The exhibition’s Business Matchmaking Program brings together more than 20 mining, energy, logistics and industrial companies with national and international suppliers, creating new opportunities for commercial partnerships, innovation and industrial development.
With more than 3,400 scheduled business meetings, the EXPONOR 2026 Business Matchmaking Program has established itself as one of the exhibition’s most important commercial networking platforms, connecting supplier companies with procurement, operations and technical representatives from Chile’s leading mining, energy, logistics and industrial organizations.
The initiative brings together companies including Albemarle, Antofagasta Minerals, Codelco, Escondida | BHP, Spence | BHP, Glencore Lomas Bayas, Glencore Altonorte, Minera El Abra, Sierra Gorda SCM, SQM, Pan American Silver, Capstone Copper, NovaAndino Litio, Freeport-McMoRan, KGHM, Finning, Antofagasta Terminal Internacional, Puerto Angamos, FCAB, KOSPO, Las Cenizas and Minera HMC Faena Michilla, among others, all seeking to identify new suppliers, discover innovative solutions and create new collaboration opportunities.
Julio Cerna, Vice President of the Antofagasta Industrial Association (AIA), highlighted the importance of the initiative: "The Business Matchmaking Program is a key platform for connecting supplier capabilities with industry needs, generating tangible opportunities for collaboration and business development. The high number of meetings and the positive feedback from participating companies demonstrate the value of these initiatives in strengthening industrial value chains and supporting the continued growth of the Antofagasta Region."
From the mining industry perspective, SQM Supply Manager Régulo Fuenzalida emphasized: "The Business Matchmaking Program allows us to discover innovative companies, identify new capabilities available in the market and create collaborative opportunities that add value to our operations. Innovation often originates from specialized suppliers, making these meetings essential for building a more efficient, safer and more sustainable mining industry."
Andrea Fonfone, General Manager of SDI Automatización, a company specializing in process automation and engineering solutions for mining operations, also highlighted the value of the initiative. "This is an outstanding opportunity to engage directly with companies that are often difficult to reach through conventional channels. Sitting face-to-face with potential clients increases visibility for suppliers and opens business opportunities that would otherwise be difficult to access. We have seen genuine interest in our solutions, which is extremely valuable for our company."
Miguel Campos, Project Manager at Lexcom Inspecciones, a company specializing in the inspection of critical assets using advanced drone technology, shared a similar perspective. "Most interactions with mining companies typically take place through email or formal communication channels. Meeting people in person makes a tremendous difference because it allows us to present success stories, explain our value proposition and demonstrate how our solutions can improve mining operations. It is a unique opportunity for innovative companies like ours."
The Business Matchmaking Program has also created opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs seeking to enter the mining industry. Estefanía Rojas, founder of Centro Armony, a startup focused on workplace wellbeing experiences, commented: "For entrepreneurs, this is an invaluable opportunity because it allows us to engage directly with major mining companies and present our services. We have received an excellent response and have already established contacts that could become future business opportunities."
International participation has also been a key component of the program. Victoria de la Cruz, Commercial Deputy Manager at Bisa Ingeniería de Proyectos, a Peruvian engineering and consulting firm, explained: "We are currently evaluating the possibility of establishing operations in Chile, and this initiative allows us to connect with potential clients, learn about ongoing projects and better understand how to integrate into the local supplier ecosystem. It has been an extremely rewarding experience and an excellent gateway for creating new business opportunities."
Through its Business Matchmaking Program, EXPONOR 2026 continues to strengthen its role as a strategic platform connecting mining companies, suppliers, entrepreneurs and innovators, fostering new partnerships while contributing to the development of a mining and energy industry that is increasingly competitive, technology-driven and prepared to meet the challenges of the future.