Teamwork beyond the mine: Kevin’s electrifying career at Lomas Bayas

When he was younger, Kevin considered following in his father’s footsteps and joining the Air Force. But his plans changed while he was still studying electronics at technical school and his class visited Glencore’s Lomas Bayas, an open-pit copper mine located in northern Chile.

“I remember it being an eye-opening visit”, he explains. “They taught us about the risks of electricity – that it cannot be seen, it can only be felt – and I realised I find electricity fascinating.”

Soon after his visit, Kevin saw an opportunity to join Lomas Bayas as an apprentice. Today he works as an Electrical Supervisor.

Kevin’s team is responsible for maintaining equipment used to crush copper ore as part of the copper production process at Lomas Bayas. Each day on site starts with a meeting with his colleagues to identify priorities and assign tasks that need to be completed to help ensure that the electrical components of these machines are working correctly.

“Electricity is vital for copper production. Without the work of my team, Lomas Bayas could experience power outages. Our equipment could stop working and this would impact the volumes of copper that our mine produces.”

Copper is a versatile metal – it can be used in a variety of electronic products, as well as renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles. As an alloy, it also resists heat and corrosion making it well suited for fresh water supply lines and plumbing fittings.

Safety is critical to Kevin’s work and one of Glencore’s core Values. “As a supervisor, it is my responsibility to make sure that each member of my team returns home safely to their family,” he explains.

Over the years, working on seven-day rotating shifts and away from home means Kevin has formed strong bonds with his colleagues. “The friendships I’ve made at work continue after my shift,” he explains. “They’re not just friends, they’re family to me.”

Kevin and his colleagues are part of a football team named the Electric Shocks. Their biggest rivals are the Mechanics, another Lomas Bayas team.

“I’m no Messi, but I like football a lot – it’s like a universal language,” Kevin says. “Playing together helps us get to know each other better, and this brings us closer together on the pitch and at work.”

Looking forward, Kevin is excited about the work underway at Lomas Bayas to increase copper production. He’s also confident about the football fortunes of the Electric Shocks. “The Mechanics might run faster than us, but we have a lot of heart,” he explains.