Smart Mining: The Key to Safe and Sustainable Operations

By Carlos Ochoa, Industry and Consumer Manager for Peru at Minsait (Indra Group)

Peruvian mining can no longer afford to operate as it did before. With risks threatening the continuity of operations, communities on constant alert, and growing pressure from international markets, the sector stands at the threshold of an indispensable transformation. Artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced data analytics are not only changing the way we produce, but they are also paving the way for safer, more efficient, and sustainable mining.

For years, mining has operated on a mostly reactive model, addressing problems after they occur. However, AI allows for anticipation: predicting failures, detecting anomalies, and acting before threats compromise operations or worker safety. This capability not only boosts productivity but also protects those working in high-risk environments.

Sector numbers support this urgency. In March 2024, The mining and hydrocarbons sector grew by 2.60% year-over-year in the first three quarters, driven by a 4.00% increase in the first three quarters in the metal mining sector. In 2024, tax revenue from the mining subsector reached S/ 18.383 billion, a 14.1% increase year-over-year. In addition, copper production in Peru increased by 12.7% year-over-year in 2023, maintaining its position as the world's second-largest producer. These figures show that the sector is in motion, but also that opportunities and risks are growing at the same pace.

But it's not just about technology or numbers. Mining needs a comprehensive transformation that includes a change-oriented mindset, the adoption of collaborative methodologies, and the formation of teams ready to operate in a digital environment. True innovation happens when people lead technological change, not simply adopt it.

The benefits are evident. With AI, mines can optimize water and energy consumption, reducing environmental impact and enabling mining companies to meet demanding sustainability standards. They can implement surveillance systems to protect the environment from external threats, such as illegal mining or ore theft. And, above all, they can ensure safer and more sustainable operations for their professionals.

In a sector vital to the Peruvian economy—and where communities and the environment also play decisive roles—technology becomes an ally in building trust and promoting responsible, formal mining. We must be committed to this vision: accompanying mining companies in their evolution toward an intelligent, safe, and sustainable operating model, where data and artificial intelligence lead the way to more humane mining, prepared for the future. Smart mining is not the future: it is the present. And the time to act is now.