For the first time, 40 students from the Electrical Engineering department of the Bernardo O'Higgins Mining Technological Institute (ITMBO) in Rancagua visited the main substation of Codelco's El Teniente Division in Sewell. During the day, they learned about the electrical work in the mining industry, as well as the advances in energy efficiency and the development of renewable energies implemented by the company.

Divided into two groups, students were guided by civil engineers with more than 20 years of experience in the electrical industry, who explained to them how a substation works, the associated risks, mitigating measures, possible tasks in the electrical sector and the technical aspects of the division's main substation.

Carlos Fuentes, Technical Professional Coordinator of ITMBO, said that “as professionals in the electrical field, few companies offer an opportunity like this. Our goal was to convey to the students that they are opening doors so that others can also learn about and connect with the industry. This experience, both pedagogically and vocationally, was deeply inspiring.”

Bastián Sharp, energy manager at El Teniente, explained that “we want to promote this type of educational visits to convey the importance of the electrical specialty in the development of sustainable mining, as well as the risks associated with working with electricity. By understanding these aspects from an early stage, we seek to train electricians with greater skills who can integrate more effectively into the industry.”

Promoting an energy culture

The visits to technical schools aim to promote the creation of an energy culture that allows the integration of key actors in the process (industry, the State and teaching). Its objective is to unite education with industry, strengthen this link and promote energy culture from an early stage.

Matías Navarro, a third-year electrical student, said that “it was an extremely enriching experience, since it was our first visit to a substation. We learned a lot, but what struck me the most was the explanation about the electrical system and the valuable safety lessons.”

Meanwhile, Osvaldo Bascuñán, a student in the same specialty, added that “it was an entertaining experience. Although I felt inexperienced, I discovered many interesting things. They explained to us how operations have evolved over the years.”

Finally, the students enjoyed a guided tour of the historic former Sewell mining camp, where they explored its most emblematic buildings, visited the iconic palitroque, the Great Copper Mining Museum and appreciated the mural commemorating the Tragedy of Smoke.