Pacific Mining

With over 20 years of IT leadership experience across mining, logistics and infrastructure, Francisco Bastías Cortés has been at the forefront of technological modernization in industrial sectors. He has been instrumental in pioneering cloud ERP solutions for mining and promoting sustainability through data-driven platforms. His leadership style emphasizes clarity, collaboration and long-term value creation. Currently, he is leading CMP’s digital transformation efforts, focusing on operational efficiency, innovation and environmental accountability.

One of the most defining moments in my career was the decision, back in 2021, to migrate our SAP ERP to Google’s public cloud. We were the first mining company to do so, at a time when many still had concerns about latency and operational management in such environments. However, cost pressures and the need to operate with lean IT teams led us to evaluate the cloud as a realistic and strategic option. Today, many companies—within and beyond the mining sector—have adopted SAP RISE, a solution that essentially replicates what we implemented before SAP formally launched the service.

This project taught me that cloud adoption in critical infrastructure settings requires both technical precision and solid change management. It helped shape my leadership style: rooted in clarity of purpose, cross-functional collaboration and a focus on creating long-term sustainable value.

To manage complex infrastructure and lead innovation simultaneously, we focus on building a solid, flexible, and scalable architecture. At CMP, we’ve invested in cloud-native platforms like SAP BTP, combined with our internal infrastructure based on HPE servers (IaaS), and Nokia’s Level 3 LTE services hosted in their cloud. This approach allows us to decouple innovation from the constraints of legacy systems.

Scaling with Flexible Architecture

We operate under a layered governance model. Standardized processes and service agreements support operational continuity, while we promote innovation by constantly challenging existing workflows and encouraging experimentation. Clear communication, continuous monitoring and alignment between IT objectives and operational KPIs are essential to managing complexity successfully.

Still, challenges persist. One of the biggest is the gap in user competencies to fully leverage these advanced tools. Traditional training methods have been ineffective, which impacts the return on our digital investments.

In some cases, digital initiatives are seen as complete once the technical development ends—without validating actual adoption by the business or delivering real, tangible value.

These challenges have led us to take a more strategic approach to investments, centered on sustainability and impact.

Sustainable Impact through Digitization

IT can play a transformative role in advancing sustainability goals. At CMP, alongside our business units, we use digital platforms to capture and analyze environmental performance data in real time, which enables faster and more informed decisions on resource efficiency.

Our GRP model, built on SAP BTP, has helped reduce operational risks and optimization processes, directly improving both safety and energy efficiency. Technologies like IoT, artificial intelligence and predictive analytics allow us to reduce emissions, minimize water usage, extend asset lifecycles and anticipate risks that were previously unforeseen.

In this way, digitalization enhances transparency while positioning IT as a strategic enabler that empowers mining companies to proactively address environmental and sustainability challenges.

For those who aspire to lead IT in the mining sector, I’d offer a few lessons from my journey. First, never lose sight of operational reality. A deep understanding of how the business works—its processes and constraints—is essential for technology to deliver real and measurable impact.

Second, build trust through consistency. In industrial environments, sustained and reliable execution matters more than big promises. Trust is earned through actions, not words.

Third, embrace change as a constant. While digital transformation in mining may seem gradual, when aligned with a clear purpose, its impact can be profound and long-lasting.

Finally, lead with humility and curiosity. I surround myself with people who challenge me, listen actively and create environments for teams to propose, fail and improve. Innovation doesn’t always come from grand strategies; it often emerges from the learning, every day, on the ground.