Industry Leaders

Vicepresidente de Operaciones Centro Sur, Codelco, Chile y Presidente de Minin 2012 Vicepresidente de Operaciones Centro Sur, Codelco, Chile y Presidente de Minin 2012

Jorge Gómez

“Those of us who work in the mining industry are responsible for making this activity more desirable for young people”

The Chair of the 5th International Conference on Innovation in Mining Operations, Minin 2012, said that he accepted the offer to be president of the conference due to the conviction it possesses. “I think that one of the things one takes into consideration before making a decision like this is the amount of conviction with which you are going to participate. This has to do with the challenges that the industry faces and the need for us to get together to show our support and share our knowledge. By sharing these ideas we are ensuring that our industry continues to be increasingly efficient and competitive,” he said.

Why is Minin 2012 an interesting conference for the specialized public?
For the sheer fact that mining is currently a booming industry and will most likely remain so in the near future. There is a lot of interest in being able to explore areas of knowledge that will eventually stabilize low-grade deposits in such a way that the outcome will finally meet global market needs with respect to the activities that we develop; principally in copper, iron, gold, and silver.

What can you tell us that is new to this conference?
There are three or four things that are new. First, the technological challenges faced in the past have improved processes, and without these processes companies would not exist today. The conference is also a forum for sharing issues such as corporate social responsibility, analysing what is happening due to a labour shortage on both technical and professional levels. Lastly, I would say that if it is true that we are in a successful period, where the price of copper is high, no one can affirm that it will stay like this for many years. Therefore, in these times it is our need and responsibility to invest in technology in robotisation and automation so that when the time comes when things are not as thriving as they are now, we can cope better.

Lastly, regarding the lack of professionals in mining, how is this problem being handled today?
There are various ways. I would say that each company has its own politics with respect to this, but generally it is through relationships with technical institutes and universities. There is a personal responsibility for those of us who work in mining to make this activity more desirable for young people. I think that this issue has only just recently become important, it has not been sufficient for the demand that the industry has.