Analytical Hierarchical Process to Establish the Criteria for Choosing Explosives Suppliers in Small and Medium Mining Companies

Mining plays a pivotal role in economies worldwide, contributing to employment, infrastructure, and the supply of essential raw materials. Chile’s global mining powerhouse, particularly copper production, exemplifies this industry’s economic significance. The supplier selection process industry, complex multifaceted task, is explored detail, specifically focusing on explosives procurement, critical component for mineral extraction. paper underscores importance informed decisions, especially SMEs, which often need more resources capabilities efficient management. To address these challenges, study proposes applying Analytic Hierarchical Process (AHP), multi-criteria decision-making methodology, identify prioritize criteria sub-criteria pertinent choosing suppliers. A case Coquimbo Region, Chile, involving SMEs sector empirical foundation research. Our research highlights that foremost criterion Region’s “relationship with environment communities”. This reflects national context community tensions rising environmental standards social expectations, can profoundly impact operations. “Quality products services” second most crucial criterion, underscoring SMEs’ drive enhance productivity efficiency. “Contractual compliance” follows closely, signifying integration into broader sustainability efforts. Conversely, “innovation” ranks as least relevant indicating traditional processes due limited cost constraints. These insights are valuable company managers, emphasizing sustainability, corporate responsibility, management control systems.