Paola Toledo Moreira, Administrative Manager, Tenro

Moving from artisanal craftsmanship and illegal mining practices to standardized methods cannot be achieved without first-rate training courses.

• Interview

What need for specialized mining-related training courses has Tenro identified?

Tenro started in 2015 when it became obvious to us that mining had the greatest economic potential for Ecuador’s future. There were talks of the government opening up the industry to foreign investors, and large agreements were being signed to start large-scale mining projects in the country. At that moment, we identified an opportunity to develop training programs for people in the industry. Currently, we have important underground and open-pit mining trainings and workshops with an important focus on social and environmental sustainability. Ecuador’s mining is just starting, and it needs to be done with the highest standards at an international level. Tenro offers courses to contribute to a more professional sector and the consolidation of responsible mining. For example, recent and upcoming projects demand workforce training on occupational health and safety, geotechnical knowledge and skills, and other areas related to the daily operations and activities that workers do on any given day.

How can you leverage your existing expertise in the oil and gas industry from your sister institution, the Technical Institute of Petroleum (ITP), to advance mining projects in different phases?

We have built off our previous experience by using our network and educational platform for the development of our mining programs. ITP has developed best practices and learnt lessons over the years that gave us a head start in our strategic commercial plan and the key elements we had to consider, such as including both local and foreign instructors for our workshops. For companies at the exploration stage, we support them in preparing their workforce to obtain key certifications required to operate, such as the operational risk prevention program, and we instruct them on international safety standards for their workforce. When companies are already studying the sites, we provide basic mining training for administrative personnel and unexperienced workers being hired into the industry. Taking into account that Ecuador’s experience with mining was, until recently, that of artisanal craftsmanship activities and some illegal exploitation, all the local hires have little to no knowledge of mining-specific practices and knowledge. As such, the idea is to help companies introduce concepts around mining operations and the mining commercial supply chain. Finally, we help companies achieve legally required environmental standards. Tenro also offers courses on geotechnical underground mining and mining excavation procedures to teach workers how to better utilize the tools and instruments involved in their daily work and learn efficient processes to increase their productivity.

Specialized courses on complex mining-related operations

How can Tenro support foreign companies considering whether to invest in the country’s mining sector?

Tenro complements its educational platform with a consultancy office that is constantly reaching out to interested groups to offer advisory services during their market prospection. We currently support some interested companies in their navigation of the investment landscape and the legal framework by painting a legal and economic picture of operations, partners, standards, and certifications, in addition to serving as the knowledge partner of many of these international firms. ✖

Paola Toledo Moreira ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGER, TENRO