Underground Works Experts
Renzo Toledo, Business Development Manager at SKAVA Consulting, an engineering company specializing in underground works and tunnels, highlights the relevance of technological innovation and sustainability as key value propositions for ongoing projects and operations.
1. What is the current relevance of underground works in Peru?
Underground works have gained significant ground as an alternative for the development of infrastructure and mining projects. Compared to surface works, they offer both technical and sustainability advantages.
On the technical side, underground construction mitigates the impact on the daily operations of cities or infrastructure, minimizing the space required for development and reducing stoppages or disruptions. From a sustainability perspective, it helps control the impact on natural areas as well as archaeological sites.
2. What innovation initiatives are currently being explored?
Research and application of technologies such as Tunnel Boring Machines (TBM) are ongoing. While TBMs have traditionally been used in road or mass transit projects (such as subways), they are now being considered for underground mining through pilot tests—an area where SKAVA Consulting has recent experience.
3. What types of projects is SKAVA developing in Peru and the region?
SKAVA Consulting is currently designing a conveyor belt tunnel for the mining sector, part of one of the most important projects in the country. This involves both the engineering of the underground structure and integration with electromechanical equipment. SKAVA Consulting is also responsible for designing the ventilation and dewatering systems needed for future operations.
Additionally, the company has carried out consultancies on operational aspects of underground mining, focusing on geotechnics and geomechanics. This includes developing a mitigation proposal for rock bursts, which involved conducting site visits, performing diagnostics, and proposing measures to reduce the impact of such events.
In the region, SKAVA Consulting continues to serve major mining companies, providing services for both engineering phases and ongoing operations. The company maintains a presence in the transportation sector and plays an important role in Chile’s desalination projects, particularly in the design of pipeline tunnels.
4. What are SKAVA’s expectations for the coming months?
SKAVA Consulting remains committed to supporting projects and operations in Peru that require expertise in underground works, as well as services in geology, geotechnics, hydrogeology, and field inspections. The company is consolidating its position as an expert in mining sector projects and is also becoming increasingly involved in transportation, hydroelectric generation, irrigation, and desalination initiatives. These efforts are being carried out through direct agreements with project owners, contractors, lead consultants, and also via G2G, PMO, and Works for Taxes mechanisms.