Submitted by Comunicação DRI on Tue, 06/09/2026 - 23:26
Arquivo pessoal
Article produced by Karla Rezende and published on UFOP's official website.
Students from the Mines Engineering Program represented UFOP at the XXIV Mines Engineering Symposium (Simin) at the University of Santiago, Chile (USACH). Four oral presentations were given focusing on underground mining, sustainability and innovation.
In addition to participating in the symposium, the group visited the Hexagon office, where they had the opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge of the technological solutions the company develops for the mining sector. Afterwards, they proceeded to Calama to visit the Chuquicamata Mine, the largest copper mine in terms of cumulative production, also exploring the first underground level currently under development.
Another stop included the Integrated Mining Operations Center at El Teniente Mine, in Rancagua, the world’s largest underground copper mine, where the students learned about the monitoring and control systems that integrate its operations. Finally, they visited USACH’s Ventilation and Rock Mechanics Laboratories, guided by Professor Juan Pablo Hurtado, strengthening technical and academic exchange between the institutions.
Author of the study “Selección de Ventiladores to Minería Subterránea: Un Estudio Técnico-Económico,” student Allan Ferraz highlighted the importance of the visit to his undergraduate education. “The mines we visited impressed me because of the high level of applied technology. Participating in the symposium was also extremely enriching: I presented my work in a second language, received feedback from professionals from different countries, gained firsthand insight into the current mining landscape in Chile, and had the opportunity to interact with students and experience a different culture,” he said.
Student María Clara Barboza was also featured in an article published by the Santiago-based B2B Media Group on the Minería Chilena portal for her work “Electrificación de Flotas en la Minería Subterránea: Optimización del Sistema de Ventilación y Análisis de Viabilidad.” She described the trip as a major step in her academic and professional journey. “Networking with professionals, researchers, and students broadened my perspective on the role of Mining Engineering in a constantly evolving global landscape,” she explained.
To make the visit to Chile possible, the group carried out several fundraising initiatives. Professor Rita Pedrosa emphasized the importance of this experience as both an academic and personal achievement for herself and the students, noting that the visits contributed to a broader and more practical understanding of modern mining by combining learning, knowledge exchange, and international experience.
Two additional studies were also presented: “Métodos de Explotación Aplicados a Depósitos Pegmatíticos con Litio,” by student Lívia Mateus, and “Histórico y Perspectivas de la Minería de Litio en Brasil,” by Professor Rita.
