Expected impacts

• Decrease shipments of waste to landfills.
• Create social value and solutions with communities.
• Improve the environmental footprint of processes.

Proposed solutions

• Address and characterize waste at the corporate level.
• Establish an online monitoring system - with dashboard.
• Incorporate circular models into contracts for goods and services.
• Standardize waste management.

• Conduct benchmark comparisons regarding practice performance across divisions.

• Incorporate recycling incentives into waste management contracts.

Progress

PARTICIPATION IN THE CESCO SOFOFAHUB CIRCULAR ECONOMY COMMITTEE

The Committee of Circular Economy for Mining seeks to generate a space for articulation between companies interested in promoting important subject matter from this sector. Together with Codelco, this committee is made up of representatives from Anglo American, Antofagasta Minerals, Collahuasi, Corporación Alta Ley, Glencore, Teck, and the Ministry of Mining. 

CORPORATE CIRCULAR ECONOMY STRATEGY

Thee circular economy strategy aims to maintain the value of products, materials, and resources for as long as possible, while minimizing waste generation. Its four pillars are: measuring, making sustainable purchases, adding value and recycling. These focal points prioritize actions and initiatives that do not produce waste (i.e., avoiding buying products with high waste generation or privileging elements with a longer life, while recycling waste only when there are no alternatives). 

RECYCLING AND RECOVERY OF WASTE

Codelco recycles and upcycles a series of wastes from its operational areas such as wood, steel, plastics, high-density polyethene, rubbers, etc.

RECOVERY OF GRINDER BALLS

This initiative seeks to reincorporate the grinder balls decommissioned in the mills into the production process, with significant steel savings for the Corporation.

REMANUFACTURE OF EXTRACTION TRUCKS

To develop more efficient, sustainable, and lower-cost mining, Codelco implemented an overhaul or reconditioning program for extraction trucks that operated a few years ago on sites such as Chuquicamata and Radomiro Tomic, reusing this equipment on the Rajo Inca project of the Salvador Division. The vehicles are completely dismantled and disassembled for the subsequent repair of any damaged structures and incorporation of modern technology.  This has saved Codelco US$2.5 million per truck - thanks to developing a circular economy with regional companies