Puchuncaví, September 9, 2026 – As part of the commemoration of World Electric Vehicle Day, Codelco's Ventanas Division officially launched operations of its new zero-emission industrial transportation system. The event was attended by authorities from the Valparaíso Region, including the Regional Secretaries of Energy, Celso Quezada, and Mining, Cristian Vasseur; as well as the General Manager of Codelco Ventanas, Claudio Flores, and other corporate and operational executives.

With the launch of this service, Ventanas becomes the Corporation's first mining operation to achieve 100% electromobility for its employee transportation. This measure surpasses the corporate goal set for 2030, which establishes a minimum of 40% electromobility for the total fleet of workers at the state-owned mining company.

In the bidding process, the company evaluated three operational scenarios: continuing with diesel, implementing the regulatory 40% conversion, or converting the entire fleet, and opted for the complete transition after confirming its budgetary viability. The new contract includes an eight-year service extension, keeping it valid until 2034.

The renewed transport system consists of six high-capacity buses (42 passengers each), 11 taxibuses (30 passengers), five vans (10 passengers) and three cars, which transport between 500 and 600 passengers daily, integrating directly employed workers and personnel from contracting companies in a unified manner.

Regarding the impact of this conversion, Claudio Flores highlighted the project's technical alignment with the area's environmental standards. “We have taken on the task of modernizing our services with technological innovation. Introducing these buses means connecting industrial transport with the use of renewable energy, establishing a higher and cleaner standard for operations in the region.”

Mauricio Acuña, Vice President of Supply at Codelco, highlighted that the project “reflects how supply can become an enabler of sustainability. Each bidding process is an opportunity to advance the Corporation's sustainability commitments, and that is why we promote solutions that not only ensure operational continuity, but also contribute to reducing our environmental footprint and accelerating the achievement of our corporate goals.”

Similarly, Alberto Godoy, Director of Services and Logistics at Codelco Ventanas, explained that this project was made possible by the vision, commitment, and innovative capacity to go further. "What began as an initiative to contribute to our electromobility goals ended up becoming an example of how collaboration, conviction, and a shared purpose can generate change. Today, we have a 100% electric personnel transport operation, a milestone that reflects our ability to drive a more sustainable, efficient, and future-proof mining industry," he explained.

Environmental impact and community use

The Regional Secretary of Energy for the Valparaíso Region, Celso Quezada, highlighted the importance of this initiative within the country's energy strategy, stating, “Electromobility is a key element, and that's why we are so pleased that concrete actions like this are taking place in the Valparaíso Region. Today, Codelco Ventanas has taken a very important step, sending a powerful signal to the entire business community about the direction we should be heading.”

In socio-environmental terms, the replacement of the fleet's energy matrix aligns with the requirements of the Atmospheric Decontamination Plan (PDA) for Concón, Quintero and Puchuncaví, projecting an accumulated reduction of 36,328 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), which is equivalent to the carbon captured annually by 1.6 million trees.

The network of routes includes intercity access routes that connect the industrial plant with the municipalities of La Calera, Quillota, Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, Quilpué, Villa Alemana, Quintero and Puchuncaví.

Additionally, the transport contract includes a community use component. Outside of industrial transport shifts, the vehicles will be available for union extracurricular activities, as well as for transport requests from social organizations, sports clubs, neighborhood associations, and school delegations from the municipalities of Quintero and Puchuncaví.

Codelco