Thanks to collaborative work with neighbors, Codelco División El Teniente promoted improvements to the community court in Villa Las Camelias, in Rancagua. The initiative, which benefited 500 people in the area, included the installation of a 184-meter perimeter fence, pedestrian access and a gate for the entry of machinery.

Railway sleepers from the mining company were used in the perimeter fencing works, a resistant and durable material that provided a firmer support to the structure and ensured stability and greater protection.

Cristián Sanhueza, Community Development Director of the El Teniente Division, said that “this initiative is the result of collaborative work between the company and the residents of Las Camelias. Over time, we have maintained a constant link with different groups in the Rancagua Sur sector, promoting improvements that strengthen community life and contribute to the quality of life of its inhabitants.”

A space with history

The court has been used by residents for more than 20 years. Initially, it was an empty lot with mounds of earth and no sports infrastructure. Thanks to community organization, residents were granted a municipal loan renewable every five years that consolidated the use of the space.

Patricio Arenas Moreno, president of Villa Las Camelias, praised the impact of the work. “The change is total. Before, the fence was unsafe, so it was necessary to make a change to prevent horses from entering. Now, with this new fence, the neighbors are very grateful and happy,” he said.

Over time, the space became a meeting point for athletes, families and neighbors of the sector, as well as for communities from other areas of southern Rancagua, who also use it for recreational and sports activities.

Innovation with social impact

The improvements to the Villa Las Camelias field were carried out through Codelco División El Teniente's local labor program, an initiative that seeks to promote local suppliers in the mining industry in its different areas.

The team in charge was made up of workers from the region, who carried out the removal of the previous fence and the installation of the new pillars and mesh. “This fence was firm and secure, and we did it with our own hands. It is a great change for the community,” said Hernán Hernández, foreman of the works.

Pedro Madariaga Garrido, leader of the neighborhood association of the town, highlighted the importance of the project. “Before, the court was closed with weak posts and nets that were easy to remove. This change was very good,” he commented .