But over the years, the situation changed and today, Julio works as head of the Maintenance and Repair Shift at Sub 6, at Codelco División El Teniente.

What made you change your mind?

I wanted a challenge. I had a good job, in a food company, and a friend told me that applications were open. So I changed from chicken and meat to mining. I had projects that I wanted to complete and I talked to my dad about it and he said, 'Go ahead, what happened to me is a lesson for you too.' Then I had the interview and a month later they called me.

What was your first job in the division?

The first thing I had to do when I arrived 15 years ago was drilling and blasting. I met old guys there who had been there for a long time and I learned. I was there for about eight months. And that's how life goes, because my dad was doing something similar when he had his accident and fell into a shaft, he was working in blasting. For me, it was incredible to see how brave the workers were. I never thought that something like that could be done inside the mountains.

And today, what is your work about?

At the moment, I am replacing the Shift Manager for Maintenance and Repair, because I was in Drilling and Blasting, but after the seismic event the teams were reconverted and today I am here.

I have a team in charge with whom we plan the work day by day and for the week. We are eight people, who carry out repairs on the streets, pipes, cleaning, and carpets. We use machines and tools, telescopic handlers, biscuit makers, welding, and oxycutting.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

Finishing tasks and shifts well. We all have to leave the mine in good shape and to do that we must take care of ourselves, respect all protocols, analyze the risks of the job well and have good planning, follow the instructions. We cannot pretend to be heroes.

How have your 15 years at El Teniente been? Are you happy with the decision you made to enter the mining industry?

Yes, of course. You meet very good people here, you make good friends. There are very good people here and the job has also given me stability. I have also seen many changes over the years, especially in terms of security, there is a great concern for taking care of people.

What does your family say about you working here?

My two sons are proud. And my father, who passed away a couple of years ago, used to tell me his mining stories and I would tell him mine, so that was nice.

What does it mean to you to work at Codelco, a company that delivers its surpluses to all Chileans? 

It is a source of pride, because I feel that I am a contribution to the country, to the people, to the families, to many people. I know that in what Codelco delivers, there is something of me.