What is your job about?

Here, first the drilling is carried out, then the blasting is done. The loaders remove the rocks and imperfect walls are left on the hill, with material that can remain loose. So, for safety, we use the excavator to remove all of that, cleaning it up as we say, so that the wall remains firm and there is no danger of material falling. In this way, we clean up each step.

What do you like most about your job?
In general, machines. I have been interested in them since I was a child, in my case in agriculture, because of my father. I even studied mechanical engineering, so I have an idea of engines and all that.

How long have you been in the Division?
I joined in December 2012. I applied through the website and thank God I got in. Before that I worked in mining, but in a contracting company in the Andina Division, where I worked for about eleven years. But I'm not from there, I'm from Temuco, from Padre Las Casas to be exact.

I started working with machinery on roads and I started looking for work until, unintentionally, I ended up in mining. And while I was at Andina, I always wanted to take the step to work at Codelco. I tried several times, but nothing worked out, until an application came up for El Teniente and here I am, it changed my life.

What has El Teniente brought to your life?

I have the stability to do different things and plan for my family, which is the most important thing.

What safety message would you like to give to the workers at El Teniente?

Here we are all clear about safety, because they stress that to us every day. But, on a personal level, I want to tell you that we should take care of ourselves every day, in everything we do. Those of us who are in machinery should take up the three points of support and our families wait for us every day, so let's take care of each other.

What does it mean to you to work for a company like Codelco, which delivers its surpluses to all Chileans?

Being here makes you feel the weight and it is a great pride to know that we are making a contribution to the country. I feel proud to be in a state-owned company that helps us all.