By Neville Judd
Companies like Codelco are staying ahead of the mining safety curve by deploying technology that’s proven to protect people and equipment.
According to the latest Lloyd’s Register Foundation World Risk Poll Report, 21% of people in mining and quarrying occupations have experienced harm at work in the last two years, third only to fishing and construction. Yet, as Codelco’s experience at its Chuquicamata mine in northern Chile illustrates, investing in safety need not be at the expense of productivity.
In a series of interviews conducted by Hexagon with Codelco employees at Chuquicamata, the effectiveness of collision avoidance technology combined with change management methodology is evident.
“Technology has undoubtedly been a fundamental ally,” says Pablo Vera Giglio, Open Pit Mine Manager, Chuquicamata.
“There are controls that we can carry out today using technology, for example, to prevent interaction events between larger and smaller vehicles. And today, technology supports us, alerts us and enables behaviour management with the operators and individuals interacting in various activities and operational processes in mining.”
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Codelco uses Hexagon Collision Avoidance System (CAS) at Chuquicamata, one of the largest open-pit copper mines and the second deepest open-pit mine in the world. The mine, which has been operating since 1910, forms part of the Codelco Norte division, which includes the Radomiro Tomic (RT) mine.
CAS is the industry’s leading collision avoidance solution for protecting drivers and equipment, providing 360-degree NLOS (non-line-of-sight propagation) operator awareness for vehicles, assets and operators – through snow, rain, fog and dust. More than 65,000 systems are deployed in more than 100 open-pit and underground mine sites worldwide, the largest global install base on the market.
“My experience using advanced technology helps me carry out high-risk key activities in the mining process and I feel safe with this system installed in my haul truck,” says Chuquicamata operator, Karina Leiva.
Pedro Cortes, Risk Prevention Analyst, Chuquicamata agrees: “By using new technologies such as the CAS Collision Avoidance System, we can guarantee the safety and well-being of all our operators.”
CAS aligns with the company’s first priority, says Giglio. “People are always the main focus at Codelco.
“For this reason, the most important aspect of our operations is their safety; doing so with excellence, environmental care, and engaging with local communities. Looking to the future, our commitment to safety is supported by the use of new technologies.”
At Expomin 2025, April 22-25 in Santiago, join us at Booth 1-A50 to learn more about how Hexagon is helping companies like Codelco to prioritise safety without compromising productivity.
Throughout 2025 we’ll be blogging about the challenges facing the mining industry. Drawing upon insights from thought leaders in our customer community and from within Hexagon, we’ll share how trusted partnerships and proven technology are addressing those challenges, helping to improve safety and cut costs while balancing the demands of productivity and sustainability.