How was 2021 for JRI, and which of the company’s services were in most demand?

2021 was a very good year for JRI, as we managed to fulfil our business goals despite the challenges facing the industry both globally and locally. One of our main achievements was advancing the engineering of Codelco’s Rajo Inca project. Development at Rajo Inca started 2019 year, therefore demand for engineering and other elements of equipment acquisition forced us to be aligned with the construction plan.

Another important element was that in 2021, unlike the previous year, there were more value engineering projects such as conceptual studies, optimization project and concentrate process debottleneck.. A large part of these value engineering projects are transformed into long-term investment projects.  This is very positive, because if there is no conceptual studies, it means that in the future there will be less multidisciplinary engineering , less construction and even less investment. Better metals prices are certainly stimulating this demand, as well as a favorable outlook for metals in the future.

The Rajo Inca development is going to extend mine life at Codelco’s Salvador division until 2065. Can you tell us more about JRI's involvement with this project?

JRI has developed all of the engineering studies for the Rajo Inca project from 2016 year. We started with the value engineering and conceptual studies with a integrate scope (mine, plants, tailing dumps and infrastructure), then the feasibility study, and right now we are finishing the details engineering. We support the contracts of the operational teams, and as the only engineering company that has interacted with Codelco in this project, our participation is fundamental. JRI has developed the project with modern work methodologies such as Lean Full Design. BIM 4D and Advance Work Package (AWP)

How can JRI helps clients in the transition from open-pit to underground mining?

We have an underground mining design area, with more of 20 experience years, with a dedicated group that works on projects related to the transition from open-pit to underground mining. JRI has the experience to understand the technical and operational problems that occur in underground mining settings, in addition to how to enable the transition, which is in itself an important technical challenge. The challenges of underground mining include mineral transportation, ventilation, power supply, automatization, emission control and water, among other operations, and we have been developing solutions related to these areas  in many project already built.

JRI designs treatment plants, designs pipeline systems for water and mineral transportation, and designs tailings dams. Can you explain how these services help the sustainability of a mining operation?

JRI’s business is distributed into four business units: plants, pipelines, dams and underground mining. In each of them, we address not only the design but also the sustainability component. We have a sustainability team at JRI that analyzes the environmental and community aspects, permitting, and social license to operate. Within JRI’s sustainability team there are specialists for each of the business areas. For instance, sustainability problems in tailing dams are not the same as in an underground mine. In order for projects to be approved, they have to meet many requirements, including engineering, and we provide this service so that mining companies can manage their core business.

What would you say are the main differences between operating in Chile and Peru?

In Peru there is no large state mining corporation, as exists in Chile. Codelco is socially obliged to invest to maintain the copper production level, and accounts for over US$68 billion accumulated in Chile’s mining investment pipeline, more than 5% of all investment made on the country. A private company does not necessarily have to do it, if business is not good enought, or metal prices are low, or there is country risk. Peru depends more on the international market and private companies, and from our standpoint it can mean that engineering demands can be intermittent.

That being said, from a technical development point of view the two countries are very similar, with give synergies to engineering companies that work in both jurisdictions. The aspects of engineering design and mining technology used to be different, but now share the same modern approach.

To what extent do you think political changes in Chile could impact the country's mining sector?

Royalty and regulatory decisions such as those being discussed today in Chile, directly affect mining, and they impact the interest of international investors. For those of us operating in Chile, the concern is high, as there is uncertainty about what will happen. I have seen a certain animosity towards mining from some Chilean collectives that are anti-mining, based on weak levels of information. They rather perceive dogmas than reality. As an industry, it is important for us to take action, show what is really being done, and demonstrate to Chilean society that mining is socially responsible and necessary for the country to prosper.

What would you like to achieve with JRI in Chile in 2023?

For 2023, we have a strategic plan that we updated last year, related to diversifying as an engineering company. This includes looking at industries such as energy, and implementing more digital systems engineering, which is a path we started a long time ago but one which is gaining relevance. We also want to resume work outside of Chile.

JRI celebrates its 40^th anniversary in 2022. Through 40 years of project development we have worked hard to advance the development of Chilean mining, and for any mining client, JRI is going to be able to bring a lot of real experience.