What opportunities do you identify in the mining sector?

One of our strategic objectives is to position Dirac more strongly in the private sector, particularly in mining, where we believe our expertise, technological acumen, and international accreditations are a perfect fit to answer the industry’s challenges. The world’s largest silver producer, Mexico is a leading mining powerhouse, but it is not without challenges, particularly in terms of the social license to operate. Mining represents 2.5% of Mexico’s GDP and is a major employer paying about 30% higher than the average, yet the sector is often victim to misinformation and sometimes politicization. Water scarcity, particularly in the north of the country, which is also the main hub for mining, calls for very smart planning – something Dirac is an expert in. The 2023 reforms reducing the concession period and introducing stricter regulatory supervisions have created some instability in the sector. More than ever, having well-accredited partners, sound infrastructure, and the right technology, is crucial. The maturity of our organization, the in-house geological, geotechnical, structural, electrical, hydraulic, and processing expertise, and the wealth of experience in various sectors in and outside of Mexico position Dirac as the ideal partner for the mining sector. 

Could you elaborate on Dirac’s international footprint?

About eight years ago, we took a strategic decision to expand our presence beyond Mexico and have since opened subsidiaries in Colombia and Panama, from where we serve clients across the Central and South American regions. In We are currently deepening our footprint in both Colombia and Panama, while also bidding for projects in countries like Costa Rica and El Salvador and keeping Peru and Argentina on our radar for expansion in the near term.

What role does technology play in Dirac’s strategy and why have you decided to spin out QUBI?

Technology has been one of our key strategic directions – and a transformational one for Dirac. We had been in the market for over six decades and could not risk becoming overconfident and letting new-generation companies come into the market with cutting-edge solutions, while leaving us irrelevant. So we took control of our own destinies and became a technology-first company. Dirac developed a collaborative Advanced Project Management (APM) platform to follow up on the progress of a project in real time, equipped with AI modules for price and estimates reporting. Registered in Mexico, the solution became very successful, not only allowing for seamless interaction with clients, contractors, and internal teams for Dirac but also evolving into a self-standing solution that we could sell into the market. Similarly, we developed other software solutions for human resources, project management, ISO certifications, integrity systems, and so on, and decided it was not wise for Dirac to handle both the engineering and tech solutions side. This is why we created QUBI (short for Quantum Bit), a new company representing the technological solutions, while Dirac stays focused on its core business. QUBI will be spun out this year and have its own mission as a tech partner. 

Technological advancement will remain a constant priority at Dirac. For instance, we recently acquired drones to conduct spectral analysis, applied not only for infrastructure projects but also in sectors like land registry,  agriculture (winemaking) – we just had a pilot where we sent our drones to survey a vineyard – and other industries.

What makes Dirac a partner of choice for the private sector, including mining?

Private contractors are very keen on the latest technologies that can improve the bankability and performance of their projects, especially when they are handling multiple ongoing projects. As for the mining sector, we are certain that our technical expertise, our technological advancement as well as our international certifications under ISO 9000, ISO 14000 and ISO 45000 make of Dirac an asset and a strategic partner for the mining industry.

What are some of the challenges of operating in Mexico?

A lack of dialogue and transparency in policy-making is one of the main issues. For instance, a new reform (Public Works and Related Services Law), applicable to infrastructure projects, has been drafted without the industry’s consultation, which risks hindering the industry’s competitiveness.