National Journalism Prize 2009 and Chairman of the Journalists Association headed the Panel of Judges

The awards in both categories, whose applications are received until 15 March 2010, will be delivered by the President of the Republic and the Minister of Mines  at the opening of Expomin 2010, to be held April 12 at Espacio Riesco.

Abraham Santibáñez
National Chairman Journalists Association

For 20 years he has been professor at the School of Journalism, Faculty of Communication at the Universidad Diego Portales. Until 2009 was a member of the Board of Ethics of the Media of Chile and was part of the National Ethics and Discipline of the College of Journalists. In 2001 he was awarded with the prize Andina Bottling Company - Coca Cola, for his journalistic and academic activity. He was director of “Hoy” magazine and the newspaper La Nación. He is currently a commentator for the daily "El Sur”, Concepción city and “La Prensa Austral” from Punta Arenas. Regular contributor to various news and media on issues related to implementation of new technologies. He is a journalist who graduated from the University of Chile.

Erick Rojas
President of the Chilean Chapter of AIPEF
American Association of Economy and Finance Journalists

Finance Journalist of the Economy section of “La Segunda”. In the last decade he has worked as a journalist in finance issues in “Diario Financiero” Financial Journal, editor of Diario La Nación, Deputy Editor of the evening paper “La Voz de la Tarde” and journalist in macroeconomics for “Estrategia”. He was also voice reporter for the U.S. economy magazine Latin Trade. In the area of corporate communications, between 2005 and 2008 - was a consultant to the AFP Association, the National Chamber of Commerce, the Electronic Stock Exchange, the University of Chile, among others. Since 2007 he serves on the board of AIPEF and in mid-2009 assumed the presidency of this body that brings together about 150 journalists.

Maria Olivia Mönckeberg
National Journalism Award 2009

Professor of the University of Chile, where she heads the Investigative Reporting Unit of the Institute of Communication and Image. She was chairman of the Committee on Freedom of Expression of the Journalists Association, between 1985 and 1988. In March 1990 assumed as general editor of the newspaper La Nación, and then ran the press department of the National Radio until 1994. In 1984 she received the International Prize for Journalism Louis Lyon, awarded by the Nieman Foundation at Harvard University, while her book "El Saqueo" was nominated for Altazor in 2007. Among her best known works are "The Looting of the Chilean state economic groups," "The Empire of Opus Dei in Chile", "The privatization of universities: A history of money, power and influence" and "The business of Universities in Chile".

Andres Azocar
Director of the School of Journalism of Universidad Diego Portales
Director of the Research Center for Journalism and Advertising (CIPP)

Journalist, Bachelor of Social Communication, Universidad Diego Portales. He was editor of the magazine “Que Pasa” and supplement reports of the daily “La Tercera”. Author of "Tompkins, the Green Millionaire" and editor of the book "Que gane el más mejor" by Patricio Navia and Edward Angel. Founder and director of the Museum Press, the first online museum of Chilean journalism and Cerotinta, an aggregator of student work in journalism. For Three years, he manages the blog “Hijo del Medio” and writes on media blogs in La Tercera and Technology supplement of the same newspaper. He is a panelist on the podcast media Mediapolis and a year ago created the free newspaper for young CTRLZ.

Francisco Costabal
President of the Mining Council

Was president of Compañía Minera Cerro Colorado, Superintendent of Directors of Codelco Chile Andina Division, was also Controller, Finance Manager, Sales Manager and General Manager of the Mining Society Pudahuel. Chairman of Minera Spence SA studied at the School of Economics and Management at the Catholic University of Chile, graduating as a Commercial Engineer and Bachelor in Economics. He also has an MBA abroad, specializing in information systems.

Alberto Salas
President of National Mining Society (SONAMI)

Civil Engineer of Mines at the University of Chile, Diploma in Corporate Finance, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez. He has thirty years of experience in domestic private mining. Is mining entrepreneur, university professor, consultant, senior executive and director of mining companies. Former Vice President of the Institute of Mining Engineers of Chile, director of Empresa Nacional de Mineria (Enami) and the mining companies Quebrada, Carmen de Andacollo and Valle Central, and Foundation President of Mining Engineering, University of Chile. He currently serves as President of the National Mining Society.

Victor Carrion
President of APRIMIN

Metallurgical Engineer from the University of Concepcion, he held different operational positions in the National Copper Corporation, ended up as a member of staff advisor to the Vice President of Operations of Codelco Chile. He was Superintendent of Metallurgy of the Pilot Plant Project oxide and sulphide Cerro Verde in Arequipa, Peru. Hired in the current MOLY-COP CHILE then assumed different roles as the Development Manager for Latin America. As General Director, he was responsible for Planta de Bolas de Acero Forjado in Guadalajara, Mexico for a period of 5 years. He returned to Chile, as General Manager of MOLY-COP CHILE and Vice President for Latin America. He is currently the Chairman of the Organization GRINDING SYSTEMS MOLY-COP world leader in the production of forged steel balls for grinding minerals.