Supply Partners

DERK INGENIERÍA, GEOLOGÍA Y SERVICIOS

About

 

 

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)