Enaex is advancing in San Juan with a strong strategy of digital transformation applied to mining, incorporating automation and remote monitoring systems into loading and blasting processes. The company aims to improve safety and optimize operational efficiency at mining sites.
Among the most notable innovations are the Milodón truck and electronic initiation systems with drones, tools that enable greater precision and real-time control. The company, present in the province since 2007, seeks to consolidate its position ahead of the growth of future copper projects.
By Panorama Minero
The mining industry is undergoing an unprecedented modernization process driven by the need to improve safety and efficiency at mining operations. In this context, Mining Engineer María Luz Ibazeta, who serves as Key Account Manager for Enaex in Argentina, presented the advances the company is implementing in San Juan. With a consolidated track record, the company is leading the transition toward a more technological and automated mining industry, focusing on blasting services and the management of explosive and non-explosive products.
One of the central pillars of this strategy is the automation of loading and blasting processes. According to the concepts presented by the specialist, technological innovation constitutes a growth engine for the organization. The company currently operates systems that allow the monitoring and operation of equipment in a connected, real-time environment. This connectivity enables maneuvers to be carried out remotely from offices located in the city of San Juan or from strategic points within the mine itself. This remote operating model is essential in adverse weather conditions or geographic situations that could compromise the physical safety of operators, allowing production continuity without unnecessary risks.
The importance of this automation lies in the pursuit of operational excellence. The implementation of mechanized and remotely controlled processes aims primarily to optimize cycle times and improve field safety. By reducing task duration and minimizing human exposure in critical areas, technology not only increases project productivity but also redefines labor protection standards.
Among the most notable tools within this technological deployment is the Milodón truck. This equipment stands out for its versatility, as it has a 23-ton capacity and can be configured to operate as a blending, bulk unloading, or pumping truck. This flexibility allows it to adapt to the specific needs of different types of clients and project scales, ensuring efficient mechanized loading in open-pit blasting operations.
At the same time, technical evolution also extends to electronic initiation systems. The company offers various initiation lines that include both wired and wireless methods. A major advancement in this area is the incorporation of drones for detonator monitoring and programming, facilitating constant information updates and greater precision in task execution. However, the sector still faces cultural resistance regarding the adoption of these new processes, making the current challenge one of demonstrating the tangible benefits automation provides compared to traditional operational approaches.
Enaex’s presence in San Juan is not recent, as the company has operated in the province since 2007. With an emulsions plant and a distribution center located in Las Flores, in the Iglesia department, the company has achieved deep integration into the local mining value chain. In this way, it has become a generator of local employment and a positive contributor to the economy of Iglesia. Looking ahead, the goal is to consolidate this infrastructure and be prepared for the new era of mining, responding with agility to the demand generated by the large-scale metalliferous projects—particularly copper projects—emerging on the regional horizon.
Engineer Ibazeta’s vision reflects a commitment to technical development and to leveraging the opportunities offered by the sector. A graduate of the National University of San Juan (UNSJ), her career symbolizes the importance of professional training in leading the transition toward a more efficient industry. The combination of technical expertise and a strong commercial strategy is presented as the key to addressing the challenges of a mining industry in which agility, safety, and technological innovation will be the determining factors for success.
