Anglo and Xstrata take actions in Collahuasi in order to implement optimization plan
26-June-2012 Diario Financiero – News
Executive President to undertake new position in Anglo starting in July
Anglo and Xstrata take actions in Collahuasi in order to implement optimization plan
Companies are business partners in the mining company and are attempting to increase production and improve safety area
Compañía Minera Doña Inés de Collahuasi is commencing a new stage. Together with the company Executive President leaving and the arrival of their two main controlling companies – Anglo American and Xstrata Copper (Both holding 44% of property) – to head the administration of the company, they have announced the execution of what has been called an “optimization” process aimed at improving operational and safety areas of the company.
Yesterday the mining company has reported that Giancarlo Bruno resigned his position as Executive President of the company to undertake new responsibilities in Anglo American Chile starting July 3.
Bruno will assume the position of Operations VP for Mantos Blancos and Mantoverde Divisions located in 2nd and 3rd Regions respectively. This is his return to Anglo as before working for Collahuasi he performed as General Manager for Mantos Blancos and El Soldado.
On the other hand, Collahuasi has started the process to recruit a new executive to lead the company. In the meantime, Miguel Angel Durán, Executive President of Anglo American Chile and Roberto Darouiche, Executive VP of Joint-Venture Division of Xstrata Copper will share the leading position in the mining company for three months.
Optimization process
Besides, Durán and Darouchi will also have the assignment to start an “optimization” process inside Collahuasi that is mainly focused on improving operational area of the company.
In 2011 production in Doña Inés de Collahuasi dropped 10% while their copper export shipments decreased 47%. On the other side, total unit copper costs indexes increased 26.3% last year and productivity lessened 17.5%, as reported in Cochilco annual report figures.
However, that is not all, executive officers will be also endeavoring to improve safety matters inside Collahuasi. This is a very sensitive issue inside the company as last May 26 a worker was killed while performing drilling works in the mine. At the beginning of the same month another worker died from electric shock.
Although the time Durán and Darouichi have is three months, there may be a possibility for the period to extend. Doña Inés de Collahuasi mine is located at 4,400 m.a.s.l. at the high plain lands in the 1st Region of Tarapacá. Almost 25% of copper produced by the mine is delivered to Chinese market.
