Could you provide an overview of APRIMIN's key achievements and initiatives for 2025?

At the beginning of 2024, I set a clear objective to position our organization at the decision-making tables that shape industry policy and the future of the mining industry. I wanted to highlight the strategic role of suppliers in employment generation, regional economic presence, innovation, and even investment. I believe we achieved a key milestone by securing APRIMIN’s place in ministerial-level discussions on safety, labor and productivity policies.

We also made progress in productivity. For instance, we signed an agreement with 14 mining companies to standardize entry requirements to worksites. This did not mean lowering safety standards but aligning them, resulting in significant cost savings for contractors. In another collaboration with the Ministries of Labor and Economy, we helped launch a digital platform that reduced the average approval time for exceptional shift schedules. These improvements directly benefit supplier companies and cascade through the mining value chain. How can the mining sector in Chile ensure a strong and qualified future workforce?

First, I believe we must make the role of suppliers more visible. Today, three out of four mining jobs are in service companies. With the rise of integrated operation centers, many roles are now remote. Therefore, we need to reframe mining as a sector of high-quality employment with broad career paths. Second, I believe we need a strategic vision for the industry’s future workforce. We are already facing shortages in maintenance personnel. Looking ahead, automation will change the profile of required jobs. This means we must define today which trades and professions we need to develop to support the mining sector tomorrow. What role will APRIMIN and its members play in regional mining integration in Latin America?

Many of our members bring the world’s most advanced technologies and knowledge to the region. Chile’s stable and developed mining environment has enabled local development and R&D centers. I believe Chile can be a platform for Latin America’s mining sector. As other countries like Argentina, Ecuador and Colombia expand their industries, our suppliers have the opportunity to export expertise and services. This is not competition but regional collaboration. We want a strong neighborhood, and the growing demand for critical minerals makes room for everyone. Could you clarify APRIMIN’s role in the development of space mining technology?

We signed a collaboration agreement with the Chilean Mining Chamber to explore several areas of technological development, not just space mining. The media emphasized the space aspect, but our members are already developing technology for space and ocean mining. Some of our members are testing robotics and equipment off-Earth and repurposing space technology for safety applications in Chile. Others are designing systems for deep-sea resource extraction. Even though Chile officially opposes ocean mining, our suppliers are advancing low-impact technologies. The global need for critical minerals will eventually lead us to explore non-traditional sources, and we must be ready. How is APRIMIN helping position Atacama and Copiapó as hubs for mining innovation?

We support the initiative, led by CESCO, to position Copiapó as the capital of emerging mining. Atacama has numerous small and mid-sized mining firms and infrastructure similar to that of large-scale operations, but on a smaller, more agile scale. This makes it ideal for piloting innovations. We believe that companies with advanced technology and know-how can use Atacama as a launchpad for regional deployment. How does APRIMIN view the future of sustainable mining in Chile?

Chilean mining is already a global benchmark. Our success since the 1980s was due in part to the growth of specialized suppliers alongside the large mining companies. We must repeat that success now, this time with sustainability as the core. APRIMIN brings together companies that not only employ thousands but also drive innovation. Many of our members work across industries and continents, enriching our sector with global best practices. What are APRIMIN’s priorities for the next 12 months?

We are focused on four priorities. These are visibility for our members, strategic alliances, promoting sustainable mining, and supporting our mining partners. We want to highlight our members’ contributions to employment and sustainability. We are also strengthening partnerships in areas like education through collaborations with groups such as Consejo Minero. We aim to encourage decisions that prioritize social and environmental value, not just economic return.