Jueves Minero | Inteligencia artificial y certificación ambiental: la nueva era digital del SENACE

Welcome and Safety Instructions

Introduction to the Event

• The event is hosted at the Instituto de Ingenieros de Minas del Perú, emphasizing safety protocols for attendees.

• Attendees are reminded to silence devices and follow emergency exit procedures. Five exits are available on the first level and one on the second.

Acknowledgments

• Special greetings to students from Universidad Nacional Santiago Antú de Mayolo, highlighting their presence as an honor.

• The session will focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and environmental certification in mining, marking a significant shift in environmental management and digital transformation.

Role of SENACE in Environmental Management

Modernization Initiatives

• SENACE is promoting innovative digital solutions to enhance environmental management aligned with sustainability challenges faced by Peru.

• The conference aims to explore how AI can strengthen institutional frameworks for responsible mining practices.

Presenters' Background

Key Speakers

• Silvia Cuba, Executive President of SENACE, has extensive experience in environmental certification and social management within extractive sectors. She holds advanced degrees in sociology and sustainable development.

• César Ramos, advisor at SENACE, specializes in environmental engineering with a focus on project evaluation and conflict resolution related to socio-environmental issues. His background includes roles at OEFA and the Ministry of Energy and Mines.

Panelists Introduction

Notable Panelists

• Magali Bardales: Director at Instituto de Ingenieros de Mina del Perú with over 20 years of legal experience in mining; she has held various leadership roles within national mining organizations.

• Joana Yanes: Senior Corporate Auditor for Cerro Verde with expertise in civil industrial engineering; she brings over two decades of experience in the mining sector.

• Jimmy Guarnizo: Manager of Environment at Minera Boró; he has specialized training in mine closure plans and community relations within the mining industry.

Conference Kickoff

Opening Remarks

• An acknowledgment of sponsors supporting this edition of "Jueves Minero" precedes the start of presentations by Silvia Cuba and César Ramos, focusing on future directions for environmental management in Peru's mining sector.

Commitment to Modernization

Institutional Goals

• Emphasis on creating modern institutions that prioritize transparency through digital transformation while enhancing technical excellence within SENACE's operations is highlighted as crucial for effective governance.

Advancements Through Technology

Implementation Strategies

• SENACE is integrating AI tools into its processes aimed at improving predictability, legal security, and public trust regarding state decisions related to environmental certifications.

Functions of SENACE

Environmental Viability Assessment

• As a technical body under the Ministry of Environment, SENACE evaluates large investment projects across multiple sectors including mining, energy, agriculture among others.

Optimizing Environmental Certification Processes

Efficiency Improvements

• To address delays often associated with environmental evaluations, three main strategies have been implemented: strengthening certification processes, enhancing institutional capacity, and fostering technological innovation.

(t=821] Financial Impact Overview

Investment Figures

• Between 2024–2026, 493 projects received viability approval amounting to over $41 billion; specific figures show substantial investments particularly from the mining sector which constitutes 82% of evaluated projects.

Current Evaluation Status

Ongoing Evaluations

• Currently evaluating 115 studies worth over $20 billion; again highlighting that most submissions come from the mining sector indicating its economic significance.

Technical Assistance Initiatives

Support Mechanisms

• Over recent years , technical assistance meetings have been provided extensively , especially targeting miners who actively seek guidance throughout their project developments .

Citizen Participation Importance

Social Engagement Efforts

• Recognizing citizen participation as vital during certification processes , actions taken include outreach initiatives aimed at preventing conflicts through transparent communication channels .

Technological Innovations Presentation

New Applications Development

• Introduction of intelligent applications designed for stakeholders aiming towards optimizing transparency during certification processes ; these include chatbots similar to existing AI models but tailored specifically for regulatory inquiries .

Chatbot Functionality Explanation

Enhancing Information Access

• A chatbot named Bianca provides validated information based on regulations ensuring clarity while addressing queries effectively thus reducing information asymmetry between authorities & citizens .

Admissibility Review Automation

Streamlining Initial Assessments

• New AI tool allows rapid identification omissions during initial document reviews significantly cutting down processing times compared traditional methods thereby increasing efficiency overall .

Utilization of Environmental Impact Tools

Collaborative Development of Environmental Studies

• The integration of technological tools with environmental impact studies is emphasized, allowing for shared baseline data to enhance research efficiency.

• Over 700 files are available on the SENACE portal for public use, aiding in the preparation of new studies. This resource aims to streamline the information-gathering process.

Time Efficiency in Study Preparation

• Conducting an environmental study often requires primary data collection across different seasons; however, shared resources can significantly reduce the time needed for these studies.

• By utilizing existing data, it may be possible to eliminate one seasonal study period, thus expediting overall project timelines.

Advancements in Technological Applications

Development of New Applications

• SENACE is actively developing new applications that leverage technology to assist users during construction phases and improve project outcomes.

• A catalog detailing impacts and necessary measures has been created specifically for the mining sector, streamlining identification and response strategies for common project impacts.

Predictability and Clarity in Regulations

• Clear regulations are crucial during both study preparation and evaluation phases, ensuring no unexpected observations arise during assessments. This predictability enhances system functionality within evaluations.

Implementation of Artificial Intelligence

AI Integration into Processes

• Five applications utilizing artificial intelligence have been introduced by SENACE to reduce both preparation and evaluation times while also cutting costs associated with environmental studies.

• Early detection of critical actions through AI can lead to significant future savings by addressing issues proactively rather than reactively.

Commitment to Technical Rigor

• SENACE aims to ensure rigorous technical processes through technology while minimizing risks associated with environmental evaluations, positioning Peru as a leader in sustainable investment practices globally.

Strategic Vision Towards 2030

Goals for Environmental Evaluation Excellence

• The strategic vision includes achieving excellence in environmental evaluations through digital transformation and improved data traceability by 2030, fostering inter-institutional collaboration among stakeholders involved in certification processes.

National Recognition as Sustainable Investment Guardians

• There is a strong emphasis on making Peru attractive for investments—public or private—especially within the mining sector by enhancing regulatory frameworks and operational efficiencies related to environmental certifications.

Panel Discussion Insights

Industry Perspectives on AI Initiatives

• Magali Bardales highlights that initiatives like those from SENACE represent significant public policy decisions aimed at facilitating substantial investments in critical minerals essential for global energy transitions.

Challenges Faced During Environmental Studies

• Bardales identifies four key phases affecting timelines: pre-study support (often taking two years), admissibility checks (which could benefit from automation), observation periods influenced by evaluator changes, and participation from various authorities impacting overall evaluation processes.

Optimizing Evaluation Processes

Benefits of Automation

• Johana Yanes discusses how automatic verification will significantly reduce delays during evaluations while emphasizing the need for standardization across institutions involved in these processes.

• She notes that other Latin American countries have successfully reduced evaluation times through digital transformation efforts which could serve as models for Peru's approach moving forward.

Importance of Information Accessibility

• Yanes stresses that simplifying access to information will help mitigate social conflicts surrounding projects while improving community engagement throughout the evaluation process.

This structured summary captures key discussions from the transcript regarding advancements made by SENACE towards improving environmental impact assessments through technology integration while highlighting industry perspectives on these developments.

Implementing AI in Mining Permits Management

Benefits of AI in Operational Processes

• The implementation of AI is expected to enhance operational efficiency, particularly through the concept of a "sandbox" approach that allows for testing and modifications.

• Minor modifications can be easily evaluated with AI tools, optimizing the management of permits and reducing unnecessary delays.

Enhancing Competitiveness in the Mining Sector

• The mining sector is highly competitive both nationally and internationally; thus, creating predictable processes is essential to attract foreign investment.

• There is a strong emphasis on ensuring that permit management processes are agile and modern to build trust among investors.

Handling Sensitive Information

• Monitoring data is considered sensitive information, necessitating careful handling regarding access, manipulation, analysis, and interpretation.

• Compatibility with corporate policies on AI usage must be ensured when managing sensitive information related to environmental monitoring.

Streamlining Permit Management

• Discussion on how SENACE's tools could benefit mining companies by improving their permit management processes.

• Effective planning and clear timelines are crucial for successful permit sales; without them, compliance becomes challenging.

Predictability in Environmental Permits

• Environmental permits serve as the foundation for further operational permissions; understanding average processing times helps streamline future applications.

• Historical data shows significant delays in permit approvals; current efforts aim to reduce these times significantly.

Importance of Collaboration and Feedback

• Active participation from stakeholders is vital for effective planning and management of permits. Continuous feedback loops are encouraged.

Final Reflections from Panelists

Addressing Discretionary Practices

• Emphasis on moving from discretionary practices towards predictability within SENACE’s operations was highlighted during final reflections.

Training and Capacity Building

• A focus on training specialists according to their functional units ensures better evaluation processes for mining projects.

Challenges with Technical Opinions

• Delays caused by technical opinions remain outside direct control but efforts are being made to optimize these timelines through inter-institutional collaboration.

Legal Framework Adaptations

• Standardization with technical reviewers is necessary as new technologies like AI are implemented into environmental certification processes.

Future Directions

• Ongoing discussions about updating regulations reflect the need for modernization within the mining sector's operational framework.

Impact of New Legislation on Mining Concessions

Reducing Timeframes for Concessions

• Questions raised about how reduced concession periods (from 30 years to 15 years), will affect project development timelines amidst ongoing improvements in permitting efficiency.

Long-Term Project Development Insights

• The lengthy exploration phase (10–15 years), coupled with low conversion rates from prospects to operations, indicates that even shorter concession periods may not align with industry realities.

Encouraging Investment Through Efficiency

• Improved digital tools foster competitiveness by enhancing investor confidence which ultimately leads to greater project development opportunities within Peru's mining sector.

Conclusion: Strengthening State Capabilities for Predictable Permitting

Tools Supporting Predictability

• Digital tools such as technical criteria portals enhance predictability in permitting decisions while emphasizing stakeholder involvement during study preparation stages.

Commitment Towards Transparency

• Ensuring transparency through established criteria aims at reducing discretionality issues previously faced by stakeholders interacting with SENACE.