After a fraught 2019, marked by social unrest, Chile’s mining industry began 2020 in an optimistic mood. Then came the global pandemic. Fortunately, the Chilean mining industry has shown remarkable resilience and perseverance, as it withstood the external pressures well compared with other leading copper producers, and maintained forecast production levels. Higher copper prices and an increasing adoption of automation and technology currently place Chile in a strong position in 2021 to maintain its position as the world’s leading copper producer, despite declining grades.

Our 2021 Chile Mining Report is the product of over 70 interviews with major mining companies, junior explorers, service providers, equipment and technology suppliers and government officials, and covers copper, precious metals and lithium, as we try to paint an accurate picture of the present state of the Chilean mining industry amid the upcoming constitutional reform, environmental challenges such as water scarcity; as well as the industry 4 revolution that is breathing new life into a maturing sector.