Innovation, Joint Efforts Key to Industry’s Recovery

Q: How can mining companies take advantage of the present economic downturn?

A: Out of every crisis an opportunity arises. Mining is a cyclical industry, and I believe that the sector has already hit rock-bottom. We hope it will soon start to rebound. However, unlike other crises we have faced, the industry has never been shut down as it is today and the recovery period will be more difficult, requiring a joint effort. Now is the time to innovate and collaborate to keep companies and all their suppliers afloat.

Mining is becoming an industry that employs high levels of technology. It also embraces social commitment. We are sure that if the industry reaches an agreement with the government to gradually reactivate the sector, companies would commit in taking the necessary health and safety measures, many of which were in place before operations were shut down.

Q: The mining supply chain is integrated throughout the North American region. Is Proesmma’s supply chain at risk due to COVID-19?

A: Participating in international markets allows us to diversify our client portfolio and to be able to keep supply chains operating, especially those located abroad. We support the USMCA because Mexico has a lot to offer the North American region. This treaty will result in great benefits for the three countries. Mexico provides great benefits to the region and demands fair rates in exchange.

In the face of the pandemic, our supply chain has not been affected. Unfortunately, unlike other countries like the US and Canada, in Mexico the mining industry has been completely shut down because the government does not regard it as an essential activity. The entire industry is pressuring the federal government to understand the importance of mining, not only in economic terms, such as its contribution to national GDP or the direct and indirect jobs it provides throughout its entire supply chain, but also regarding the improvement in the quality of life it provides to its surrounding communities.

Q: Will the crisis unleashed by COVID-19 accelerate the mining industry’s innovation in Chihuahua and other regions?

A: There is no doubt that COVID-19 has forced us to find new ways of doing business. It is not by chance that e-commerce has increased more than 80 percent since the health crisis began. Companies need to maintain their income. It is clear to me that innovation is playing an elementary role now that we are unable to carry out our commercial transactions on a regular basis. As a result, it is a fact that innovation and the use of newer technologies have increased. This crisis has led us all to innovate.

Q: What problems does Proesmma solve in the mining industry that its competitors do not?

A: We sell steel balls in the mining industry, but the sale is just the first step in a long process that ends in a strong relationship with the client. We want to understand the basic needs of our clients. There are very good companies in the market that are dedicated to producing and selling steel balls, but that is all they do. It is important for us to have a constant presence in our clients' operations to detect areas of opportunity, tackle them and monitor the results. What has made Proesmma successful is the communication we have with our clients, not only on the commercial side but also in the technical area.

Q: How do you identify the necessary process for each mining operation?

A: Each mining operation is different. This means that each one has a very particular problem and area of opportunity. Our team helps companies easily identify those areas of opportunity. To achieve this, Proesmma visits the mines, so companies must be willing to let us into their operations. We want companies to improve their operations, which can lead to very large savings.