Hexagon & the National Autonomous University of Mexico host academic mining forum with 10 LATAM universities

Mexico City

Together Hexagon and the National Autonomous University of Mexico (Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, UNAM) hosted an inaugural mining technology and best practices forum with 10 Latin American universities November 9th-10th on the university’s campus to support the miners of tomorrow across the region. 

Hexagon’s Mining division partnered with UNAM in 2019 to bring its leading mine planning software, HxGN MinePlan, to the students and professors of the prestigious mining university to better help educate and prepare the future workers of the mining industry in Mexico. The widely used mine planning and scheduling software suite comprises geology, engineering and production, as well as standalone software products for 3D visualization, short and long-term scheduling, ore control, blast design, surface generation and more.  

UNAM created a program directed by professor José Enrique Santos Jallath for teaching HxGN MinePlan software. The program is supported by the collaboration of advanced students who are trained in MinePlan who train their junior colleagues. 

“The collaboration between UNAM and Hexagon has improved the academic program in mining engineering and has benefited students because they develop skills that they put into practice when they join the mining industry,” José Enrique Santos Jallath, Faculty of Engineering, UNAM, said. 

The first of its kind between Hexagon’s Mining division and UNAM, the academic event brought together 10 universities from across the Southern Hemisphere to focus on enhancing the education of future miners throughout Latin America. Critical mining regions (Mexico, Andino, Cono Sur, and Brazil) were well-represented at the academic forum by the following universities:  

• Universidad de Sonora 
• Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú  
• Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos  
• Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia (UPTC)  
• Universidad de Santiago de Chile (USACH)  
• Universidad de Atacama (UDA)
• Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María de Chile (UTFSM) 
• Universidad de São Paulo (USP) 
• Universidad Minas Gerais (UFMG)   
• Universidad Ouro Preto (UFOP)  

UNAM has worked alongside Hexagon in training professors and students in MinePlan software, and acted as a living case study to the 10 attending universities showcasing how the tech partnership has benefitted the university to educate students with industry-leading software and how proficiency in the technology has aided graduating students in getting jobs. 

UNAM mining students have been training and teaching their university peers how to utilize the MinePlan software, and are excited to be a part of teaching students of the forum attending universities to also become skilled users.  

“Latin America is a crucial region for the mining industry, and it is important that we support the industry through education,” Rodrigo Couto, President LATAM, Hexagon's Mining division, said. “There were many fantastic discussions that took place with UNAM and the 10 visiting universities from across LATAM. Our company is focused on the next generation of innovation, and we know that it all starts with supporting the miners of tomorrow. Hexagon promises to continue and further our educational support throughout the region.”  

Hexagon’s main commitments for this university program are centered around continuing these academic meetings with Latin American universities annually, assisting in training and certifying students in HxGN MinePlan, and replicating the teaching-learning model initiated by UNAM in the 10 participating universities and expanding to support more universities in the region. 

Interested universities in Latin America who wish to participate in Hexagon’s technology partnership program and/or who wish to attend this now annual academic forum should reach out at latam.universidades.min@hexagon.com.