Humberto Cruz Aguirre
***********@*****.***, Cell.: +1-713-***-****. Houston, Texas.
Seasoned construction and project management professional with 37+ years of experience leading large-scale EPCM projects in mining, oil & gas, and heavy infrastructure. Proven expertise in high-altitude projects (4,000m+), remote site operations, and multicultural team leadership. Strong track record in contract administration, HSE compliance, QA/QC oversight, cost control, and stakeholder management. Fluent in English and Spanish.
Specialist in EPCM projects for:
-Mining: Underground – Open Pit Mines, and Operation Plants.
-Oil & Gas: Downstream, Middle Stream, and upstream (construction of refineries, Clusters)
-Metals: Construction of Lithium, Gold, Bauxite, Steel, and Aluminum Plants
-Forest: Construction of Sawmill and MDF Plants
-Housing: Construction of big housing developments
Committed to Safety - Community Management – Budget Target Oriented – Team
Leader - Milestones focused -Proven track record of safety leadership.
Knowledge of engineering and construction cost estimating and structure.
Knowledge of construction contracting strategies and package preparation requirements.
Knowledge of tools and methodologies for cost and schedule control (engineering, procurement and construction progress, productivity measurement, completion forecasts)
EDUCATION
1985 Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
University of Texas at El Paso, U.S.A
1993 Specialist in Marketing (Management Program)
Universidad Nacional Experimental de Guayana
1994 Specialist in Finances (Management Program)
Universidad Nacional Experimental de Guayana
1996 Specialist in Production and Operations (management Program)
Universidad Nacional Experimental de Guayana
SKILLS
Executive Team Leadership - Twic card holder
Multimillion management expertise - Ensure Health and safety policies.
Project Management +20MM$ - Manage construction activities.
Negotiation of EPCM contracts - Strong analytical ability
Budgeting and Finances - Estimate project budgets
Scheduling and Control - Quality Control
Evaluate and improve operations - Technical reports.
Contractors Selection - Negotiation
Strategic Planning - Effective Risk Management
EPCM Contract award - Bilingual
WORK HISTORY
Mining Consultant / Project Manager 2024 - PRESENT
VERTRIXI HOLDING – Dominican Republic
For a Copper mine the following activities have been contracted:
Site Assessment.
Feasibility Studies:
Exploration Planning:
Resource Estimation:
Mine Design
Infrastructure Planning
Permitting
Technology Assessment
Quality Control
It is expected to start production by 1st Quarter of 2026
Project Manager 2023 – 2024
LIVENT LITHIUM PLANT - SALAR DEL HOMBRE MUERTO ARGENTINA
Development of a 20.000 TPA Lithium plant.
Delivery of capital projects in full compliance with regulation requirements (laws, regulations, codes).
Leadership of cross-functional teams (Technical Center, Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Project Controls, Finance, Operations) for collaborative development of clear project scopes and requirements for delivery in full accordance with the Capital Deployment Process (CDP), a stage-gate work process.
Full ownership of capital projects through all Front-End Loading (FEL) stages including scoping, design development, procurement, module fabrication, site construction and startup.
Development and implementation of the overall project execution strategy.
Development and maintenance of a project budget, accurate forecast at completion and spend plan, possibly via a selected Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) partner.
Development and maintenance of a project schedule and accurate completion forecast, possibly via a selected EPCM partner.
Ensuring that Discipline Leads provide engineering design deliverables in compliance with project design basis, regulatory and quality requirements, budget, schedule, and best practices.
Planning, organizing, and facilitating technical reviews and following up on closure of actions.
Preparing or coordinating the preparation of bid packages, the evaluation of proposals and the selection of suppliers (for goods and services) and contractors (for construction).
Overseeing and enabling contract partners in the successful delivery of capital projects.
Partnering with the Procurement team to develop procurement strategies and manage supplier performance, issuing purchase orders, and reviewing, approving and processing associated invoices.
Tracking of project progress and timely identification of project derailers; implementation of solutions to ensure that projects meet all regulatory, safety, quality, cost and schedule targets.
Providing timely, accurate and transparent reporting to all internal stakeholders and Livent’s Executive Leadership Team.
Establishing cross-functional project teams with adequate staffing, including the EPCM partner, to ensure successful delivery of capital projects.
Project Manager 2017 – 2023
Shekinah International Commodities. (Trading Company Oil / gas Industry)
Develop of an EPCM for a Copper mine in Dominican Republic.
Direct owner’s engineering and technical personnel and coordinate major and complex projects and technical plans/activities as a part of developing business.
Plan, conduct and direct business execution including risk management, design, engineering, procurement, cost scheduling, construction activities, start-up, turnover, and completion.
Responsible for the coordination of efforts by consultants and business team to complete work within time and cost parameters and make work ‘fit for purpose’.
Development and execution of Tank Projects in Dominican Republic.
Negotiate subcontractor and material buyout.
Perform project closeout.
Business Development Manager 2013 – 2017
Yakima Trading Corp. (Project / operations Oil and Gas Industry)
Managed business related to oil / gas industry and executes them within USA.
Negotiated the construction of pet coke management project for two oil refineries in USA.
Developed a project to increase oil production in 130.000 BPD with an approximate budget of 1,6 billion dollars.
Settled an EPMC contract for a Laser Slotted Pipe plant to produce 100.000 joints per year.
Vice President of Operations 2011 - 2013
Venrus, C.A. (Gold Mining Industry)
Develop and execute projects to increase production.
Planned project activities related to the mine, selected the mine contractors for exploitation.
Reviewed all safety and security activities.
Established norms and procedures of the project for ore extraction.
Prepared monthly reports, discuss, and approve daily, weekly, and monthly schedule for execution of the project.
Implemented policies for Human resources, finances, operations, maintenance, safety, and health departments.
Reviewed and approve financial annual budget and make monthly follow up.
Improved Production 100%
General Manager 2010 – 2011
Servicios Osuvenca, C.A. (Gold Mining Industry)
Responsible for all operations related to developing an Underground mine.
Prepared monthly reports discuss and approve daily, weekly, and monthly schedule for the mine operation.
Implemented the work schedule defined by the owner.
Improved exploitation work in the mine by 30%
I took care of the health and safety work within the mine.
Administered financial and operational costs.
Improved maintenance performance and availability of the mine equipment.
Project Manager 2008 – 2009
EPS Desmote Algodon (Cotton Industry)
Advised in the direction of Engineering, Procurement, Management and Construction, evaluation, and acquisition of new technology as well as contract award and construction of a new 37.000 Tons/Month Cotton plant.
Achieved bid process for engineering and construction of the plant.
Run different scenarios for budgetary purposes.
Facilitate the subcontractor bid process to include processing, distribution and tracking of all project bidding documentation.
Regional Senior Construction Manager 2006 – 2008
Consilux Tecnologia (Housing Industry)
Reviewed the engineering; made contracts award and the full direction of 4 housing developments with 1200 apartments each development.
Managed operation cost and Schedule
Reviewed and participated in all monetary budgets.
Improved production 25%
General contractors meeting to review job progress.
Ensured engineering standards for job execution.
General Manager 2004 -2006
Crystallex International Corporation (Gold Mining Industry)
Reviewed and approve financial annual budget and make monthly follow up.
Planned and executed project schedule.
Reviewed the engineering, made EPCM contract award and full direction of the construction.
Help to demobilized 10.000 illegal miners within the limits of the concession.
Improve social relations with 13 local communities (Indian and Creoles)
Construction of 19 kilometers of road to bypass the town.
Set up a 115 KV line and electrical Substation.
Reviewed all monetary budgets (Opex and Capex)
Successfully purchased all elements to build the 20K TPD plant.
Responsible for General Contractors meeting to review job progress.
Ensured engineering standards for project execution.
Developed and executed long-term strategies.
Planed activities related to the mine, selected the mine exploitation methodology, reviewed geology to define and select areas of exploitation.
Improved exploitation by 25% at the mine and at the plant.
Prepared monthly reports discuss and approve daily, weekly, and monthly schedule for the mine operation.
Reviewed all safety and security activities.
Implemented policies for Human resources, finances, operations, maintenance, safety, and health departments
Mine Superintendent 2002 - 2003
Minerven (Gold Mining Industry)
Reviewed all safety and security activities.
Responsible for safety, production, quality, and budgets for their area of the mine operations.
Work with senior managers, other Superintendents, and their frontline supervisors to control mining operations.
Responsible for the workers, equipment, tools, and materials in mine operations
Prepare and approve plans, delegate work to their teams, oversee progress, solve problems, and take corrective action when required.
Organize budgets and monitor spending.
Prepare reports and briefs on production, safety, and progress on projects.
Lead and participate in meetings and briefings.
Recruit, train and develop employees, with support from frontline supervisors and human resources (HR) specialists.
Oversee the development of supervisors, providing support and guidance.
Work with trade unions(s), supervisors, and HR department to avoid and resolve personnel issues and grievances.
Improve the production from 800 tons to 1200 tons per day using Long Shots
Improve the skills of the operators by teaching them new activities and making them multitask.
Improve 20% of production using the production bonus as incentive.
General Manager 2000 - 2002
Andinos, C.A. (Grupo Terranova)
After internal divisions within the group in Fibranova, Andinos and Forestal Terranova, the company decided to nominate me as the General Manager of this new organization.
My duties are the Directions of Operations and marketing of our products in the local and international market.
Cost improvement will be one of the major goals to be achieved as well as the social and environmental issues.
Andinos, C.A. is a forest company with a line of production of 180k M3 year of saw wood with an outstanding German technology unique in Venezuela.
Project Manager/Operations Manager 1998 – 2000
Terranova de Venezuela, S.A. (Forest Industry)
Direction of an EPCM for a MDF (Medium Density Fiber Board) and PB (Particle Board) Plant. This plant will produce 250 thousand cubic meters of MDF boards and 120 thousand cubic meters of Particle Boards.
A $ 250 MM investment was executed.
Startup date March 2001.
Direction of Engineering, Procurement, Management and Construction (EPCM) of a Sawmill Plant with a production capacity of 180.000 m3/year. Main activities are evaluation and acquisition of new technology as well as contract award and construction of the plant.
45 MM USD investments were made.
Cost/Contracts Manager 1997 - 1998
PETROZUATA (Oil & Gas Company)
In Charge of coordinating the following activities within the Field Administration of the organization:
For the bidding process coordinate Commercial and Technical Scope of Work, Clarification Meetings, Technical exemptions of cost and schedule impact as well as commercial recommendations.
Final negotiation of contracts values agreed schedule, manpower, equipment, and bonds.
Authorization to proceed.
Issue of service orders, change orders, dispute handling and resolutions.
Invoice receipt, review, acceptance, and disputes
Punch list acceptance, warranties secured, final payment approval and final completion acceptance.
REGIONAL Manager 1994 - 1997
JANTESA (Engineering and Construction Company)
In charge of coordinating Operations and Commercial activities of the Corporation. It does involve Marketing of our services, pursue new projects, beside been the Deputy Manager for actual and incoming projects.
Deputy Construction Manager for a Hot Briquette Iron Plant of 1.0 MMTPY for KOBE STEEL.
Project Manager for the construction of an Oxygen Plant for BOC PROCESS PLANT at SIDOR. Turnkey Project
Technical Services Manager 1992 – 1994
In charge of the Administration, Planning, Cost Control and Cost Estimation for the Projects at the Headquarters.
MAIN PROJECTS:
Movilnet
Direction of Planning, Cost Control and Cost Estimation, Site Search, Engineering, Procurement, Management and Construction (EPCM) of 20 Radio Base Cellular Telecommunication System per year Nationwide.
A program of five years to cover Venezuela with Cellular Signal.
A partnership with BECHTEL was formed to accomplish this project
Orimulsion (LAGOVEN)
Direction of Planning and Scheduling for Basic Engineering, Detail Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) for the Erection of a 100.000 Barrels per day plant.
Commissioning Engineer 1989 - 1992
Interalumina – Bauxilum (Bayer Process)
Execution of Master Plans and revision of Engineering and Construction for Pre-Commissioning and Commissioning of a 2.000.000 Metric Tons of Alumina per Year.
Align all contractors to understand and accomplish the milestones of the master schedule.
Project Coordinator 1987 - 1989
Marshall y Asociados (Engineering and Construction Company)
Coordination for the execution of Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Management (EPCM) for the construction of a new Line V of 180 aluminum Pots for the Venalum Plant.
Project Coordinator 1986 - 1987
Ansaldo (Engineering and Construction Company from Italy)
Technical Services Leader and Project Coordinator for the bidding packages and proposals of the company.
Main projects executed were: EPCM Metal and Sheet plant and 125 MVA Electrical Substation for a Steel and Aluminum plant.
LANGUAGES
Fluent in English and Spanish.