With a historical mining investment portfolio that exceeds US$ 100 billion, Chile faces a key decade for the development of the sector, a scenario in which EXPONOR takes on a leading role as a strategic platform to connect business, innovation and the international projection of the mining and energy industries.

In this context, during this year it focused on strengthening its international positioning, expanding the participation of Chilean companies and advancing in the preparations for its 21st edition, promoting strategic alliances, programs for SMEs and new thematic spaces that reinforce the role of the country as a global benchmark in mining and energy.

"EXPONOR will be a key platform for connecting Chile with the world, promoting innovation, sustainability and the generation of real business opportunities for the entire mining and energy value chain during 2026," said Andrea Moreno, the exhibition manager.

Within this strategy, she highlighted the work with Canada, the guest of honour for the 21st edition, which has participated since the beginning of the event and is currently the largest foreign investor in the country, with amounts that exceed 3 billion dollars in the Antofagasta Region alone.

Karolina Guay, Canadian ambassador to Chile, said "I am confident that the 2026 edition of EXPONOR will open up significant opportunities, and, as a guest country, we offer our commitment, enthusiasm and expertise to support the strengthening and creation of new alliances for the sustainable development of mining."

Bilateral work with various international entities made it possible to maintain the strong presence of pavilions from the United States, China and Germany at the exhibition. These efforts also made it possible to consolidate the European Union Zone, a new area that will bring together exhibitors from that continent, strengthening the international nature of the event and expanding the participation of European companies in the upcoming edition.

Promoting the participation of Chilean companies

At the national level, EXPONOR promoted initiatives to increase the participation of Chilean companies, generating opportunities for SMEs. One is the #EstaremosEnExponor program, which opened applications for companies from different regions that are interested in participating in the exhibition.

The objective of the program was to facilitate access by 50 national suppliers to an international showcase, promoting their connection to large client companies and global market players, strengthening the country's productive ecosystem. The applications were evaluated with the participation of CORFO, Fundación Chile, the Corporación Clúster Minero Antofagasta Region, ASTER and the CORFO Antofagasta Committee.

Energy transition

Sustainability and carbon neutrality are key challenges for the industry. For this reason, AIA and Colbún signed an agreement so that the upcoming edition of the event reaches emission neutrality in its processes. This alliance will offset the carbon footprint through Colbún credits, equivalent to planting 76,000 trees. próxima edición del evento alcance la neutralidad de emisiones en sus procesos. Esta alianza permitirá compensar la huella de carbono mediante bonos de Colbún, equivalentes a la plantación de 76.000 árboles.

"We have been working for three months with the Antofagasta Industrial Association and we have a plan that will allow us to remove more than 8,000 tons of CO2 emissions during 2026," said Pablo Gazzolo, Colbún's communications manager, during the signing of this agreement. señaló Pablo Gazzolo, gerente de comunicaciones Colbún, durante la firma de este acuerdo.

Another key initiative was the promotion of the Energy Pavilion, aimed at companies in the energy sector. This initiative responds to the necessary integration between mining, energy transition and electromobility, incorporating energy efficiency, renewable energies and technological innovation.

Progress in the preparations for EXPONOR 2026

The stand booking process began in May of this year, allowing previous exhibitors and new companies to secure their participation. Over 1,200 exhibitors and 45,000 visitors are expected at the exhibition, which has consolidated its position as one of the most important mining-energy meetings worldwide.

In July 2025, the 21st edition was officially launched in Santiago, with the presence of authorities, industry representatives, sponsors and strategic partners. At that time, together with the support of the world's leading mining companies, the international nature of the event and its role as a meeting place for the entire mining and energy value chain was reaffirmed.

A consolidated platform for the industry

During the year, the exhibition reinforced its message on innovation, sustainability and public-private collaboration, highlighting the need to move towards more efficient and responsible mining. Likewise, the organization recognizes the joint work with strategic partners, sponsors and international delegations, whose support has been essential for maintaining the exhibition's international profile and guaranteeing the success of its initiatives during 2025.

With these initiatives, the exhibition ends the year strengthening its position as a meeting platform for mining and energy, integrating national and international participants around productive and technological development for the sector, the country and the world.