In an effort to prevent seasonal emergencies and improve the environment of communities near its operations, Codelco División El Teniente has cleaned more than 25 kilometers and removed 6,900 kilos of garbage on the Colinas Verdes route.

In addition, since last November, more than 40 kilometers have been cleared from the surroundings of roads in Machalí, Coya, Gultro, Doñihue and Olivar.

Carlos Vásquez, supervisor of the copper company's Community Development Department, explained that "through a local company, cleaning, weeding, pruning and clearing tasks were carried out in neglected areas, responding to requests from residents to improve their surroundings."

In Colinas Verdes, a road that connects Gultro to Coya, 25 kilometers of roads, verges and parking lots were cleaned. In addition, 5 thousand kilos of waste were collected, along with the recycling of 1,900 kilos of glass and plastic bottles.

At the same time, the team was at the Cesfam (Family Health Centre) in Gultro to carry out work to improve the surroundings, interior courtyards and irrigation canal. This action aims to prevent seasonal emergencies and ensure the safety of the service's patients.

The director of the Cesfam, Ivonne Zárate, explained that “it is important that El Teniente implements this type of initiatives because it generates a better image of our environment in the community. The changes are noticeable and contribute to the safety of those who transit through these spaces.”

Promotion of local labor

Thanks to the local labor program, the company "FyV Servicios Integrales" is in charge of carrying out the work. Made up of workers from the region, each team is organized into groups of eight workers to coordinate the actions effectively.

“Through our commitment to this program, we are helping to build a cleaner region and country,” explained Felipe Lara, the company’s supervisor.

Hernán Hernández, foreman of the works, said that “with our work we contribute directly and indirectly to the prevention of forest fires and to the improvement of the environment in our region.”

Since November, more than 40 kilometers of roads in the municipalities of Olivar, Machalí and Doñihue have been cleaned. The works have been carried out on the El Cobre highway, as well as in areas surrounding the ETEO plant in Olivar, California and Rinconada de Doñihue.