Those present at the virtual activity enjoyed the glorious anthem of the School of Mines, created in 1962, and, despite the fact that we are in a pandemic, the tradition of ringing the bell was continued, through a video.

The former La Serena School of Mines commemorated its 134 years of life, since mining education began in 1887 thanks to Carlos Lambert and Ignacio Domeyko. And to celebrate this anniversary, the Department of Mining Engineering, belonging to the ULS Faculty of Engineering, organized the traditional bell-ringing ceremony.

On the occasion, Dr. Eng. Alberto Cortes, Director of the Department of Mining Engineering - a unit that fundamentally contributes to the professional training of the careers of Civil Mining Engineering, Civil Environmental Engineering, Mining Execution Engineer and Engineering of Mines, presented a chronology from the beginning of the teaching of mining in the city of La Serena, which starts 50 years before the date being celebrated, and referred to the importance of mining for the economy and development of the country, the change that comes with new regulations resulting from the social outbreak, pandemic, new Constitution and presidential election, “which is forcing post-pandemic mining to migrate from traditional mining to knowledge mining 4.0.”

Furthermore, the Director of the Mining Engineering Department, in relation to industry 4.0, highlighted that “this process is characterized by having automated, teleoperated equipment, carrying out robotic processes and integrated control systems, which will result in greater safety. , health and productivity, incorporating sustainability in the economic, social and environmental areas as an economic model.”

The Rector of the University of La Serena, Dr. Nibaldo Avilés, was present at the activity, who addressed those present, stating that “as a University, we know that it was in the Former School of Mines of La Serena from where valuable teachings were rescued. , originally promoted by the Polish scholar Ignacio Domeyko, who established innovative pedagogical traditions for the time, which constituted an important boost for the then nascent mining industry in Chile and also forged a tradition in the teaching of mining in our Institution. This innovative approach of Domeyko is the inspiring axis of the work that has marked our development as ULS, which has known how to collect the past that gives us prestige and build the present from that wisdom that distinguishes us, preparing professionals who have integrated with success and leadership to Chilean and foreign companies and institutions.”

For his part, Dr. Ing. Mauricio Godoy, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, referred to this traditional celebration, stating that “we are proud of this great legacy and we are continuers of the path of knowledge, entrepreneurship and innovation that they left us. Ignacio Domeyko and Carlos Lambert. We send a special recognition and a fraternal hug to our entire mining community, students, academics, officials, as well as our graduates.”

The authorities of the University of La Serena, academics, officials and students of the university were present at the activity. In addition, Emilio Lazo, Regional Ministerial Secretary of Mining, Coquimbo Region, was present.

During the anniversary ceremony, the members of the administrative and academic body of the Department of Mining Engineering were also announced, and at its closing, as is tradition, the bell ceremony was held, remembering the glorious School of Mines of La Serena, with the School's emotional anthem, created in 1962. Given the pandemic, the community was invited to watch a video, listening to the ringing of the bell, and the event ended with the traditional motto: “Minerito , miners, there is no case with the miners.”

During the afternoon, various talks were held to commemorate this new anniversary.

Written by María José Barraza, FIULS 2030