In 2021, the Israeli company decided to use its developments in monitoring tailing dams

Asterra was one of the winning projects of PERUMIN Hub, in the most recent edition of the Convention held in Arequipa. The Israeli company won in the category "Successful Innovations" because it managed to change the outlook of the mining industry and critical infrastructure at a global level.

The project was born in Israel as a result of a collaboration between NASA and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Lauren Guy, founder of the company, participated in a NASA program to search for water on Mars. After developing a successful algorithm, they decided to apply their technology to the detection of water leaks on Earth.

Since then, Asterra has broadened its focus, working not only in cities but also in sectors such as mining, critical infrastructure, roads, railroads, and others.

Technology evolution

Gastón Scolnik, Asterra’s Latin American representative, says that the project’s technology is relatively new. It was initially focused on pipeline detection, but the company expanded its scope to critical infrastructure in 2021, and specifically to tailing dams monitoring in the same year.

Following that change, the company has worked with several companies in the mining sector on a global scale, with a particular focus on Africa and Europe.

Besides its pioneering tailing dams monitoring project, Asterra is involved in the control of roads, railroads, airports, and buildings. Its focus is on developing solutions to avoid in areas where water can create problems.

Prospects in the mining industry

Scolnik highlights the strength of the mining industry worldwide and how Asterra contributes to making it safer and more transparent. “Satellite monitoring provides accurate and trustworthy information, enabling mining companies to proactively monitor critical areas,” he explained.

He also pointed out that Asterra currently has offices in Chile, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay, but they plan to open soon in Peru.

About PERUMIN Hub

The company received the prestigious award, highlighting Asterra’s contribution to the Peruvian mining industry. “This is the first time that an Israeli company has received such an important award, and it is also the first time in many years of bilateral relations between Israel and Peru that an award is granted to an Israeli company,” Scolnik commented.

He stated that Asterra is proud, firstly, to help consolidate bilateral relations, and, secondly, to be able to contribute Israeli high technology to the mining sector, which is so important for Peru.

“The Peruvian Mining Industry is one of the most experienced industries in the world, and it is important for us to be recognized as we have been," he concluded.