With a positive outcome, 72 students from five technical high schools in Rancagua, Machalí and Las Cabras completed their work experience at Codelco El Teniente Division. For 11 weeks, students acquired knowledge about the production processes of large-scale mining and in particular about underground mining carried out at El Teniente, to strengthen their academic training and preparation for the world of work.

Students from Pedro Aguirre Cerda and Ernesto Pinto Lagarrigue high schools, the Bernardo O'Higgins Mining Technological Institute, the Machalí Multipurpose High School and Francisco Encina Armanet de Las Cabras participated in the process. In this edition, the program included field activities and talks given by professionals from different areas.

Carlos Vásquez Rojas, supervisor of the Community Development Department of El Teniente, said that “it was an enriching experience. They learned about the life of a miner and put their theoretical knowledge into practice. It was a learning of skills that will strengthen their academic future.”

Daniela Catalán, a specialist engineer from the Management and Inspection of Collaborating Companies Department, said that “technical high schools not only provide training in mining, but also in various areas with high demand. They are key for students to enter companies and be trained from the beginning in their culture and way of working.”

Comprehensive learning

Over the course of eleven weeks, the practices were structured around twenty intensive lectures that addressed the stages of the Mine, Plant and Smelter. In addition, theoretical and practical talks were organized with copper professionals from cross-cutting areas on topics such as: hydrogeology, environment, tailings, communications, operational development, among others.

The interns also visited El Teniente facilities, such as the Plant, the Interior of the Mine and the CIO Room. In addition, heritage visits were made to spaces such as Sewell and the El Teniente Stadium. These experiences provided them with a direct immersion in the mining reality, as well as strengthening their academic training.

Carlos Fuentes, Technical Professional Coordinator of the Bernardo O'Higgins Mining Institute, said that "we are happy because they achieved their goals. We are grateful for the opportunity that was given to these young people and that allowed them to broaden their vision of their future in mining."

For Catalina Zúñiga, internship supervisor at the Liceo Polivalente de Machalí, “the experience was very positive. These opportunities are essential, especially for students from high schools with high levels of vulnerability, as they open up new opportunities for their future work.”

Vicente Ponce, an intern at the Bernardo O'Higgins Mining Technical Institute, said that “everyone was kind to me and I learned a lot. The field visits allowed me to see the reality of a worker up close,” while Samira Solís, from the Ernesto Pinto Lagarrigue High School, said that “this experience exceeded my expectations, especially the trips, which I enjoyed a lot. If I study something related to mining, I feel that this will be a great foundation.”