In the EXPONOR 2024 webinar, which also included the participation of the Ministry of Energy to promote Antofagasta as an excellent option for investing in renewable energies..
Escondida|BHP, Sierra Gorda SCM and SQM outlined the great potential of the Antofagasta Region in the area of mining, with an important focus on the new technologies required by the market. The Ministry of Energy highlighted Chile's approach to carbon neutrality, which is expected to be achieved by 2050, according to the National Strategy.
This webinar, called Opportunities for foreign companies in the mining and energy market, allowed foreign participants to learn about the Chilean industry's portfolio, which has made Chile the epicentre of the global mining industry.
Investment portfolio
Escondida|BHP focused its presentation on the 2022-2040 project portfolio, such as water reduction and autonomous trucks, which are key to continue leading the copper production the world needs from Chile. "We are now looking for new trucks, our existing fleet is already reaching its life cycle, as well as new shovels and technologies with greater capacity, to increase efficiency. We want to reach 100% autonomous trucks in the northern part, to continue with the south one in the future", said Valentino Rota, Head of Planning & Technical of the company.
Sierra Gorda SCM has three strategic approaches to its processes, given the importance of working towards carbon neutrality: single culture, excellence and growth, and green copper, according to Laura Vidoza, Senior Supply Engineer of the company, adding that they use 100% seawater and electricity consumption from renewable energies, revealing the bidding plan for the coming years in the mining area, plant, among others.
Meanwhile, SQM highlighted its two divisions in the north of Chile, one producing lithium and the other iodine nitrates, highlighting three new projects in the latter: iodine plant, desalinated water line and evaporation pools, which together has an estimated US$379 million in investment over the next two years, said Rodrigo Vera, the company's vice president of planning and iodine nitrates projects.
Energy and Green Hydrogen
Chile is among the 15 most attractive countries to invest in renewable energy in the world (ranked 14th), being the first in Latin America. "We will implement the Green Hydrogen Action Plan 2023-2030 and the Initial Agenda for a Second Half of the Energy Transition, which is the roadmap of this government, to give a new boost to renewable sources and focus on storage systems, which facilitate the implementation of green energy sources in our energy matrix", said Pablo del Canto, Head of the Project Monitoring Unit of the Ministry of Energy.
The third and final international webinar will be held next year, with other EXPONOR 2024 partner mining companies.
EXPONOR 2024 -3-6 june– has the support of its strategic partners Albemarle, Antofagasta Minerals, CODELCO, Escondida|BHP, Minera El Abra, Pan American Silver, Sierra Gorda SCM, Spence|BHP and SQM, together with the backing of APRIMIN, Consejo Minero, Generadoras de Chile, InvestChile, the Ministries of Economy, Mining and Energy, the Regional Government, ProChile, SOFOFA and SONAMI. Official media partners are Minería Chilena, Reporte Minero and El Mercurio de Antofagasta. Stands can be reserved at: reservas@exponor.cl - 552 454 335.
EXPONOR 2024... Solutions for a sustainable industry.
Antofagasta, october 26, 2023.
