The Australian company Ausenco bets on Peru as it strengthens its long-term commitment to expanding its presence and operations in the country. Operating in the Peruvian market for over 17 years, Ausenco aims to position itself as a regional reference for mining engineering and consulting services in South America. This statement was made by Leonardo Peña, Vice President of Minerals and Metals for the Peru office, as the company announces its plans for growth over the next two to three years. With a clear focus on sustainable mining, digital transformation, and innovative engineering solutions, Ausenco Peru has set an ambitious goal of achieving 30% growth by the end of 2025, responding to the increasing demand from the industry.
Ausenco’s Global Background and Presence in Peru
Ausenco is a Brisbane-based company that offers comprehensive consulting and engineering services to the mining, metals, and related industries. In Peru, the company’s portfolio includes services related to studies, project execution, asset management, and maintenance, covering the entire mining value chain.
“Our work has always been aligned with the market and national development. In nearly two decades, we have participated in significant mining projects such as San Gabriel, Zafranal, Marmato, and Warintza, among others. These projects have strengthened our team and consolidated our reputation for delivering projects characterized by technical excellence and environmental commitment,” said Peña.
Peru as a Strategic Hub for Regional Expansion
Currently, Australian company Ausenco bets on Peru not only as a platform for growth in South America but also as a strategic node in its network of engineering and consulting operations worldwide. As one of the top copper producers globally and with an increasing portfolio of projects in critical minerals, Peru offers an attractive base for the company’s regional expansion plans.
Ausenco’s activities in the country, coordinated from its Lima office, are also part of a regional engineering hub that supports projects in Ecuador, Colombia, and Guatemala, among others, while maintaining close relationships with other offices in the Americas, Australia, and other countries.
Growth Performance and Market Demand
Leonardo Peña, vice president of minerals and metals of Ausenco Peru, detailed that the company has recorded sales growth throughout the first half of 2025. This performance, he said, is both a reflection of an increase in market demand for sustainable engineering solutions and Ausenco’s ability to capture that demand through its proactive approach to anticipate the needs of the sector.
“We have taken advantage of this window of opportunity thanks to our multidisciplinary integration capacity, from the very beginning of the development of a mining project. This allows us to optimize project timelines, reduce risks and ensure alignment with the sustainability objectives of our clients,” he said.
Strong Project Backlog and Long-Term Growth Outlook
The executive highlighted that Ausenco’s growth in Peru is supported by a solid project backlog. This backlog consists of committed contracts with enough work to guarantee billing for several months, in addition to strategic partnerships in copper and critical mineral projects. The company, he said, expects to reach a 30% increase in business volume, year-on-year, by the end of this year and to continue at that growth rate over the next two to three years.
All of these projections, the executive added, are in line with global megatrends towards responsible mining and the decarbonization of industrial processes.
Peru’s Role in Ausenco’s Latin American Portfolio
In regional terms, Peru already represents about 40% of Ausenco’s total portfolio of projects in Latin America. Although Chile remains the region’s leading market in terms of total mining volume, thanks to its long-established copper production, Peña said that Peru has shown a dynamism in recent years that has allowed it to position itself as one of the main poles of sustainable mining in the region.
“We have reached similar operating volumes to those of our Chile office, demonstrating the capacity and commitment of our local team and the growing relevance of Peru as a destination for mining,” he explained.
Building a Regional Hub for Sustainable Engineering
All these aspects, he added, outline how Australian company Ausenco bets on Peru as one of the central pillars of its strategy for its entire Latin American network of operations. The company, he said, has a clear long-term vision of transforming its Lima office into a regional hub that, in addition to serving clients in South America, will position the country as an exporter of engineering excellence to other emerging mining markets worldwide.
Comprehensive Services Across the Mining Value Chain
The opportunities, he added, are extensive and involve all segments of the mining value chain. Ausenco’s service portfolio in Peru includes all the phases of a project—from conceptual and feasibility studies to engineering design, project management, construction, and long-term optimization of assets and facilities.
In this context, the company has been playing a very active role in providing consulting services related to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, helping its mining clients align with international sustainability standards and improve operational efficiency.
Engineering Innovation and ESG Commitment
In this regard, Peña mentioned the design of concentrator plants and the development of mineral transport infrastructure, such as mineral pipelines, as key segments. The implementation of innovative logistics and maintenance solutions to improve the productivity and sustainability of mining operations in Peru would also be an area of growth in the coming years.
Challenges Facing the Peruvian Mining Sector
However, the executive acknowledged that Peru’s mining potential is not without challenges. He noted that the country still faces a need for a more stable and predictable regulatory framework, especially regarding permits for exploration and development of new mining projects. Lengthy approval processes and changing requirements increase uncertainty and costs for investors.
Additionally, the geographical location of many projects in hard-to-reach areas, as well as the increasing demand for mining operations to generate tangible and sustainable benefits for local communities, remain significant challenges for companies like Ausenco.
A Holistic and Stakeholder-Focused Approach
Australian company Ausenco bets on Peru through an integrated and holistic approach that involves not only technical innovation but also active engagement with all stakeholders.
“We apply comprehensive risk analysis from the very first stages of the design of a project, maintain continuous dialogue with the different communities and authorities involved in the project, and design solutions that are tailored to the specific environmental and geographic conditions of each project,” explained Peña.
This approach, he added, not only makes projects more viable and less susceptible to delays and cost overruns but also strengthens the company’s reputation as a trusted and responsible partner in the Peruvian mining industry.
Investment Priorities: Talent, Technology, and Sustainability
As part of its commitment to long-term growth, Ausenco plans to increase investment in Peru over the next few years, focusing on three fundamental areas: talent, technology, and sustainability.
Peña announced that the company is betting on the implementation of AI-based systems to optimize project design and execution, improve predictive maintenance, and enhance decision-making. “These investments, while capital intensive, are critical for us to maintain our competitive edge in an industry that is rapidly changing and transforming worldwide,” he added.
Driving the Energy Transition Through Innovation
“We will also be making investments in the development of innovative engineering solutions that will allow us to promote the energy transition. Finally, we will continue to make investments in the continuous training of our local human talent,” said the executive.
The company plans to position Peru as a regional hub for sustainable engineering and a center of innovation where technology and environmental responsibility go hand in hand.
Peru as a Source of Innovation and Human Capital
This commitment also translates into how Australian company Ausenco bets on Peru not only as a market but as a source of innovation and talent that can drive the transformation of mining worldwide.
Among other actions, the company has acquired cutting-edge tools that allow more precise, efficient, and less polluting engineering processes. This includes dynamic simulation, which allows engineers to anticipate potential operational bottlenecks and optimize designs before the construction phase, reducing costs, risks, and environmental impact.
Advanced Engineering Tools and Digital Transformation
Ausenco has also incorporated next-generation platforms such as SmartPlant 3D, which allows detailed three-dimensional modeling of complex facilities, and EcoSys, an integrated project management system that improves control over capital expenditure (capex) and financial forecasting.
The company has also invested in proprietary solutions such as OutGrind, specialized software that integrates the company’s engineering knowledge for sizing critical equipment in concentrator plants.
Commitment to Sustainability and Community Development
The company’s vision of long-term sustainability for Peru is based on environmental stewardship, community engagement, and shared economic growth. By training Peruvian professionals in the latest digital and green technologies, Australian company Ausenco bets on Peru with the aim of strengthening local human capital and contributing to equitable development.
Its sustainability strategy includes efforts to reduce water consumption and energy use, promote circular-economy practices, and design energy-efficient facilities that support clients’ net-zero goals.
Collaboration with Academia and Human Capital Development
Ausenco is also engaged in collaborative initiatives with local universities and technical institutes to develop a new generation of engineers and technicians with the skills needed for the future of mining. These alliances contribute to strengthening the company’s talent pipeline and Peru’s broader human capital base.
Conclusion: A Long-Term Vision for Sustainable Growth
In sum, Australian company Ausenco bets on Peru as a market of opportunities and a laboratory for sustainable mining. The company’s longstanding presence, technical expertise, and commitment to environmental and social responsibility have positioned it as a key player in the country’s mining future.