Founded in the late-1990s as a spin-out of senior mine-planning geologists, DERK has grown from a boutique consultancy into a 200-plus-person firm with offices in Santiago (HQ) and Calama, the heart of Chile’s copper belt. The company’s own history page dates its launch to 1999, while LinkedIn lists 1997; both agree on the same founding team and mining focus


Services 

Derk Ingeniería y Geología Ltda. provides a wide range of specialized services primarily for the mining and metals sector in Chile. Their main service areas include:

• Prospecting, Exploration, and Extraction of Mineral Resources
  The company supports the entire lifecycle of mining projects, from the initial prospecting and exploration phases to the extraction of minerals

• Geotechnical, Geological, and Rock Engineering Services
  Derk offers comprehensive solutions in geology, geotechnics, and rock mechanics, addressing both constructive and functional needs in mining and civil engineering projects34.

• Industrial Services and Engineering Contracting
  They act as an engineering contractor, providing industrial services and managing complex mining and industrial projects12.

• Field Services
  The company deploys highly qualified professionals for on-site work in geology, geotechnics, geomechanics, surveying (geomensura), and hydrogeology

• Consulting, Studies, and Technical Advisory
  Derk conducts specialized studies and provides technical consulting in geotechnics and mining engineering, supporting decision-making and project development

• Professional Training and Capacity Building
  They offer targeted training and professional development programs for clients and industry professionals, adapting quickly to changing market needs

• Mining and Metallurgical Project Support
  Derk supports mining projects at various stages, providing geotechnical backing for engineering development and project execution

• Rock Mechanics Laboratory
  The company operates a laboratory dedicated to geomechanical testing, serving the demand for rock mechanics analysis in Chile and South America

• Surveying (Geomensura)
  They provide surveying services essential for accurate project planning and execution in mining and civil works4.

These services are delivered through a combination of in-house expertise, partnerships with other companies and institutions, and a commitment to technological innovation and client satisfaction

 

Client Base and Projects

National and International Clients: Derk serves both Chilean and international mining companies, including major industry players such as Codelco and BHP Billiton

Notable Projects: The company has contributed to significant mining projects, providing geotechnical and geomechanical advisory services for Codelco’s El Teniente and Salvador divisions, as well as for Minera Escondida (BHP Billiton) and Minera Meridian

Project Types: Services range from feasibility studies and design methodology to operational support and closure planning for mining operations

DERK Ingeniería y Geología exemplifies Chile’s mid-tier mining services ecosystem: deeply specialised, technically rigorous, and increasingly sustainability-minded. The firm has graduated from being a “hired pair of hands” to a strategic partner that marries field boots with numerical brains. To keep its growth curve, DERK must broaden its commodity and geographic exposure while monetising its intellectual property—particularly in rock-lab data and remote sensing—before global consultancies and OEMs encroach further on the Andean market.



Contact and Online Presence

• Website: www.derk.cl

• Key Locations: Santiago (HQ) and Calama (Northern Chile mining cluster)

• Contact: +562 2236 2850 (Santiago office)

Empowering Safety at Scale - How HSEC Training & Services Is Setting New Standards for the Simandou Project

In large-scale industrial ventures, success hinges not only on engineering excellence and operational scale—but on the people who make it happen safely. Nowhere is this more evident than at the Simandou Iron Ore Project in Guinea, where HSEC Training & Services is playing a vital role in shaping a culture of safety, sustainability, and human development.

At the heart of HSEC’s mission lies a commitment to Health, Safety, Environment, and Community (HSEC) performance. With a specialization in high-risk sectors like mining and infrastructure, the organization provides comprehensive training programs and risk mitigation strategies designed to protect workers, surrounding communities, and the environment. For a project the size and complexity of Simandou—spanning over 600 km of railway, a deep-water port, and one of the world’s richest untapped iron ore deposits—this work is not ancillary; it’s foundational.

 

Building a Safer Future, One Worker at a Time

HSEC’s involvement in Simandou includes policy development, compliance audits, emergency response planning, and in-depth, multilingual training for thousands of workers across the project lifecycle. From hazard identification to waste management and PPE usage, local teams are equipped with the knowledge and tools to prevent incidents and foster a culture of accountability.
 

With over 60,000 jobs anticipated at the peak of construction, ensuring that every team member—regardless of literacy level or language—is trained in safety protocols is a monumental challenge. HSEC meets this with tailored programs, including infection prevention and control (IPC) modules, Training-of-Trainers (ToT) systems, and specialized occupational health courses that reflect local realities.
 

Whether it’s a cleaning technician from Faranah or a heavy machinery operator in Beyla, HSEC’s approach ensures inclusive, scalable, and practical education that’s directly applicable to the jobsite.
 

Strategic Integration with National Capacity Building

HSEC’s impact extends beyond compliance. Its close collaboration with the Railway Institute—a joint initiative between the Winning Consortium Simandou, the University of Conakry, and Hunan Technical College—has created a unique talent pipeline for Guinea. A $7 million investment in training facilities now supports both technical and HSEC-specific education, fostering a new generation of safety-conscious professionals across mining, logistics, and infrastructure.
 

This integration of education, safety, and economic opportunity supports Guinea’s broader development agenda while ensuring Simandou’s operational longevity.
 

Sustainability and Social License

The Simandou Project operates under strict national and international HSEC frameworks—many of which require proactive community engagement, rigorous reporting, and transparency. HSEC Training & Services plays a crucial intermediary role between project operators and surrounding communities, ensuring that environmental safeguards are communicated, understood, and respected.

Their training doesn’t end at the project gates. Programs also include community sensitization, empowering residents with knowledge of emergency protocols and environmental protection practices, ensuring that development proceeds hand-in-hand with safety and trust.

 

A Partner in Progress

As Guinea stands on the threshold of becoming a global iron ore powerhouse, HSEC Training & Services ensures that growth is not achieved at the expense of safety or sustainability. Their role at Simandou is not just about ticking boxes; it’s about embedding world-class standards into the fabric of Guinean industry.

In a country poised for industrial transformation, HSEC Training & Services is proving that people-first operations—built on knowledge, trust, and preparedness—aren’t just best practice; they’re the only path forward.


 

HSEC Training & Services 
Guinée Conakry, Conakry, Guinea

+224 622 54 24 74

info@hsectraining.com

hsectraining.com

🚛 Africa Transport: Powering Logistics for Guinea’s Largest Industrial Vision

In a country undergoing an industrial transformation, Africa Transport has emerged as a logistics force—purpose-built to serve Guinea’s most ambitious projects. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Conakry, Africa Transport is a certified, safety-first logistics company specializing in the transportation of hazardous materials, industrial cargo, and complex goods across Guinea and West Africa.

But it’s not just trucks on the road—it’s a productized logistics solution tailored to the needs of high-stakes industries like mining, energy, and infrastructure.

🔒 Certified to Move What Others Can’t

Africa Transport operates with one clear principle: nothing moves unless it’s safe to move. The company is ISO 14001:2018 certified and a compliant transporter under the International Cyanide Management Code, making it one of the few Guinean firms trusted to handle and convoy dangerous materials like sodium cyanide—a critical chemical for gold extraction.

Each delivery is backed by a rigorous logistics protocol:

• Convoy-based hazardous goods transport

• Police and internal safety escorts

• Route risk assessments and real-time monitoring

• Community consultation and stakeholder coordination

Whether it’s a remote mine site in Mandiana—775 km from Conakry—or a construction site along the new Simandou rail corridor, Africa Transport ensures every kilometer is covered with planning, precision, and protection.

🛠 Logistics Designed for Heavy Industry

Africa Transport’s suite of offerings is more than trucking—it’s a complete logistics and warehousing ecosystem. This includes:

• General cargo and machinery transport

• Oversized and sensitive load handling

• Warehousing and temporary storage

• Last-mile delivery staging and route synchronization

This end-to-end capability is why mining giants like Rio Tinto, Bolloré Guinea, and SMG trust Africa Transport to deliver high-value equipment and materials on tight timelines and unforgiving terrains.

🚆 Integrated into the Simandou Supply Chain

Africa Transport’s credentials were further solidified in October 2023, when it was awarded a significant share of the $120 million logistics contracts by Rio Tinto Simfer, developers of the Simandou Iron Ore Project. These contracts are pivotal to building and supplying:

• Four iron ore mining blocks

• 600+ km of new railway infrastructure

• A deep-water mineral export port

Africa Transport is embedded in the core supply chain—delivering materials from port to project sites, bridging rugged terrain with technical and regulatory mastery. With real-time risk management and a boots-on-the-ground logistics model, it ensures Simandou’s complex supply movements stay on schedule and in compliance.

🔧 Productized for Performance

Africa Transport isn’t just a vendor—it’s a logistics product platform. Every contract is supported by:

• Custom route engineering

• Hazmat compliance systems

• Cargo tracking and documentation

• Regulatory liaison with transport authorities

It’s a model designed to scale with client complexity, offering reliability, compliance, and speed at every leg of the journey.

As Guinea continues to rise on the global mining and infrastructure stage, Africa Transport stands as the logistics partner of record—built for complexity, trusted for safety, and engineered for scale.



 

Tél:

+224 621 34 34 34

+224 666 34 34 34

Adresse:

Matam Rue MA.751

Carrefour Constantin

Commune de Matam

BP 356 Conakry | Rép. de Guinée