Dr Herman Aguirre-Jofre

PhD in Minerals and Mining

Mining Engineer

Herman Aguirre-Jofre Doctor en Mineria

I hold a Ph.D. in Mining and Minerals from the Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter, and a degree in Mining Engineering from the University of Santiago de Chile. Currently, I am the Manager of Productivity at Finning, a Mining Lecturer at the Universidad del Desarrollo, and an Honorary Lecturer at the Camborne School of Mines.

With 12 years of experience, I have previously held leadership roles as CEO of KMO Fleet UK, Director of MiningiDEAS in Spain, and Director of APRON in Chile. My career has focused on capital raising, business model development, and company establishment across Europe and South America. Additionally, my engineering background includes extensive experience in operational management, cost control, and due diligence analysis within the mining industry.

Manager of Productivity

Finning

May 2024 - Present

In charge of productivity analysis for Finning clients, with the aim of supporting them in achieving full capacity utilization of the CAT fleet.

My department is divided into three areas:

  1. Fleet Management Systems Analysis: Utilizing data analytics to improve effective time and productivity in the CAT fleet, and defining benchmarking standards.
  2. Cost and Mine Planning: Developing NPV models for assessing competitiveness, conducting simulations, and optimizing fleet sizing.
  3. Maintenance Data Analysis: Applying data analytics to improve fleet availability.

Manager Ultra-class Trucks

January 2024 - May 2024

Monitoring and analysing the performance of Caterpillar's Ultra-Class Trucks with the aim of improving variables such as availability and operational time, thereby increasing the benefits realised by our clients.

Some responsibilities include:

  • Conducting Operational Reviews to assess CAT truck operational practices.
  • Performing Maintenance Reviews to evaluate strategies and processes, extending fleet lifespan.
  • Implementing OEE (Overall Equipment Effectiveness) to enable Finning CAT clients to achieve the greatest benefits from the machinery.
  • Data analysis from all CAT machines for operational analysis and detection of opportunities for productivity improvement.
  • Technical Manager

    MiningiDEAS

    Sep 2023 - December 2023

    Management and execution of contracts with large-scale mining companies in different countries in LATAM and Europe. Some of the activities have included: conducting engineering studies for underground mines, developing monitoring platforms for government entities, conducting geological potential studies for exploration companies, and market analysis for private enterprises.


    Director

    MiningiDEAS

    May 2021 - December 2023

    I possess comprehensive knowledge in operational management, enabling me to develop precise data analysis skills for effective decision-making processes. Throughout my experience, I have been actively involved in large-scale projects focused on KPI digitalization for both companies and public institutions. Additionally, I have played a significant role in conducting essential due diligence analyses for mine acquisitions.

    I have gained extensive experience working with various mining methods, including block caving, sublevel stoping, open-pits, and quarries, both in Europe and South America.

    CEO

    Kernow Mining Optimisation - Fleet

    May 2022 - October 2023

    KMO-Fleet is an innovative mining technology company specialising in the optimisation of mobile mining fleets. The system has been developed to work independently of extensive WiFi networks and complicated communication infrastructure.

    Postgraduate Teaching Assistant

    University of Exeter, Camborne School of Mines

    Janaury 21 - December 21, United Kingdom.

    The course called Group Design Project aims to help students put into practice all the knowledge gained during their time at the university, combining technical and economical skills. Surface and underground mining projects are explained in depth.

    PhD Researcher - Mining and Mineral Engineering

    University of Exeter, Camborne School of Mines

    October 2018 - Present, United Kingdom.

    I was a member of the Camborne School of Mines Research Group, a dedicated team focused on developing innovative technology trends for the mining industry. Specifically, my work revolved around exploring underlying technologies such as IoT and sensors to monitor and optimise mining fleets. My research primarily focuses on utilising advanced data analytics tools to enhance productivity in mining operations.

  • Fleet Management Optimisation
  • Internet of Things (IoT) for monitoring mining production
  • Advanced data analysis for Mining Industry
  • Intelligent data sensing and programming
  • Data Analytics and Data Visualisation
  • Integrated Remote Operations Centres (iROCs)

  • Publications

    Science Direct: Low-cost internet of things (IoT) for monitoring and optimising mining small-scale trucks and surface mining shovels.


    Awards

  • ICURe funding, Innovate UK. The funding secured is for KMO-Fleet (my PhD Research), a spin out company of Camborne School of Mines, University of Exeter.
  • Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research (ICURe). Midlands programme. Second part. November 2021.
  • Innovation to Commercialisation of University Research (ICURe). Midlands programme. July 2021.

  • Programmes completed

    Entrepreneurial Researcher Leadership, 2021.

    Co-Founder

    Mining Link

    January 2018 - September 2018, Chile.

    During my tenure at this company, I acquired valuable experience in operational management and data analysis, with a strong focus on providing decision-making support. Furthermore, I expanded my expertise in digitalizing operational processes and gained significant knowledge through my involvement in the due diligence analysis for the acquisition of Punitaqui Mine from Glencore plc to Xiana Mining.

    Operation Superintendent

    Minera Altos de Punitaqui

    June 2018 - September 2018, Chile.

    The responsibilities of the position involved overseeing operations at two underground mines, an open pit mine, the mineral processing plant, tailing dumps, and the company's laboratory.

    Guest Lecturer

    University of Exeter, Camborne School of Mines

    February 2018, United Kingdom.

    The Camborne School of Mines extended an invitation to present a class on the key aspects of the Chilean mining industry. During my week-long visit, I had the opportunity to learn about the ongoing research conducted by several lecturers aimed at enhancing mining efficiency.

    Lecturer

    Universidad del Desarrollo

    June 2016 - December 2017, Chile

    When I received the invitation to serve as a lecturer at Universidad del Desarrollo, I assumed responsibility for teaching the following courses: Material Handling, Project Design (Open Pit), Project Design (Block Caving), and Technology for Managing Mining Companies. Notably, Universidad del Desarrollo had a crucial partnership with Queen's University of Canada, fostering collaborative research initiatives.

    Arduino's tutorial developer while working as lecturer

    Director of Operations Integrated Management

    CODELCO

    April 2015 - September 2016, Chile.

    Responsible for:

    Integrated Remote Operation Centre (iROC): Its objective is to control the company's budget and monitor mine production. The centre identifies deviations, estimates results, and provides the best operational recommendations. Its main activity is collecting data to inform achievements to all executives and workers within the organization.

    Operational Excellence: Utilizing the Lean Manufacturing methodology, its objective is to define economic value in the company, eliminate waste, and improve company revenue.

    Main achievements:

  • Implementation of Lean Manufacturing Methodology: Open Pit Mine, Underground Mine, and Mineral Processing Plant.
  • Automation of Data Generation.
  • Andina Data Mart: Development of online monitoring tools.
  • Execution of a Business Intelligence platform.
  • Management Training

    International Program at University Adolfo Ibañez

    October 2015, Chile.

    Chief of Remote Operation Centre

    Andina Underground Mine - CODELCO

    November 2014 - Abril 2015, Chile.

    Diploma: History of Present Time

    University of Santiago de Chile

    2014, Chile.

    Process Management Engineer

    CODELCO

    October 2013 – November 2014, Chile.

    Diploma: World Politics

    University of Santiago de Chile

    2013, Chile.

    Engineer in Training

    Andina Underground Mine - CODELCO

    May 2012 – October 2013, Chile.

    Mining Engineer

    University of Santiago de Chile

    2012, Chile.

    herman.aguirrej@gmail.com

    +56 944 36 3800

    Santiago, Chile