At Antara, we firmly believe that excellence is not built from a distance. To create technological solutions that truly transform mining management, it is essential to live and breathe the day-to-day lives of those who use them. It is not just a philosophy; it is a practice that defines the way we work.
Recently, our Technical Leader and software developer, Francisco Pereira, traveled to the heart of one of the most important mining operations in Chile: BHP's Spence site. His mission was to connect directly with users and understand in depth the impact of our technology.
We spoke with him to hear about his experience and the importance of every role at Antara, no matter how technical, being close to our customers.
Antara: Francisco, thank you for sharing your experience with us. We know that you have participated in key projects, but your visit to the Spence site seems to have been especially significant. To begin with, what was the first thing that struck you when you arrived on site?
Francisco: Absolutely. The first thing that impresses is the scale and the organization. You imagine a mining operation, but what you find is a real city in the middle of the desert. It has incredibly well-defined rules and safety protocols of a level that makes you understand the magnitude and seriousness of the work being done there. To see that continuous operation, from dawn to almost dusk, is simply breathtaking.
Antara: We know that your main focus, beyond infrastructure, was to connect with the users of our platform. From your role as a developer, how was that experience of seeing your own work "in action", directly in the environment for which it was created?
Francisco: That was the real heart of the journey. As developers, we design flows and functionalities, but seeing directly the users interact with our platform, Antara MP, in their natural environment, is invaluable. I was able to observe their routines, their challenges, and the moments when the technology really makes their jobs easier. We were able to ask them direct, unfiltered questions, which allowed us to gain a depth of knowledge that no document or remote call could match.
Antara: You mentioned that the interaction went beyond the strictly professional. In our philosophy, we always emphasize the importance of people. How fundamental is the human factor in this process?
Francisco: It is fundamental. Perhaps the most enriching moment was sharing in the casino during the lunch break. There the conversation flows in a different way. We not only talk about the platform, but also about their lives, their interests, their experiences at work. You stop seeing a 'user' and start seeing a person. That empathy is what then drives you to develop not just functional software, but a solution that genuinely helps and respects the user's time and effort. Mining is also a place where people bond and share.
Antara: Finally, and looking ahead, what key reflection do you take away from this visit and how will it impact the next steps in the development of our solutions?
Francisco: I take with me an unforgettable experience, both for the human quality of the people with whom I shared and for the understanding of the incredible work being done at Spence. The reflection is clear: to deliver solutions with real value, it is essential to go out, listen and observe. Understanding the context of your client and the day-to-day life of your users is not a 'plus', it is the basis of excellence. My goal now is to put all this learning into our work and, without a doubt, I hope to return soon to continue contributing and delivering more and better solutions.
Our Conclusion:
Francisco's experience is a testament to our commitment. At Antara, each line of code is inspired by the people who will use it. We will continue to foster this closeness, because we are convinced that this is the only way to build the future of mining management: together, from the field.
