Chile mining leaders call for unity, sustainability

Chile’s mining industry has been less affected by the country's ongoing crisis, but sector leaders called for unity to face the challenges ahead.

“We used to be proud of a country that we saw as stable, with solid institutions and high development levels, but now we need urgent measures to face the institutional challenge,” the director of mining providers association Aprimin, Sergio Hernández, said during an event in Santiago.

Hernández urged the industry to create an economic model based on social and environmental subjects. “Our companies are now environmentally conscious, but sustainability also includes economic and social aspects,” he said.

During the event, mining minister Baldo Prokurica also emphasized that the local mining industry must contribute more to improve the economy.

Over the last two months, Prokurica has met ambassadors from Canada, the UK and Australia to assure them of Chile's commitment to foreign investors.

At the end of 2019, national mining association Sonami forecast a mining growth of 1% with 5.8Mt of copper production this year, while state copper commission Cochilco expects US$72.1bn of investments in 44 projects and expansions by 2028.