A community investment agreement signed between Codelco División El Teniente and the El Cajón-El Guindal Drinking Water Committee of Machalí allowed for the execution of works that will help 600 families in the sector to have continued access to water resources.

In addition to improving the infrastructure, such as replacing the extraction pump and a network of pipes, educational activities have been organised to promote water care in institutions such as the Sol Naciente nursery school and among residents of El Guindal, Los Peumos, El Cajón and La Puntilla.

The copper company's Sustainability and External Affairs Manager, Germán Sandoval, explained that "we seek to execute actions inspired by the triple value (economic, social and environmental) to contribute to the corporate goal of reducing inland water consumption by 60% and also execute projects to optimize and increase water availability for the benefit of communities."

“Water is life and the backbone of any development, especially social development. As a mining company, water is essential for El Teniente to carry out its production processes, but it is also essential for our neighbors to develop their lives,” he added.

Nicolás Arenas, president of the APR El Cajón-El Guindal, highlighted the support and said that “we estimate that at least 3 thousand people will benefit from these works. We had an emergency and with the contribution of El Teniente the pipes were changed and a new pump was installed. We are grateful because we did not have the resources to do it.”

“There have always been problems with water in this sector and now we have been solving them through collaborative work with Codelco,” added César Jeldres, secretary of the committee.

Sustainable initiatives

El Teniente has promoted a series of initiatives such as the Environmental Education Programs, which have been developed in schools in Machalí, Coya, Rancagua, Las Cabras and Alhué, in which educational and recreational activities are carried out to raise awareness about water scarcity together with other local actors.

Another line of work has been support for neighbouring communities and collaboration with Rural Drinking Water Associations (APR) in Doñihue, Machalí and Alhué, to ensure the continuity of the resource and reduce vulnerabilities in the systems.

In addition, hydrogeological consultancy services, telemetry, emergency plans and telecommunications improvements have been provided.

In total, more than 10,000 people have been supported thanks to the monitoring of five critical APRs and 7,000 people have been supported by advice and the creation of Emergency Plans in Alhué and Las Cabras.