The opening ceremony was attended by Chilean President José Antonio Kast, together with cabinet ministers, regional authorities, diplomatic representatives and industry leaders from more than 30 countries, marking the beginning of a new edition of Latin America’s leading international mining, energy and technology exhibition.
With the participation of President José Antonio Kast, national and regional authorities, diplomatic representatives, executives from the mining and energy sectors, and delegations from around the world, EXPONOR 2026 officially opened this Monday in Antofagasta, bringing together the industry's leading players in mining, energy, innovation and sustainability.
The occasion marked a historic milestone for the exhibition, as President Kast became the first sitting President of Chile to attend EXPONOR since former President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, reaffirming the strategic importance of the event for the country’s productive development and international competitiveness.
The ceremony was also attended by Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism and Mining Daniel Mas; Minister of Energy Ximena Rincón; Minister of Women and Gender Equality Judith Marón; Minister of National Assets Catalina Parot; Minister of Public Works and Transport Louis de Grange; Antofagasta Regional Governor Ricardo Díaz; together with diplomatic representatives, business leaders and executives from the mining and energy industries.
During his address, Marko Razmilic, President of the Antofagasta Industrial Association (AIA), organizer of EXPONOR, highlighted the exhibition’s international significance.
"EXPONOR is much more than a trade exhibition. It is a global platform where innovation, investment, sustainability and the industries driving the energy transition come together. From Antofagasta, we connect Chile with the world while showcasing the future of mining and energy."
President José Antonio Kast stated: "We need projects to move forward, and we need tax competitiveness. We must unlock some of the challenges currently affecting us through excessive permitting processes. If we have improved environmental management, we should also aspire to legislation that encourages greater investment and ultimately delivers what Chile needs most: jobs. (...) We want to lay the foundations for lasting progress, inspired by the same vision that gave rise to this exhibition more than 40 years ago and whose results are evident today. We cannot become the obstacle. By bringing together these shared objectives, I invite everyone to believe in Chile. Chile is the best country in the world for investment."
Minister of Economy, Development and Tourism and Mining Daniel Mas emphasized the exhibition’s contribution to Chile’s international positioning.
El biministro de Economía, Fomento y Turismo y Minería, Daniel Mas, relevó el aporte de la exhibición para el posicionamiento internacional del país.
"The Government, from the President to the ministers present today, wanted to participate because we firmly believe this is a highly significant milestone. Mining investment continues to grow, with numerous projects currently undergoing environmental review. As a Government, we are facilitating permitting processes while ensuring compliance with environmental standards. Through the National Reconstruction Project, we are promoting legislative reforms aimed at providing the certainty investors have requested. Chile is experiencing a remarkable moment, mining is experiencing a remarkable moment, and Antofagasta stands today at the center of that momentum."
Canada’s Ambassador to Chile, Karolina Guay, also highlighted the event’s importance as a platform for international cooperation.
"We are very proud to be the guest country at EXPONOR 2026. Seventy Canadian companies are participating in the exhibition in search of new business opportunities. Canada is the largest foreign investor in Chile, with approximately half of that investment concentrated in mining. Together, we have built a strong ecosystem, and our objective is to further strengthen partnerships, relationships and business opportunities that will contribute to a greener, more innovative and more inclusive mining industry."
Antofagasta Regional Governor Ricardo Díaz underscored the exhibition’s impact on regional development.
"EXPONOR is the Region of Antofagasta’s premier showcase for mining, logistics and energy development. Through this exhibition, Antofagasta demonstrates its full potential while opening new opportunities for growth. We are delighted by the successful opening of this edition, and the presence of so many national and international authorities confirms that the Region of Antofagasta represents the future of Chile."
As the official guest country of EXPONOR 2026, Canada will play a prominent role throughout the exhibition, strengthening international cooperation in mining, energy, innovation, sustainability and technological development.
Over the next four days, EXPONOR 2026 will host an extensive program of international seminars, business matchmaking sessions, technical presentations, mining site visits, innovation forums and networking activities, transforming Antofagasta into one of the world’s foremost meeting points for mining, energy and the technologies driving sustainable development.
