With great enthusiasm, and also some nervousness, eleven young people were welcomed to the El Teniente Division, as part of the new generation of Graduates, a Codelco program that calls for graduates or holders of degrees associated with the mining business with less than one year of experience.

During the induction day, they were guided by directors and superintendents of El Teniente who, like them, began their careers in the division as Graduates.

“It is very important for us to have professionals with a fresh perspective join us, who can help us identify opportunities, especially in the challenging times we are in,” says Ignacio Salinas, Director (i) of Integration.

"We hope that they have an excellent development and that they reach prominent places, because they are the next generation of leaders who, hopefully, will be giving this kind of welcome to other young people in a few years," he added.

The graduates ended the day with a meeting with El Teniente's Operations Manager, Claudio Sougarret, who told them about the state of the business, expectations regarding its integration, and the challenges of working in the largest underground copper mine in the world, where they will work in the plant, mine, and Operational Excellence Department processes.

“I wish you all the best in this stage that is beginning, which is a very important moment both personally and professionally. Therefore, our mission is to pay the utmost attention to this training process, where we hope you can deploy your full potential, which will undoubtedly help us meet our challenges to keep the division competitive and in privileged positions in the industry,” he added.

“Being here is like playing for the Chilean national team”

Danilo Martínez studied chemical engineering at the University of Concepción. He will be working in the Plant Management for a year and does not hide his enthusiasm for having been selected for the program.

“Being at Codelco is like being part of the country’s national team, but in engineering. It’s like playing for Chile in the national team,” he says. “I’m impressed by how modern the control rooms are, how big it is here. I come mainly to learn and contribute, to be an agent of change and deliver new ideas.”

The mining civil engineer, Olaya Calderón, also shares the excitement: “Codelco is a dream for me. I am from Rancagua, so I have been close to the mine all my life and it is a great experience to work in such an important mine and corporation, which provides a fundamental contribution to the country.”

For Sofía Jorquera, a mining civil engineer from the University of Santiago, this program means a return to El Teniente. “I did my thesis in this division and continuing in this process of the working world accompanied by a tutor is a unique opportunity. Entering the mining world through this program gives me more confidence to ask questions and learn.”

Some are already planning a future in El Teniente, like Samuel Madera, a mechanical civil engineer from the University of Chile, who will work for the Mine Maintenance Department: “It is an excellent opportunity to develop myself and contribute to the country. I feel challenged and impressed and within my expectations is to be part of the division as an agent of change and to lead to inspire good results in people, taking care of their safety and well-being. I want to be immersed in that mystique.”

The program

Codelco's Graduados(as) initiative turned 15 in 2023 and seeks to integrate young talent into operations and projects to boost the mining of the future.

The program provides comprehensive training in business-related skills, leadership development, operational excellence, change management and data management, and gives young people the opportunity to participate in strategic projects and do internships in key business areas. All of this, with the help of tutors who will accompany them throughout the process for a year.