What prompted you to participate in the project of Mapla during its inception?
Nine years ago we started with the idea of brining mining maintainers together because we did not have a commonplace to meet. All seminars and conferences that were related to mining were targeted towards operators, in metallurgy or the general mining industry. The topic of maintenance was just an add-on. However, maintenance is a very relevant topic: within the value of a pound of copper, 35% goes to maintenance. Therefore, we wanted maintainers to have their own space to talk and see how we can improve and achieve best practices. I have been proud to have been a part of Mapla from the beginning and see that now we have reached 9 years because today maintainers have their identity. I think we have fulfilled 100% of their expectations.

What do you think of Gecamin´s role in the organisation of this conference
When we started, we began to see who could help us organise the conference. I think it was wise move to have the conference organised with Carlos Barahona (General Manager, Gecamin), because it gives you all of this (showing a room full of sponsor stands where a coffee break is held between sessions): an elaborated event that would be difficult for a miner to coordinate. One would only focus on the meetings, but I think everything that is behind a seminar is really hard work. Organising a conference nowadays entails a year of work by Gecamin with the sole objective of the event being top-notch. The conference has endured these 9 years thanks to Gecamin.