More than 50 second and third year students from the Rancagua Girls' High School participated in a vocational talk organized by the Mining Resources and Development Department of Codelco El Teniente. This initiative seeks to motivate students to explore opportunities in mining and bring them closer to the context of the mining industry.

Mauricio Aguerrebere, director of the educational establishment, said that “these talks are very relevant, because since our beginnings, we are a community that is focused on the promotion of women. In this context, sharing experiences of female professionals is absolutely relevant. We hope that it will be an inspiration. We appreciate the visit and the possibility that this will continue to happen.”

This action is part of the El Teniente Volunteer Program, which has mobilized more than 2,000 volunteers in more than 70 activities carried out in communities such as Rancagua, Olivar, Coltauco, Alhué, Doñihue and Las Cabras. Of these actions, 18 were focused on strengthening ties with educational establishments in the region.

Viviana Pavéz, Superintendent of Production Management at El Teniente, explained that “as a woman, I feel even more committed to inspiring more women and girls. We wanted to motivate them to connect with the mining processes, so that they want to be part of this industry.”

Meanwhile, Carlos Vásquez, Community Development Supervisor, stressed that "it is important to have the opportunity to talk with students from this historic high school, which houses 586 students from the Region. We believe that education and the promotion of human capital are fundamental pillars for generating social value."

“An empowering experience”

During the day, the students learned about the context of El Teniente, the different operational processes, the functions of the different areas and the sustainability goals. They also discovered the importance of diversity and inclusion in meeting the copper company's corporate objectives.

Saray Candia, a student from 2°B, said that “they made us feel part of it and made us feel that we could have a future in this place. I am a person close to mining, I would love to be part of Codelco.”

For her part, Reycher Mayorquin, a student from 3°D, celebrated that “the experience was very empowering, the process is impressive and so is the number of people who participate. I would tell other girls to go for it and that women are capable of being part of it.”