Description:

Mental health in the Mining Industry in Chile

Mining is central for Chilean economy and we are the main copper producer in the world. Copper provides 59% of our exports and contributes 15% of our GDP.

Northern Chile concentrate the bulk of the mining activities and most of the sites are located far from the main cities and some of them are in high altitude. Workers have shift rotations of 5x2 or 7x7 days of work/days off.

The combination of isolation and long working hours are a challenge for mental health

Worker´s health and safety (H&S) in Chile is covered by a compulsory insurance, paid by the employer and managed by a public company and three private non for profit insurance companies.

Recent H&S regulations have focused on mental health of workers in the areas of management of psychosocial factors; violence and harassment in the workplace; and mental health promotion and prevention.

The Superintendence of Social Security statistics highlight the impact of mental health problems in workers in Chile. In 2024 72% of occupational disease claims were related to Mental Health.

Based on that information and in accordance with requirements from their Headquarters Health and Safety Divisions, some Mining Companies have developed mental health programs as part of their wellbeing initiatives. In this context they provide services and resources for their workers and their families in the areas of promotion, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, return to work.

Vision Zero – 7 Golden rules, a strategy developed by ISSA, has numerous tools that can help companies provide support to their workers on Wellbeing and Mental Health. Additionally, Psychological First Aid and Mental Health First Aid training and support, based on programs developed by the International Red Cross have been successfully adopted by some mining companies. These programs are described in this presentation.

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Dr. Alex Morales

Biography