Title: Consultant and Country Manager
Company: REDCO Mining Consultants
Location: Eden Prairie, Minnesota, United States
Patricio Vergara Lara, Consultant and Country Manager at REDCO Mining Consultants, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements and leadership in Mining Engineering.
Mr. Vergara Lara has established himself as a distinguished figure in the mining industry, currently serving as a consultant and country manager at REDCO Mining Consultants. Since 2024, he has been instrumental in coordinating engineering work with North American companies and providing advisory roles to large corporations. Additionally, Mr. Vergara Lara is a partner in the company and co-founded its U.S. branch, further expanding Redco’s reach beyond its primary markets in South America and Southeast Asia.
REDCO Mining Consultants has offices in Chile and Peru. The engineering consulting firm comprises over 85 employees who specialize in mining-related studies, engineering projects and consulting, with a particular focus on mining extraction. The firm is also well-known for its expertise in underground mining and open-pit operations.
Before being recruited by REDCO, Mr. Vergara Lara became a self-employed mining consultant in 2023. As such, he provides his expertise for mining projects, operations and business development, which is supported by a vast network of subject matter experts.
From 2020 to 2023, Mr. Vergara Lara served as the vice president of resources and development at Corporación Nacional del Cobre de Chile, where he played a pivotal role in advancing the company’s strategic initiatives. His earlier tenure at BHP Billito between 2017 and 2020 as the principal of underground mining showcased his expertise in block caving, earning him recognition for his contributions to the field.
Mr. Vergara Lara’s earlier career trajectory included several other significant roles, such as director of mining at Twin Metals Minnesota LLC from 2012 to 2017 and manager at PT Freeport Indonesia between 2011 and 2012. He also excelled as the general superintendent of engineering at PT Freeport Indonesia from 2008 to 2011 and as the chief of mine operations at Codelco Chile between 2005 and 2007, laying the foundation for his extensive knowledge and leadership skills in the mining sector.
In preparation for his future in this sector, Mr. Vergara Lara’s academic background included a Bachelor of Science in engineering mining from Universidad de Chile in 1995 and a Master of Science in mineral economics from the Western Australian School of Mines at Curtin University in Australia, completed in 2002. These educational achievements have been instrumental in shaping his career, providing him with the technical acumen necessary for his various roles.
Complementing his professional journey, Mr. Vergara Lara maintains involvement with industry-related organizations, such as the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, where he has been an active member since 2016. His civic engagements include serving on the board of BHP Senegal, consulting for a Swedish company, and chairing joint ventures between Codec and Rio Tinto.
Among his many career achievements, Mr. Vergara Lara contributed to significant projects, including his role in the expansion plan for the world’s most extensive underground operation, which increased production from 90,000 to 126,000 tons per day during his tenure at Codelco. While in Indonesia, he led the development and construction of the largest mine, which was designed to produce 160,000 tons per day and ultimately achieved a daily production of over 180,000 tons per day. In the U.S., Mr. Vergara Lara became involved in the mining design and planning of a significant copper-nickel deposit in northern Minnesota.
Mr. Vergara Lara is committed to repositioning mining in the U.S. as a technologically advanced industry and inspiring future generations to pursue careers in this field. He attributes his success to tenacity and resilience, qualities that have enabled him to overcome challenges and achieve significant milestones. Mr. Vergara Lara’s ability to connect with others through empathy and perspective-taking has fostered collaboration and teamwork across diverse environments.
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