Codelco was recognized on April 24 with the “Innovative Transaction of the Year 2025” award by consulting firm EY-Parthenon, following its strategic alliance with I-Pulse, a company specializing in high-power pulsed energy technologies.
The award highlights Codelco’s move to advance more efficient and sustainable mining practices. The transaction, finalized during LME Week in London last October, included Codelco acquiring an equity stake in I-Pulse. This agreement provides Codelco preferential access to implement new technology within its operations.
Máximo Pacheco, chairman of the board at Codelco, said that this collaboration will change key processes such as crushing and grinding—activities responsible for up to half of mining’s energy consumption—by reducing energy use by as much as 80 percent. He also noted that it would decrease reliance on explosives and minimize damage to surrounding rock, leading to lower costs and reduced environmental impact.
“At Codelco we have learned that major challenges are not solved solely through operational efficiency, but also through new technology and partners who think differently. I-Pulse thinks differently,” Pacheco said upon receiving the award.
With this recognition from EY-Parthenon, Codelco aims to reinforce its commitment to technological innovation as it addresses increasingly complex mining challenges.
