Where mining meets machine intelligence.

Cristián López

Senior Digital Analytics & OT Leader

Mining  ×  AI  ×  Transformation

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Cristián López — Senior Digital Analytics & OT Manager
About

A leader at the intersection
of deep earth and deep data.

Born in Chile and forged in the world's most demanding mining operations, I've spent twelve years translating the language of ore bodies into the language of algorithms. From the copper pits of the Atacama to the boardrooms of Brisbane, I've led digital transformation at two of the planet's largest mining companies — Glencore and Codelco — driving more than $250M in portfolio value through AI, advanced analytics, and IT-OT convergence.

I hold an Australian Global Talent visa — recognition by the Australian Government of exceptional ability in the resources technology sector. My work sits at the rare intersection where mining engineering rigor meets machine learning possibility, where a decade of operational instinct informs every model I build. I lead with curiosity, execute with precision, and believe the most important technology is still the people who use it.

0 Years Mining & Tech
0 Portfolio Value Led
0 Transformation Initiatives
0 Languages (ES · EN · FR)
Expertise Model

The Comb-Shaped Professional

The comb-shaped professional combines broad cross-disciplinary knowledge with deep expertise across multiple domains — enabling them to lead at the intersection of complex systems. Toggle the shapes below to see how this model compares.

Broad knowledge base: IT/OT Convergence Cybersecurity Agile / Scrum Data Governance Financial Analysis Geomechanics Logistics Optimisation Innovation Management
Career

The Journey

Oct 2023 – Present Brisbane, Australia

Senior Manager, Digital Analytics & OT

Glencore

  • Leads $25M+ CAPEX digital optimisation portfolio across Glencore Copper globally
  • Driving $75M+ CAPEX asset modernisation strategies and $150M+ OPEX reduction in Australian Zinc/Lead
  • Founded digital academy and IS steering committee; first digital projects in African assets
Mar 2021 – Oct 2023 Brisbane, Australia

Global Digital Analytics Manager

Glencore

  • Scaled advanced analytics capability across global copper and zinc assets
  • Delivered 6.06% fine copper uplift via XGBoost / EMCEE SAG mill optimisation models
  • Built and mentored cross-functional data science teams across three continents
Dec 2019 – Feb 2021 Santiago, Chile

Corporate Director of Digital Transformation

Codelco

  • 9.7% copper grade uplift via ML prescriptive models at Chuquicamata — industry-leading result
  • Founded Codelco's first corporate data science unit and data governance committee
  • Built COVID-19 digital geofencing app deployed across all Codelco operations within 72 hours
Jan 2019 – Nov 2019 Rancagua, Chile

Director of Innovation

Codelco El Teniente

  • Led data science strategy and governance for the world's largest underground copper mine
  • Deployed LightGBM comminution models achieving measurable throughput gains
  • Established innovation pipeline and digital-physical integration roadmap
Feb 2016 – Dec 2018 Melbourne, Australia

Product Manager

Tiger Spider

  • Led cloud-based multi-body dynamics SaaS platform for heavy vehicle logistics
  • Winner — ANZ Innovation Hackathon 2016
  • Presented at HVTT15 (Rotterdam) on cloud computing for heavy vehicle optimisation
2013 – 2015 Antofagasta, Chile

Mining & Process Engineer

Antofagasta PLC

  • Designed in-house truck dispatch system, reducing fleet idle time by 18%
  • Built truck-fleet simulation models for mine planning and grade control optimisation
2012 – 2013 Santiago, Chile

Research Assistant

AMTC — University of Chile

  • Applied Synthetic Rock Mass modelling to characterise rock mass behaviour at El Teniente
  • Published at FLAC/DEM Symposium 2013, Hangzhou, China
Global Footprint

A Career Across Two Continents

From the Atacama Desert to the Queensland coast — click any marker to explore the work done there.

Research & Speaking

Publications & Conference Presentations

Procemin-GEOMET 2019 · Santiago, Chile

Optimising SAG Plant production using Advanced Analytics at Codelco El Teniente

Presented prescriptive ML model results achieving 6.06% fine copper uplift via XGBoost/EMCEE Bayesian optimisation of SAG mill operations.

HVTT15 2018 · Rotterdam, Netherlands

Leveraging Cloud Computing for Heavy Vehicle Optimisation

Demonstrated cloud-native architecture for real-time multi-body dynamics simulation applied to heavy haulage fleet management.

FLAC/DEM Symposium 2013 · Hangzhou, China

Application of Synthetic Rock Mass to characterise rock mass behaviour at El Teniente Mine

Applied discrete element modelling to quantify geomechanical behaviour in block cave operations — foundational research for mine stability planning.

Education & Credentials

Academic Foundation

Master of Information Systems
University of Melbourne
2015 – 2016 · Melbourne, Australia
Becas Chile full scholarship recipient
Graduate Diploma, Mining Business Management
Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez
2013 · Santiago, Chile
Bachelor of Engineering Science — Extractive Mining & Metallurgy
Universidad de Chile
2006 – 2011 · Santiago, Chile
Recognition & Certifications
🇦🇺 Australian Global Talent Visa (2020) 🏆 Becas Chile Scholarship (2014) Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certified ScrumMaster (CSM) ANZ Innovation Hackathon Winner (2016)
Philosophy

What I Stand For

Excellence

High standards aren't negotiable. Every deliverable, every decision, every interaction — executed with the same rigour I'd apply to a production-critical system.

Loyalty

I invest in people and partnerships for the long term. Trust is built through consistency, not contracts. The teams I've led know I have their back.

Growth

Stagnation is the only real failure. I pursue continuous improvement relentlessly — in the models I build, the teams I lead, and the person I'm becoming.

Knowledge

Rigour over shortcuts. Applied insight over theoretical abstraction. I've learned to ask better questions by spending years at the coalface — literally.

Balance

Sustainable performance requires sustainable living. The same systems thinking I apply to mining operations, I apply to how I work and live.

Contact

Let's build something
that matters.

Open to senior leadership roles, advisory engagements, and speaking invitations at the intersection of mining, AI, and digital transformation.

Get in touch