With the aim of strengthening the prevention of forest emergencies, the regional director of O'Higgins, Oscar Galdames, and his team of specialists from the National Forestry Corporation (CONAF) visited the Integrated Operations Center of Codelco El Teniente Division, located in the Rancagua Patio. This activity is part of a series of collaboration meetings established in the agreements between both institutions, focused on improving the prevention and combating of forest fires.

The objective of this action was to show the specialists the center's facilities and its mining modernization processes. It also sought to explore points of collaboration and share good practices in forest fire management, given the recent modernization of the CONAF system.

Leonardo Argandoña, Director of Territory and Circular Economy at El Teniente, said that “the meeting was very positive because it gave us the opportunity to identify gaps that will be addressed to optimize coordination and improve joint processes. There are some jobs that the center currently has that can be optimized to more efficiently coordinate timely response to forest fires.”

During the tour, they explored the implementation of innovative technologies such as high-resolution cameras and artificial intelligence, which allow for early detection and more efficient management of forest fires. The specialists highlighted the operational control of the tailings channel, through cameras and technology along its route.

Óscar Galdames, director of the O'Higgins Region of CONAF, explained that "it is important for us to know this integrated center, a key aspect for our corporation. For our institution and its leadership, it is essential to maintain the long-standing collaboration with Codelco, since it gives us the opportunity to identify and project improvements in our own processes."

“Together against forest fires”

Currently, the Division maintains two collaboration agreements with the Forestry Corporation, in the O'Higgins Region and in the Metropolitan Region, focused on fire prevention and fighting. These agreements establish coordination and technical support, including contributions for brigades, helicopters, trucks, rentals and other resources.

Alejandro Maureira, head of forest fire control at CONAF, said that “this meeting is extremely important for us because we want to migrate to a camera and monitoring system with artificial intelligence. The experience they have is positive, we are very happy because we see that it is possible. The contribution that Codelco makes in the coordination, especially for the issue of forest fires, is fundamental for us.”

In addition, the copper company has a forest fire protocol in force since 2020, which defines internal and external coordination. It is currently being perfected by the Forest Fire Control Operational Committee, established in December for this season.