Wedoany.com Report on Feb 7th, A technical delegation of ten supervisors from various departments of Codelco's Chuquicamata Division recently visited the Angamos Port in Mejillones, aiming to strengthen the connection between operational production and logistics. As one of the main ports in northern Chile, Angamos Port is a crucial hub for copper exports. The visit focused on the role of the International Logistics Department in overseeing the correct shipment of copper products to international markets.
During the visit, participants gained a detailed understanding of how the International Logistics Department ensures legal compliance and meets commitment standards regarding quantity, timing, and quality for end customers. This activity was designed as a bridge connecting mine-plant operations with maritime-port operations to enhance coordination efficiency across the entire supply chain. Ángela Madrid, Labor Inspection Supervisor at the Chuquicamata Division, stated: "This visit to Angamos Port had the strategic objective of connecting the user departments of the Division with the final port destination, so that we get to know each other's different units and work in a strategic and collaborative manner. Many people were unfamiliar with this area before, so it was an excellent opportunity to understand how the port operates."
From a management perspective, Gonzalo Copán, Director of Strategy and Management Control at the Chuquicamata Division, emphasized the importance of understanding the final stage of the production process: "This is a very critical phase because it allows us to understand the challenges faced in this field and how we can collaborate from our respective functions to maximize global results for Chuquicamata, not just local ones." The visit, dubbed "Port 101," was conceived as a training and integration platform. Jorge Rodríguez, Chief Engineer of the International Logistics Department, noted: "This activity allows us to connect the production world with the maritime-port world. We are responsible for loading and exporting products to different ports worldwide while maintaining the quality of Codelco's products and complying with all legal export requirements."
Rodríguez added that this activity integrated operational and maritime perspectives, identified improvement opportunities, and moved towards more integrated logistics. In this regard, Camila Albornoz, Manager of the Extraction and Leaching Department at Chuquicamata, highlighted the customer-centric approach: "The purpose of this visit was to connect us with the complete copper value chain, ensure product quality, and understand all stages to maximize benefits for the end customer." Albornoz further stated that this experience provided a reference for seeking synergies in key areas: "It was a very positive and important experience that helps seek synergies in safety, traceability, and operational challenges." This aligns with a continuous improvement perspective from operations to shipment.
This activity is seen as an initial step towards strengthening collaborative work between the various departments of the Division and the logistics-port team. Through this initiative, Codelco and its Chuquicamata Division reaffirm their focus on achieving integrated, efficient, and operationally excellent management throughout the copper value chain, extending from the production stage to the international shipping process.
