In Chile, a major mining operation (referred to here as the “Owner”) embarked on an ambitious expansion project to increase ore processing capacity from 130 ktpd to 160 ktpd. The project scope includes adding new crushing and processing equipment at the concentrator plant. To coordinate this complex expansion, the Owner partnered with a prominent EPCM contractor, who was responsible for engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM). To facilitate this expansion, the project team relied on O3’s Interface Management solution, which centralized coordination among the various teams and stakeholders. 

The Challenge: Managing Interfaces Across Multiple Project Teams 

With a project of this magnitude, aligning construction and engineering workflows was critical. Managing interfaces or “tie-ins”—the points where different scopes of work intersected—was particularly complex. Each tie-in involved commitments from multiple stakeholders, and it was essential to track, monitor, and execute these agreements accurately. Without a centralized tool, the project team faced risks of miscommunication, overlooked responsibilities, and delayed coordination that could interfere with project timelines and outcomes. 

As one team member noted, “Managing the different parts of a project requires successful integration across all parts. For this, coordinating the work processes of all stakeholders at contact points in the project becomes essential.” 

The Solution: Real-Time Interface Management in O3 

O3’s Interface Management offered a solution by centralizing the registration, monitoring, and reporting of over 200 interface points across engineering, procurement, and construction. The module allowed engineers, supervisors, and workface planners to log interface points, document responsibilities, and create detailed agreements specifying the actions required for each interface. This centralized database provided real-time visibility, ensuring every team had access to up-to-date information and preventing misalignments between stakeholders. 

One project leader explained the benefit: 

“Having the interface management functionality in the project through O3 has been a significant contribution. It allows us to record and monitor interface points and key agreements, improving traceability and reducing communication risks between parties.” 

Results: Improved Traceability, Communication, and Efficiency 

The use of O3’s Interface Management had a transformative impact on the project’s workflow and coordination: 

• Time Savings: Automated workflows and notifications streamlined the management of interface points, significantly reducing time spent coordinating tie-ins and updating stakeholders. 

• Enhanced Control: By centralizing interface agreements in O3, the project team improved visibility and traceability, reducing the chance of overlooked responsibilities and keeping all teams aligned. 
• Reduced Communication Effort: O3 minimized back-and-forth communication, with the team able to directly reference commitments and task statuses within a single platform.