On Thursday, students from 3rd Grade Secondary A visited the historic Huachipato Steel Plant, accompanied by their teacher Ms. Iowanna Maltés. The tour offered students a close look at one of the region’s most iconic industrial spaces during a time of major transformation.
Huachipato, once a major pillar of Chile’s steel production, shut down its operations in October 2024 due to external factors, including the drop in global steel prices and the impact of international competition. During the visit, students toured key areas across the plant’s 440 hectares, including: the central dining hall, the company’s protected wetlands, the coke plant, the blast furnace and surrounding steelmaking areas.
Today, the company is undergoing a renewal process known as “Huachipato 2.0.” During the visit, the group was welcomed by Silvana Villaseñor, Deputy Manager of People and Culture, who shared the human side of this transition:
“Suspending operations was difficult. More than 1,100 direct workers and many contractor employees were affected. But through our labour reconversion plan, over 50% of them are now working again.”
She also highlighted the new areas the company is exploring, such as biodiversity initiatives, industrial research, and port logistics, as part of its efforts to remain active in the region.
Students toured key areas of the plant guided by Carlos Toro Sánchez, Administrative Coordinator of People Management, who explained the magnitude of Huachipato’s legacy:
“Before the shutdown, nearly 7,000 people worked here. The plant stretches from San Vicente to Lenga — it’s enormous.”
The wetlands were a particularly striking part of the visit — an ecosystem of over 40 hectares preserved within the industrial grounds. As environmental leader Mario Ramírez noted during a conversation:
“It’s a unique case. These wetlands coexist with industrial activity, and years of monitoring show that both can live side by side without harming the ecosystem.”
For many students, walking through silent facilities where thousands once worked was both moving and impactful. The visit allowed them to reflect on the economic, social, and human dimensions of industrial change in the region.
As part of the English Immersion Plan, we were invited to document this experience, strengthening the connection between communication, territory, and meaningful learning.
We thank the Huachipato team, especially Silvana Villaseñor, Carlos Toro Sánchez, and Mario Ramírez, for opening their doors and sharing their knowledge.
