Mining suppliers grow as large projects develop

Due to the mining growth in San Juan over recent years, the food service provider for projects like Pascua Lama keeps growing significantly. Carlos Solá, company president, said that ATA already has 1,200 employees in San Juan. Moreover, he said that they expect a 30% increased turnover this year, while they aim at enlarging the company’s service range, with the help of the increased activity of Barrick project.

«There is a possibility to build up, along with four other companies, a convention center like La Rural, where important fairs and exhibitions are held. In a first stage, it will have 12,000 meters and it will be opened by mid-2014. We did the right thing when we decided to settle in San Juan,» emphasizes Solá.

How many employees does Alta Tecnología Alimentaria manage?, we asked the manager.

At Lama project we currently provide all food services to 5,400 workers: breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack. Besides, we offer complete hotel services: cleaning, laundry, recreation and rescue squad. Our staff in Lama project reaches 1,000 people and in San Juan we have more than 1,200 employees because we are also working in Gualcamayo, in the construction of Punta Negra Dam and El Bardón, another venture of Barrick.

Is there any other service provider company with more staff than yours?

In San Juan we are complete leaders. For more than five years we have grown at a high rate, over 20% or 30% annually. Of course, what is happening now regarding this mega project surpasses all indexes, but we are strongly focused on remote sites, with an important future projection with works ahead.

What investment is made by the company in order to keep its structure?

The construction of the meat and vegetables processing plant opened in September last year required an outlay of eight million pesos. Food consumed by staff on different projects is processed in that plant.

What is the main service offered by the company?

Food service. We provide daily meals as well as contribute to workers’ satisfaction at their workplace. We organize special events like Chile, Spain, Italy and Brazil Day, and also, for national holidays we decorate the canteen. In the case of Lama project, we serve 4,000 people every day.