“They all the time affiliate ladies with casinos or bathrooms and I say no, I drive vehicles.”

When she was 28 years previous, María Carrasco arrived at El Teniente. “You all the time hear concerning the Division and Codelco, however in my case it felt very far-off,” he admits.

And, though she has been a truck operator at Rajo Sewell for twelve years, there are occasions when María nonetheless stops to suppose. “Typically I nonetheless marvel the place I’m, how I acquired this far,” he stated.

What’s your work about?

I load ore and take it to the Sewell Crushing Plant, the place it’s processed to get copper. Within the truck we now have a display screen that signifies the place we should always go, to which loader and whether or not I ought to go to the crusher or to the tip, and that’s the place we throw waste, which is the fabric that’s of no use.

How did you get to El Teniente?

I utilized for a program referred to as Mining Lady, from SENCE, however as a jumbo operator (drilling tools). We had been the pioneers within the area and Codelco gave us the chance to use to the corporate. There have been 20 of us and 12 of us stayed.

That point I used to be searching for a job, as a result of I’ve two kids and the state of affairs was troublesome. I utilized pondering I wasn’t going to remain, I did not have a lot religion. It was 2012 and I used to be shopping for provides to make ice cream and promote them at my home, after they referred to as to inform me that they had organized to fulfill and reveal the subsequent day. I could not consider it, I used to be pleased.

Earlier than that I labored in a packing home, as a fruit sorter. So once I acquired right here it was all new. I like what I do, I get on the truck and overlook about all the things, I am pleased right here. My truck is like my world, I like it.

What does it imply to you to be a lady in mining?
Typically they ask me the place I work and I say “up there” and so they reply “oh within the kitchen, within the casinos.” Girls are all the time assimilated to prepare dinner or clear and I say no, I drive vehicles.

Regardless of the years I have been right here, it nonetheless occurs to me that I typically cease and suppose, the place am I? How did I get this far? I consider it’s potential with persistence and I train my kids the identical. That is why I additionally say to ladies, for those who get the prospect, benefit from it. In the event that they should do it 100 occasions, allow them to do it, allow them to combat, as a result of you’ll be able to and may by no means cease dreaming.

What have your kids informed you after they noticed their mining mom?

I’ve defined my job to them, I even taught the elder concerning the truck. They’re very pleased, they inform their classmates that I’m right here, they present photos, I additionally make movies for them to see. They’re very pleased. As soon as my brothers even got here to see what I used to be doing and liked it.

What do you’re feeling El Teniente has given to your life?

My life modified, as a result of I’ve been capable of elevate my kids and my objective is for them to be professionals. I reside with my mother and father, who’re aged and I’ve additionally been capable of assist them.

What security message would you ship to your colleagues?

I’ve all the time stated, for those who do not feel succesful, do not do one thing. When you see a colleague doing one thing improper, inform them. As a result of they’re ready for everybody in the home and it might be horrible if somebody did not come again someday. So, for those who do not feel succesful, do not danger it, there aren’t any superheroes right here and we now have to fend for ourselves. It’s important to know tips on how to elevate your hand and say I can not, as a result of nobody goes to evaluate you, quite the opposite.

What does it imply to you to work for a corporation like Codelco, which presents its surpluses to all Chileans?

I really feel proud. Typically even the youngsters right here say “now, let’s go to work, we now have to assist construct a college” and that is good, to be a contribution to the nation, to the individuals and hopefully we are able to proceed to do it for a very long time. to come back