In a joint effort to strengthen education in the region, Codelco's own employees and collaborators from the Projects and Sustainability and External Affairs departments of the El Teniente Division inaugurated improvements to classrooms at the Alberto Blest Gana School in the Dintrans neighborhood of Rancagua. This initiative is part of the copper company's Volunteer Program.

During the day, representatives of the collaborating company Soletanche Bachy delivered educational furniture (chairs, desks, shelves and plants) to the establishment. The company, which manages a contract for the Project Management of the El Teniente Division, mobilized 36 workers from operational and administrative areas to participate in this volunteer work.

Arturo Figueroa, contract administrator for Soletanche Bachy, added that “we seek to respond to one of the principles, values and commitments that our company has to exercise corporate social responsibility in a concrete way. We are driven to manage these types of initiatives and implement them effectively.”

For his part, Esteban Valencia, Project Manager for El Teniente Dams and Tailings, explained that “our team is always eager to contribute. These opportunities are very beneficial. Mainly, we want to reach out to our communities and contribute a small grain of sand. We feel a deep commitment and we are motivated by the desire to go further in our projects. We want to be present, to make a difference.”

Supporting education in the sector

At the same time, the Sustainability and External Affairs Department, in collaboration with the local company FyV Servicios Integrales, renovated the paint in four classrooms at the school, with the aim of providing a more welcoming and favorable environment for student learning.

Eduardo Pizarro, director of the Alberto Blest Gana School, said: “We are very happy with the support. This is a tremendous opportunity for improvement, since they are giving us the material resources that are so necessary today to develop classes for our students in a completely normal way. This is a tremendous contribution to their education.”

These actions arose after a diagnosis by the administrative team with representatives of the mining company, where the needs of the school were identified, which included the lack of resources to improve the infrastructure of the classrooms and the need for adequate furniture to support the education of the students.

Edna Espinoza Guerra, the school's technical director, said: “We are deeply grateful. Material resources are essential to improve our infrastructure, and this significantly strengthens our pedagogical work. This motivates the community to believe that, as a school, we have the capacity to continue advancing and improving.”

Located in the Dintrans neighborhood of Rancagua, the Alberto Blest Gana School has more than 55 years of history and an enrollment of 150 students. In recent years, it has received support from Codelco through educational programs, volunteer work, visits and infrastructure improvements, strengthening the bond with the community in the area.