The delegation, composed of 50 representatives, including InvestChile, learned about the company’s extraction technology for critical minerals such as Dysprosium and Terbium, essential for the continent’s electromobility.

The combined company will be headquartered in Vancouver, with its shares listed in London. In Chile, it will merge the Collahuasi and Quebrada Blanca operations.

Although better known for copper, Chile is the world’s 21^st largest producer of gold, representing 1.2% of global output. Its production of the metal has grown 20% since 2021, positioning the country as an increasingly attractive destination for gold exploration and investment.

The National Lithium and Salt Flats Institute (Instituto Nacional de Litio y Salares, INLiSa) has launched an international call to co-design its new pilot platform. This unique platform will allow users to validate their technologies using real brines, under standards of traceability, technical rigor and environmental protection.

The Canadian mining company is advancing a comprehensive exploration strategy to develop early-stage exploration targets into economically viable deposits in Chile.

Over 40% of mining in Chile is now managed through Integrated Operations Centers (IOCs), transforming the sector with new job profiles, higher productivity, and opportunities for foreign companies in technology and specialized services.

Over the past decade, the presence of women in large-scale mining companies has tripled, reaching 21.8% in the first half of 2024, a figure that remained stable in the second half of the year with a total of 11,239 female employees.

The plant, located in the La Negra industrial zone of Antofagasta, has a surface area of 7,725 m2 and the capacity to process 2,200 giant 63-inch tires per year.

The project, located in northern Chile, involves an investment of US$235 million, and production is expected to be initiated in January 2026.

With global lithium demand projected to increase by over 40 times by 2040, Chile is positioned as a leader in the transition toward cleaner and more innovative transportation. 

Aiming to prolong the usability of the Spence mine, the initiative will adapt the current leaching operation to extend its useful life until 2039.

The new areas in which lithium exploration and extraction projects can be developed are located in the Tarapacá and Antofagasta regions.  

The “Investment in Chilean Mining: Project Portfolio 2024-2033” Report by COCHILCO revealed a 26.5% increase relative to the previous period.  

The agreement will promote competitive and environmentally responsible mining, minimizing its carbon footprint through electrification.

Of the total number of requests for information, 53 were for 16 salt flats or saline lakes, while another 28 were for other types of deposits. Additionally, seven requests were for salt flats or areas excluded from this process.

Mining Minister Aurora Williams highlighted the collaborative work between the ministries of Economy, Treasury and Foreign Affairs, and institutions such as the Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO) and InvestChile, “to promote the process in a transparent manner” both in Chile and abroad.

The French company explains that its presence «provides geographical diversification to the Chilean lithium industry, whose current stakeholders only have links with the United States and China.»

Treasury Minister Mario Marcel assured that it is necessary to increase production so that it remains profitable and attractive to manufacture lithium batteries.

The government announced the deadlines for submitting proposals to develop one or more projects. The results of this process will be announced in July.

The National Mining Company of Chile has initiated a Request for Information (RFI) aimed at companies and consortia working on new technological processes for lithium extraction.