Inspiring future mining professionals through hands-on learning

Jun 17, 2026

Bringing mining education to life through practical learning tools, long-term partnerships, and real-world industry engagement for students in Peru.

Key Facts

Molycop donated a scale model grinding mill to Universidad Católica de Santa María (UCSM) in Arequipa, Peru.
The initiative is part of a program running for more than 16 years across schools in the Arequipa region.
The program is funded by Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde and delivered in partnership with UCSM.

Earlier this year, Molycop continued its longstanding collaboration with Universidad Católica de Santa María (UCSM) and Sociedad Minera Cerro Verde, supporting practical mining education for students in Peru.

Supporting hands-on learning in mining education

For many students, understanding the mining process can be challenging when it is taught solely through textbooks and classroom lessons. Through this partnership, Molycop is helping bring these concepts to life.
On June 12, Molycop donated a scale model grinding mill to UCSM in Arequipa, providing students with a practical and interactive tool to better understand the mineral processing stage of the mining value chain.

A long-standing educational program

This contribution supports the Vive Cerro Verde initiative, an educational program implemented by Cerro Verde in Arequipa schools since 2012. Over the years, the program has introduced thousands of students to key topics such as environmental care, social responsibility, and the mining value chain through curriculum-aligned learning experiences.

Molycop joined the initiative more recently, following PERUMIN, when Cerro Verde’s communications superintendent saw Molycop’s scale model and invited the company to contribute a similar educational resource. Through this collaboration, Molycop is proud to complement existing activities by offering a more practical and accessible understanding of mineral processing for secondary students.

Connecting theory with real-world application

The grinding mill model will support learning for fifth-year secondary students as they study the mining production process. By demonstrating how grinding mills operate within a mineral processing circuit, the model offers a hands-on learning experience that helps students connect classroom theory with real-world applications.

Strengthening partnerships in education and industry

The donation ceremony brought together representatives from academia and industry, reinforcing a shared commitment to creating opportunities for future generations.

Perspective from Molycop

Reflecting on the initiative, Javier Castro, General Manager of Molycop's operations in Peru, said:

Education plays a critical role in shaping the future of our industry. By providing practical learning tools such as this grinding mill model, we are proud to contribute to initiatives like Vive Cerro Verde, supporting education in Arequipa while helping students better understand the mining process and inspiring the next generation of engineers, metallurgists and mining professionals.

Inspiring future opportunities in mining

While the model itself may be small, its impact could be significant. By helping students visualise and better understand the mining process, the initiative encourages curiosity, supports learning and provides valuable insight into the careers and opportunities available within the mining industry.

A continued commitment to education

At Molycop, we believe that investing in education is an investment in the future. Through contributions like this, we are proud to support established programs such as Vive Cerro Verde while helping develop the knowledge, skills and talent that will drive the mining industry forward.