What are your expectations for this 12th International Congress of Prospectors and Explorers (proEXPLO 2021)?

Our expectations regarding the International Congress of Prospectors and Explorers are very high because this event will allow us to learn about new technologies applicable to mining exploration.

On the other hand, and which is very relevant for us as a company related to mining, is that this event is very important because new mining prospects discovered in Peru and Latin America will be presented.

This fact will allow us to identify the prospects in which the companies have already identified an interest in exploration, mining and commercialization of the minerals they are interested in, and it is at this stage where we, after having identified and carried out the follow-up of prospection and exploration, enter to offer our product which is lime, when we have already manufactured a product tailored to the mining company's operation, both in Peru and in Latin America, where we can also enter, since we currently have quicklime production plants in Colombia, Argentina and Chile.

It is clear that this Congress has foreseen a strengthening in the academic, industrial and mining prospects to reinforce exploration with an environmental approach, something we identify with, since our plants have been designed for zero pollution.

What investments has Calidra planned for the years 2021-2022?

The CALIDRA Group has planned an investment in the district of Callalli, province of Caylloma, Arequipa region, for the construction of a second MAERZ kiln with a capacity of 400 MT/day, which added to the one already existing in the plant at the above-mentioned location, would total 6,800 MT/day.

With this volume we will serve the mining market in southern Peru, as well as the central and northern part of the country, for all our suppliers and to attract new, current and future suppliers resulting from the materialization of prospecting and exploration of deposits.

On the other hand, we intend to enter the Brazilian market with quicklime and, if necessary, with construction lime and the other types of limes we produce. We will also invest in another MAERZ kiln in Argentina in order to expand our market in that country and in Chile.

What technology has Calidra been applying in its work?

CALIDRA uses MAERZ kilns in its operations, which is a state-of-the-art Swiss technology kiln, of the PFR (Parallel-Flow Regenerative) type, suitable for calcining with natural gas, micronized coal (pet coke), or a mixture of both. Due to its high thermal efficiency in the calcination process (double shaft), it allows to obtain limes of high reactivity and purity, with a considerable saving of energy and fuel consumption, therefore, it indirectly favors the environment.

How do you describe Peruvian geology?

According to the geological context, Peru is a country of abundant mineral resources. Throughout its territory there are a great variety of metalliferous deposits of diverse nature.

In recent years, exploration has been focused on the search for epithermal gold and silver deposits and low sulfidation.

It is important to mention that Peru ranks first in the production of gold in Latin America, with more than 132 tons per year, and it is projected to reach historical records never achieved in the national history.

More than 40 substances are produced, including metallic and non-metallic. Of the first one we will mention: antimony, bismuth, cadmium, copper, tin, iron, indium, manganese, etc., and they have been recognized in different locations throughout the country, but more exploration is needed to define and quantify their exploitation possibilities. Non-metallic minerals include calcium oxide, barytes, limestone, gypsum, kaolin, fire clays, talc and ornamental rocks.

It is crucial to find a systemic exploration of the country. Based on the new geological information of the territory, the knowledge of the Andean metallogenesis and the new exploitation technologies available, this will make it possible to evidence and quantify new and greater mineral and energy resources at the national level.

How would you describe Peruvian geology professionals?

Regarding this, we have to point out that Peruvian geology professionals are highly qualified, since they have a wide experience due to the mineralogical richness of the Peruvian geography. In our case, this has allowed us to carry out the mining of our quarry in an orderly and uniform manner, which allows us to manage costs efficiently.

We consider that Peruvian geology professionals are apt to perform not only at a national level but also worldwide, they are very disciplined and diligent, very constant in their work.

What has been the main impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Calidra's performance?

In this regard we must say that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact not only at the national level but globally, so our company is no stranger, with the difference that our operations did not stop at all, but what we noticed was that our orders with some suppliers suffered a slight decrease, which understandably, due to the temporary closure of markets, had to reduce their production rate, but we also highlight that in the pandemic we have gained new customers who have valued on a technical level our type of lime and the proximity of our plant to the mining companies nationwide and with competitive prices.