With Mining 4.0, the company is accelerating its expansion and plans to double its share of exploration projects to 30%.
Peruvian mining is going through a period of transformation, driven by historically high prices for gold, silver, and copper. This scenario has opened new opportunities for exploration, exploitation, and tailings recovery, and Boart Longyear is positioning itself to lead this stage, investing in technological innovation, expanding its portfolio, and committing to sustainability and safety.
Santiago Valdez, country manager for Boart Longyear in Peru, points out that demand for metals has not only reactivated greenfield and brownfield projects and opened new mining operations, but has also brought tailings deposits, which have very high silver and gold content, back into the spotlight. “With these prices, sonic meter explorations are being carried out to determine whether these minerals can be recycled and recovered,” he said.
The company, with a global presence of 135 years and 35 years in the Peruvian market, is moving forward with the development of new product lines. This year, Boart Longyear will launch the LF300 drilling rig, capable of reaching depths of 3,500 meters, and will strengthen the DTH and TriVanceTM lines. “The international opportunities in Peru are very interesting. We have been entrusted with the responsibility of developing these lines and replicating them worldwide,” explained Santiago Valdez.
Technology is another pillar of the strategy. The company promotes mining 4.0 through autonomous and safe equipment, with the aim of eliminating accidents and protecting personnel. “We are focused on making equipment completely hands-free. With these innovations, we are aiming for zero accidents an equipment that operates autonomously, both inside the mine and on the surface,” said the Boart Longyear executive.
Talent specialization is one of the company’s strengths. Approximately 70% of its field employees are mining engineering professionals, enabling rapid adaptation to new technologies and ensuring differentiated service. “The specialization of our field team has allowed us to achieve high market share. They are skilled individuals eager to learn, whom we deploy in operations,” Valdez noted.
Sustainability and social responsibility are also central to the company’s vision. Boart Longyear promotes workplace inclusion, hires local staff to contribute to community development, and encourages female participation in mining operations. In addition, the company has implemented recycling programs, recovering steel from drilling operations and ensuring its proper treatment in Lima.
Key figures
Automation is making progress in the sector, although it still faces challenges. According to Santiago Valdez, 60% to 70% of operations in Peru have adopted intelligent technologies. However, the learning curve and the need for training mean that the process is gradual.
In terms of its objectives, Boart Longyear seeks to increase its market share, exceeding the current 45% in rock drilling and reaching up to 60% with the new lines being developed for surface mining. In the exploration segment, where competition is fiercer, the goal is to grow from 15% to 25%. Last year, the company achieved double-digit growth and expects this trend to continue in the coming years.
The key to this position, Valdez maintains, is the combination of technical expertise, innovation, and customer proximity. The company tests its products with its own service division before launching them on the market, enabling it to offer reliable, safe equipment tailored to the real needs of operators.
“Safety is non-negotiable; it is our primary value. After that, we seek to offer our customers the best products, with good benefits and competitive unit drilling costs,” emphasized Santiago Valdez.
In an increasingly demanding mining environment, Boart Longyear seeks to capitalize on the cycle of high prices in the Peruvian market in 2026 and consolidate its leadership by combining cutting-edge technology, social commitment, and a vision of sustained growth. The company is convinced that mining in Peru has the potential to remain at the forefront globally.
Valdez also indicated that sustainability is a key component of Boart Longyear’s strategy and forms part of its long-term growth model. The company has developed a strategy aligned with international standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), the SASB Index, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on five key principles: environmental stewardship and climate action, health and safety, business integrity, people development, and collaboration with customers, suppliers, and communities.
Through innovation in drilling technologies that reduce environmental impact, the promotion of inclusive and safe work environments, and the strengthening of governance and ethical compliance processes, Boart Longyear seeks to generate shared value and contribute to the development of more responsible, efficient, and sustainable mining in Peru.
