In a milestone for the local economy, the El Teniente Division positioned itself as the Codelco Division that made the most purchases from local suppliers. With the “Juntos Emprendemos de Local” program as one of the catalysts, in 2023, an annual investment of 109.3 million dollars was achieved in MiPyme purchases.

During 2023, El Teniente increased its purchases from local suppliers by 4.5%, exceeding the established divisional goal of reaching 2.7%. This program is related to the Territorial Development Strategy with Social Value, promoted for all Codelco operations.

Teodoro Schmidt, Codelco's Senior Territory Development Specialist, explained that "our commitment was to develop tools for local suppliers. At El Teniente, the result has been spectacular. The Division itself, the Supply teams and the purchasing managers have established it as part of the culture."

Annual divisional purchases from local suppliers have seen steady growth over the past three years, rising from $34.7 million in 2020 to $109.3 million in 2023.

Opportunities for local businesses

These figures are related to the implementation of the corporate program "Juntos Emprendemos de Local", an initiative carried out in partnership with the Simón de Cirene Corporation and Gestión Social. In its final stage, this program seeks to provide comprehensive support in the bidding processes to local companies in the region.

Patricio León, global manager of Frantom Ltda., was grateful for the opportunity to participate in the program. “Any window that opens, as a small or micro-business, is important. For us, as a company, it changed our lives,” he said.

Felipe Moraga, a Supplier Development Engineer at Codelco, added that “it is crucial because it ensures that part of the Corporation’s investment stays in the region. It offers them business opportunities, economic stability and growth.”

During this year, 9 calls for tenders in 74 categories have been followed, which has facilitated direct contact with 129 companies from different municipalities in the O'Higgins region. This personalized approach has been fundamental in facilitating the registration and participation of local suppliers on different occasions.

Priscila Cortés, legal representative of the company Decantin Servicios SPA, explained the benefits of these spaces. “The opportunity that has been presented to us has simplified processes. A possibility is created and ventanas are opened for those who think that it might be very difficult,” she said.

Thanks to the success of the program, the Local Supplier Plan has been established in Red Negocios, a platform that allows the accreditation and consolidation of the background of supplier companies. In addition, eight information capsules have been designed that detail the steps necessary to become part of the company's main database platform.

Nancy Coronado, Supply Engineer for the Division, said that “today they have a direct channel with our area, they feel closer to it. They have learned to participate in the processes and they are undoubtedly grateful for that.”

This initiative is part of Codelco's commitments for 2030, which include the development of the territories. The goal is to increase goods and services from local suppliers by 60%.