Chile is one of Latin America’s most important mining countries and maintains its role as the world’s largest copper producer. As a result, Chile has one of Latin America’s strongest growing economies. Chile’s economic performance improved during 2004 as GDP increased by 4.0% to US$72.0 billion and total exports increased by 40% to US$30.3 billion. Mining accounted for almost 50% of this total with copper exports reaching US$12.0 billion, 40% of the total exports. According to Chile’s state Copper Commission (COCHILCO), investment in the mining industry during the period 2004 – 2008 will reach US$ 15.2 billion. Almost 50% of this total will be invested by CODELCO (Corporacion Nacional de Cobre de Chile), the state copper mining company, with US$11.6 billion being invested in copper projects (new and expansion of existing projects) and US$3.6 billion in gold mining.

The extent of cuprous porphyry ore bodies that exist along the Andean Cordillera are responsible for Chile’s vast copper and molybdenum reserves. Some of the world’s largest opencast mines are located at high altitudes and harsh environments along the cordillera. During 2004 Chile’s copper production reached 5.3 million Mt and Codelco produced 32% of the total, showing that private copper mines surpassed Codelco as principal copper producer in Chile. Other metallic minerals produced are gold (40 Mt in 2004), silver, molybdenum, zinc, manganese and iron ore.

Since the 1990’s, Chile has been the first port of call in terms of investing in South America and, as a result, numerous foreign companies have developed the country’s burgeoning mining sector. Chile is recognised as the mining capital of Latin America, and can be credited with initiating the investment surge to make Latin America the world’s primary mineral target. Apart from Codelco and the private Chilean mining company Antofagasta Minerals, all the major international mining houses are active in Chile (BHP Billiton, Anglo American, Rio Tinto, Placer Dome, Phelps Dodge, Falconbridge, Barrick Gold, Newmont, etc.) Indications are that CODELCO, state owned copper company and ENAP, the state oil and gas company, will not be privatised. The VENTANAS smelter and refinery of ENAMI (Empresa Nacional de Mineria) – state company whose principal function is to promote/encourage mining on a small and medium scale mining – has been transfered to CODELCO.

Aretech Geonova, Barrick Gold Corporation (Chile), Cuatro Vientos Chile Ltda., Minera IPBX Limitada Incorporated, ALS Chemex, Anaconda Chile S.A., Behre Dolbear Chile y Cia Ltda., Chile Copper Commission, Collahuasi Copper Mine, Compania Minera Cerro Colorado, Compania Minera Disputada de las Condes, Compania Minera Dona Ines de Collahuasi, Compania Minera Hanos de El Tofo, EGM Geological Services, Empresa Nacional del Carbon S.A, Ernst & Young Global Mining, ETT Exploration & Mining, La Compania Carbonifera San Pedro de Cota Mutrin, Larox Chile S.A., Los Pelambres ::[ View All ]

Agua de la Felda, Altonorte copper smelter, Andacollo, Andacollo gold mine, Andina, Candelaria, Chile, Cerro Bayo, Cerro Casale, Cerro Colorado, Chagres copper smelter, Chuquicamata, Collahuasi Copper Mine, El Abra, El Indio copper/gold/silver mine, El Morro, El Penon, El Soldado, El Teniente, El Tesoro, El Toqui :[ View All ]