The mining industry gathered at the official ceremony through the strategic partners Albemarle, Antofagasta Minerals, Capstone Copper, CODELCO, El Abra, Escondida | BHP, Lomas Bayas, Pampa Norte | BHP, Sierra Gorda SCM and SQM. This milestone event was attended by the Minister of Mining, Aurora Williams, Marko Razmilic, AIA president and Gonzalo Muñoz, commercial attaché of the Canadian Embassy in Chile, also celebrating the presence of Canada as the guest of honour at the exhibition that will take place next year in Antofagasta.
Less than a year remains before EXPONOR 2026, the 21st edition of the International Exhibition of Technologies and Innovations for the Mining and Energy Industry, and its official launch was held in Chile´s capital, bringing together industry suppliers and senior executives of the companies that are part of EXPONOR 2026 as strategic partners, during this important milestone event.
The event was also attended by the commercial attaché of the Canadian Embassy in Chile, who kicked off the event representing Canada as the guest of honour at the 2026 version, a distinction that will highlight the commercial, political, educational and cultural collaboration between the two countries.
At the event, the Minister of Mining, Aurora Williams, stressed that EXPONOR not only highlights the industry's major players, but also covers its entire value chain. "Experienced companies are required to develop baselines, engage with the communities and address oversight processes, including citizen oversight, especially in the case of lithium", she said.
"EXPONOR allows us to show these initiatives, and also to connect supply with demand, generating important business deals in northern Chile", concluded Minister Williams.
The president of the Antofagasta Industrial Association (AIA), Marko Razmilic, projected a promising future for the upcoming version of the exhibition: "EXPONOR 2026 will undoubtedly be a special event, framed in a unique moment for Antofagasta, marked by a tremendous wave of investment. We are convinced that it will be a resounding success, and the participation of all mining sector actors is essential to achieving this."
For his part, Gonzalo Muñoz, the commercial attaché of the Embassy of the country that will be the 2026 guest of honour, highlighted the joint commitment of Chile and Canada to strengthen more sustainable mining, and mining oriented towards the development of critical minerals, crucial for facing climate change. In addition, he called on the private sector to take advantage of the momentum of this industry to enhance regional entrepreneurship: "There is a wide spectrum of opportunities for which EXPONOR provides a great opportunity."
Less than one year to go until EXPONOR 2026
This new edition is expected to bring together 1,200 exhibitors from 30 countries. With this challenge in view, the organisers have held activities in the context of international relations and are in contact with various countries to increase foreign participation, which in the previous exhibition reached one third of total participants.
"We are in talks with various countries to increase our international presence; this year we will have an area for the European Union, in which 13 of its countries are currently participating. We invite all those interested to book their stand and be part of the most important mining-energy exhibition in the world," said Andrea Moreno, EXPONOR manager.
EXPONOR will be the most important exhibition in the world for the mining-energy sector in 2026, a space for business development, expansion of contact networks, suppliers and companies that provide innovative solutions and new technologies for the development of the country's key industries.
EXPONOR 2026, from June 8 to 11 next year, has the support of the following strategic partners: Albemarle, Antofagasta Minerals, Capstone Copper, CODELCO, El Abra, Escondida | BHP, Lomas Bayas, Pampa Norte | BHP, Sierra Gorda SCM and SQM. Together with the sponsorship of APRIMIN, the Consejo Minero, Generadoras, InvestChile, the Ministry of Mining, the Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism, the Ministry of Energy, ProChile, SOFOFA and SONAMI.
Remember that you can book your stand HERE or send a message to reservas@exponor.cl.
