Following a rigorous independent on-site evaluation, the international organisation confirmed that the facility has successfully implemented policies and practices aligned with the highest environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards in the copper and molybdenum industry.
Unlike the initial accreditation cycle completed at the end of 2023, this new milestone represents the validation of El Teniente's operations under The Copper Mark's new RRA 3.0 Guidance. This regulatory framework substantially raises the levels of technical control, moving from general reporting to a scheme of 33 criteria and 171 specific requirements that challenge the operational management of the entire value chain.
“Obtaining The Copper Mark is both a recognition of Codelco’s socio-environmental performance and a strategic imperative for the business,” explains Pablo Contreras, Climate Action Manager at the state-owned company.
“Today, the most important international markets, including the London Metal Exchange, demand explicit guarantees of responsible production as a condition for the marketing and financing of cathodes. In this sense, these certifications ensure our competitiveness, the traceability of our copper, and the trust we build with global clients and communities,” he adds.
Continuous improvement
The external and independent audit process comprehensively evaluated the operation through on-site interviews with executives, employees, and members of the surrounding communities, among other actions. Of the 33 criteria reviewed in this version, El Teniente demonstrated full compliance in the vast majority of dimensions.
Following the logic of The Copper Mark, the report identified two specific areas for developing improvement plans, with the goal of addressing gaps and achieving full compliance. Accordingly, the division established a roadmap with concrete actions, deadlines, and institutional responsibilities, which will be audited periodically and documented by accredited external evaluators.
The Copper Mark and The Molybdenum Mark seals awarded to the El Teniente Division have an official validity of three years, extending until 2029. In parallel with the planned actions at El Teniente, the remaining seven divisions of Codelco – Andina, Ventanas, Salvador, Gabriela Mistral, Ministro Hales, Radomiro Tomic and Chuquicamata – are advancing in parallel in their own evaluation processes and on-site audits to obtain the standard, in line with the schedule defined at the corporate level for 2026.