After the accident that occurred on July 31 at the El Teniente at the El Teniente Division, Codelco has reinforced its mining safety, maintaining an exhaustive external evaluation of its operations, led by a group of specialists with extensive global experience.
The panel, headed by Mark Cutifani and composed of Vivianne Blanlot and Eduardo Bartolomeo, has focused its efforts on detecting systemic failures and promoting an organizational culture focused on prevention.
External evaluation and mining safety in focus
During the last few weeks, the consulting group has held interviews with executive teams from different areas of the corporation, both at divisional and corporate level. These meetings have allowed us to build a preliminary diagnosis of the technical, operational and cultural factors that affect risk control in underground sites. subway sites.
The goal of the analysis is to define recommendations applicable to all divisions of the to all divisions of the state-owned company, strengthening preventive management and decision making in the face of critical conditions.
In this context, emphasis has been placed on the need to improve driving and internal transportation protocols, key aspects in the incident that cost the lives of several workers.
Operations resumed under strict measures
At the same time, the company is maintaining the Safe and Progressive Restart Plan at El Teniente. During the last week, more than 11,000 workers have participated in the operations, of which more than 3,500 entered subway areas. The Colón and Sewell plants have resumed operations with constant monitoring and reinforced operational controls.
The SAG 1 and SAG 2 lines of the Concentrator Plant remain in operation, processing more than 90 thousand tons of ore in the same period.
Regulatory commitment and transparency
In parallel to the technical review, Codelco has responded to 60 of the 85 requests made by inspection agencies. The rest of the requested information is in process, within the established deadlines. The state-owned company has reiterated its willingness to collaborate fully with all the entities in charge of clarifying the causes of the accident.
In addition, a direct channel of support and information is maintained for the families affected by the tragedy, reaffirming the institutional position that safety is an intransgressible value.
Preliminary conclusions and next steps
The advisory group expects to deliver its first conclusions in the coming weeks. These preliminary observations will serve as a basis for implementing cross-cutting improvements in safety and operational leadership processes, with a view to ensuring higher standards at all mining operations operations.
This process represents a decisive opportunity to reformulate the preventive approach of the state-owned mining company, in line with international best practices in the extractive sector.
Source: Codelco
Photo: Shutterstock