will generate high levels of employment, and we are concerned about the potential shortage of specialized engineering professionals, especially in geotechnical, geomechanical, and underground mining. This is due to a lack of replacements for engineers who have pursued other activities during the pandemic and have not returned to the field of engineering. 

What are JRI's objectives for the coming years?

JRI has a clear objective of strengthening its presence in the region. We already have an office in Peru, where we expect the mining sector to gain strength in the coming months, and plan to reinforce our presence in Ecuador, where we already have a partnership with a local company for project execution, and where mining is just beginning to develop. We also aim to increase our participation in private mining in Chile, with a focus on clients like BHP. Additionally, we want to explore opportunities in the non-metallic sector, such as lithium. Currently, we have 505 employees and new facilities, and we aim to grow by 10% compared to 2023.