Teck’s Amparo Cornejo named TNM’s first Operator of the Year

Amparo Cornejo, chief sustainability officer at Teck Resources (TSX: TECK.A, TECK.B; NYSE: TECK), has been named The Northern Miner’s first Operator of the Year. The honour, which will be awarded at the International Metals Symposium in London Dec. 1-2, is co-presented by professional services firm EY.

Cornejo, who first joined Teck in 2014 as director of social responsibility and corporate affairs, and was vice-president, South America for a year before being named CSO in September, has helped guide the company’s global strategy for sustainability. And she ensured that Teck’s Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 (QB2) copper operation in Chile – a key project for the miner that produced first concentrate in March last year – was developed using a sustainable mining model.

QB2 will add 300,000 tonnes of copper annually to global markets while conserving water resources in Chile’s Atacama Desert. As QB2 construction ramped up from 2019, Cornejo oversaw building the desalination plant, laying water pipelines, and digging a port during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Her proactive agreements with 22 Indigenous groups helped ensure zero social stoppages during the pandemic, keeping construction of the project – last pegged at $8.6-$8.8 billion – on track. 

Cornejo implemented governance and standards in areas such as community and Indigenous affairs, environment, and permitting and set a high bar for operational excellence not just at QB2, which has an initial mine life of 27 years, but across Teck’s operations. Every Teck decision now has sustainability engrained, Cornejo says.

“I’m motivated by the power of sustainability to transform mining,” Cornejo told The Northern Miner in an email exchange. “It’s not just about risk management, it’s about legitimizing our industry and ensuring we leave a positive legacy.”

Cornejo, who’s based in Santiago, and earned a political science degree at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, notes that sustainability is a strategic imperative – not just a concept.

“At Teck, we saw early on that sustainable practices aren’t just the right thing to do. They’re critical for long-term business viability.”

Cornejo was this year also named as Executive of the Year in Chile by EY and El Mercurio.

Nature positive

Cornejo sees sustainability as both a challenge and an opportunity for the industry.

“Today, the biggest risks in mining aren’t technical—they’re environmental and social,” she said. “Future leaders need to balance operational goals with a deep commitment to environmental responsibility.” 

As Teck pushes towards becoming ‘nature positive’ by 2030, Cornejo remains the face of policy progress. Teck’s ‘nature positive’ vision aims to help ecosystems in which it operates flourish while securing the company’s long-term viability.

“Sustainability is about leaving a legacy,” Cornejo said. “It’s about ensuring that our industry contributes positively to society and the environment.”

Mentor or mentee?

Nearly 30% of QB2’s workforce is female, a figure well above industry standards, thanks to Teck’s emphasis on diversity and inclusion.

Under Cornejo’s guidance, Teck launched the Originarias program with UN Women, which has helped over 3,000 Indigenous women in northern Chile gain professional skills while preserving their cultural heritage.

Throughout Cornejo’s career, she’s worked with many mentors, shaping her approach to leadership and sustainability. Rather than being influenced by one mentor, it’s been a combination of experiences and people that have left a lasting impact.

In her current role as the ambassador for the International Day of Women in Mining, held on June 15, she leads a network trying to make a difference.

“What makes this experience special is that I often find myself questioning whether I’m a mentor or a mentee,” she said. “In truth, I feel like both, and that reflects my belief that leadership is about constant learning.”

Impact beyond Teck

Beyond QB2, Cornejo shapes sustainability initiatives across Latin America.

As Teck’s senior liaison for government and community affairs in the region, she works to align corporate goals with local concerns, a balancing act that she handles through open communication and a commitment to responsible mining.

“Governments and communities recognize Teck as a positive influence in the region,” she says, citing its conservation efforts as a critical element of trust-building.

Her leadership extends to her active involvement in industry organizations such as the National Mining Society (SONAMI) and with Chile’s Mining Council. Cornejo believes these platforms are critical for promoting sustainable regional mining practices.

“These organizations will be key drivers in raising the bar for sustainability in mining,” she says.