Marcelo Henríquez on Reporte Minero TV: Early Decisions That Can Shape a Mining Project

What decisions can make the difference in the development of a mining project? For Marcelo Henríquez, Vice President, Chile at Ausenco, much of the answer lies in early-stage engineering and the ability to anticipate challenges before moving into the field.

In a new edition of Reporte Minero y Energético, a Channel 24 Horas program hosted by Nicolás Vial, the expert discussed the challenges currently facing the mining industry and explained why decisions made during the conceptual and pre-feasibility stages can be critical to a project’s viability, costs, and future performance.

During the conversation, he also discussed the pipeline of greenfield and brownfield projects required to meet the growing future demand for critical minerals and support the global energy transition. He highlighted Ausenco’s capabilities to support these initiatives throughout the entire project lifecycle, from early-stage studies and planning through to full project execution.

Featuring Marcelo Henríquez, Vice President, Chile at Ausenco.

Interview Highlights

• Early engineering decisions can have a significant impact on CAPEX, construction timelines, and operational performance.

• In greenfield projects, factors such as sustainability, water management, and energy efficiency should be considered from the outset.

• In brownfield projects, the challenge is to integrate new infrastructure and technology without compromising operational continuity.

• To meet the growing demand for critical minerals and support the energy transition, a strong pipeline of both greenfield and brownfield projects will be essential, with strategic planning required across all stages of development.

• As ore bodies become more complex, engineering plays a key role in identifying solutions that optimize performance and resource utilization.

As mining projects become increasingly complex, anticipating decisions can be just as important as executing them. Watch the full interview to hear Ausenco’s perspective on the role of engineering in shaping mining projects of the future.