Chilean Mining Organization Looks to Boost Public Acceptance

Q: What is the main role of the Mining Foundation of Chile?  
A: We are an institution within the mining ecosystem with the goal of promoting knowledge about mining in Chilean society. We strive to integrate the sector into the hearts of Chileans, as it is our national industry. Our national experience has led to the establishment of similar institutions in other countries, all aiming to promote a positive understanding of mining among the public. This effort also seeks to cultivate the necessary human capital for project development, and to foster social acceptance of investment projects in the territories where miners operate.

Q: How has the foundation contributed to fostering a better understanding of the mining sector within Chilean society?  
A: Our institution has developed significant communication campaigns and projects aimed at highlighting and achieving the foundation's objectives. For example, we launched an ad and infographic campaign, called The Mining Train, that reached 2.7 million people. Our country is a mining nation, and the public values mining as a significant contributor to economic development. The foundation’s work is geared toward creating awareness among the public that mining is also an important part of their daily lives. Mining is essential for human development, especially when talking about electromobility and green energy, which will be crucial in addressing climate change.

Q: What communication strategies and partnerships have been pivotal in disseminating mining-related information? 
A: Chile does not only export minerals but also mining. This means we export knowledge, know-how, and all the work developed in mineral exploitation and other areas. As a result, other countries have emulated the different initiatives of the Mining Foundation of Chile’s mining model. Among the countries that have replicated our model are Argentina’s Mining Foundation, the Peruvian Mining Foundation, and the Social Mining Foundation in Ecuador. There are also similar initiatives in Colombia.

During my recent visit to Mexico, I was able to establish an alliance and begin conversations with Mexico Minero, a nonprofit organization that also seeks to communicate the importance of mining to the public. It is important to create these alliances because issues that impact mining in different regions affect other local realities. Therefore, it is beneficial to coordinate this type of work to develop Latin American strategies to promote mining education among people. 

Q: What forms of engagement has the foundation undertaken with primary mining associations in Mexico? 
A: I was very pleased to visit Mexico, even though it was during a challenging time, particularly with the impact of Hurricane Otis. The XXXV International Mining Convention’s organizers invited me to speak at the conference, which unfortunately could not take place due to the hurricane. Nevertheless, I engaged in alliance activities and conversations with CAMIMEX, Women in Mining Mexico (WIM), and various mining companies. We aimed to forge alliances and we encouraged Mexico to join our initiative. We hope that in 2025 this collaboration will come to fruition and we can work together – and with different countries as well. 

My participation in forums extends beyond Latin America to include North America, Europe, and Asia. Recently, I attended the PDAC 2024 convention where I was nominated as Ambassador of the Net-Zero Circle. I am very motivated to visit other countries to discuss the importance of mining for climate change because, without mining, electromobility and green energies are not possible.

Q: Why does the sector need to build bridges between mining players and the government? 
A: It is crucial for all relevant actors, both public and private, to work together to advance investment projects. Mining is not just important for developing clean mobility and green energy,  it is also vital for economic growth. While there are sustainable ways to mine, it is essential to develop projects to address countries' social needs. We cannot afford to leave minerals untouched underground. Today, the planet demands more minerals for production, construction, green energy, and electromobility. We need to find ways to develop projects, while ensuring governments understand the importance of mining. This will also allow us to address social needs and overcome poverty in Latin America.

Q: What are the key ESG priorities in Chile? 
A: We have been heavily focused on measuring water resources in the mining sector. Currently, 78% of water used in mining comes from reused and reprocessed sources. The sector is also moving toward using water from desalination plants.

Community development and local engagement are also key aspects for us. We have initiated local procurement programs in project locations, and through new regulations, the taxes on mining projects are now mandated to benefit the regions where the main mining operations are located. Several mining companies are also seeking accreditation from The Copper Mark to promote the development of green copper in response to growing global demand, especially in the European Union. Chile is proud to share its experiences and knowledge with the mining world, showcasing steps taken and challenges overcome toward a more sustainable and environmentally friendly mining industry.

Q: What are the main challenges the Chilean industry faces? How does the foundation help the industry overcome these challenges? 
A:  Potential production shortages are the key challenge. We need to increase productivity, which is essential because the global demand for copper is constantly rising. We have to improve ESG standards and environmental care practices as well. Chile is an example in this regard, supporting initiatives such as the implementation of desalination projects. 

We also face challenges in permitting and bureaucratic processes, which need to be streamlined. This is a pending task that is being worked on, but progress is slow. Streamlining these processes is crucial to ensure that investments can be carried out more efficiently. It is important to develop the projects in our pipeline. Chile has a portfolio of US$64 billion in various projects at different stages. Advancing in the realization of these projects is essential.

Access to information and knowledge among communities and society in general will allow projects to move forward more easily. When a project enters a territory, it needs to communicate the how, where, and why of the project in that area to obtain the social license. We provide support in this regard across the entire mining sector, regardless of the company involved in the project, because our goal is for citizens to have a greater understanding of what mining development means. 

We are working hard to establish a Latin American mining education institution in the near term, although there is no firm date yet.
 

The Mining Foundation of Chile is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and educating society about the mining sector in Chile. It promotes strategies for training, education, research, culture, and the environment related to the industry.