SANTIAGO, April 10 (Reuters) – Chile's premier copper industry gathering, CESCO Week, will open with a dedicated lithium conference next Monday, signaling a strategic pivot as the nation seeks to leverage its vast 'white gold' reserves amid soaring global demand and geopolitical shifts.
In a move that underscores Chile's political shift, President José Antonio Kast has withdrawn the country's endorsement of former leader Michelle Bachelet for UN Secretary-General, citing regional divisions and casting uncertainty over Latin America's historic opportunity to lead the global body.
In a move reflecting its new political direction, Chile has formally withdrawn its backing for former President Michelle Bachelet's candidacy for UN Secretary-General. The decision, announced by the foreign ministry, follows the inauguration of right-wing President José Antonio Kast and underscores deepening regional divisions ahead of the 2027 leadership election.
Chile's Ministry of Environment has suspended 43 environmental decrees, many enacted under the previous administration, affecting areas from industrial emissions to national parks, as President José Antonio Kast prioritizes economic growth and job creation.
Chile's new government has launched the construction of defensive trenches along its northern border with Peru, a flagship policy of President José Antonio Kast aimed at curbing illegal immigration and organized crime.
Freshly inaugurated President José Antonio Kast confronts an immediate foreign policy dilemma: whether to proceed with a major Sino-Chilean undersea data cable project, a decision that pits vital trade ties with Beijing against strategic pressures from Washington.
NGEx Minerals announces Lundin Mining will acquire a 30.9% stake in the Los Helados joint venture, positioning the major miner as a strategic partner for one of the world's largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits.
Lundin Mining expands its foothold in Chile's prolific copper belt, securing a larger share of the Caserones mine and a strategic stake in the nearby Los Helados project to boost future production and resource base.
Chilean Cobalt and NeoRe are ramping up exploration and land acquisition in southern Chile, reporting high-grade rare earth samples and launching an accelerated development program aimed at defining a new critical minerals district.
STRABAG's subsidiary ZÜBLIN wins a pivotal contract from Codelco to construct over 54km of tunnels, marking a critical phase in converting the century-old Chuquicamata open-pit mine into a subterranean operation set to extend its life for decades.
Chilean prosecutors have conducted raids on the homes of two recently ousted Codelco executives and company facilities, seizing digital equipment as part of an investigation into a fatal 2023 mine collapse and subsequent reporting irregularities. The probe follows an internal audit that led to the dismissal of three senior managers last week.
A catastrophic explosion erupted in northern Santiago after a liquefied gas truck veered out of control and collided with a guardrail. The blast killed three, injured ten, and damaged multiple vehicles, sending shockwaves through the Chilean capital.
Chilean copper miner Antofagasta plc reported a surge in annual earnings, driven by robust production and favorable prices. The company outlined a fully-funded expansion plan set to boost output by 30%, while emphasizing its commitment to safety and sustainability.
Chilean table grape shipments to the United States are projected to fall by approximately 10% during the peak February export window, as producers recalibrate supply in a saturated market and accelerate a years-long shift toward newer, more competitive varieties favored by consumers.
Chile's state-owned Codelco has dismissed three senior executives overseeing its flagship El Teniente copper mine following an internal audit that uncovered serious governance failures and reporting inconsistencies linked to a fatal 2023 accident. The move signals a major operational overhaul at the world's largest underground copper operation.
A Santiago court has cleared Lieutenant Colonel Claudio Crespo of wrongdoing for firing the rubber bullets that blinded student Gustavo Gatica during the 2019 protests. The verdict, citing 'legitimate defense,' arrives as Chile prepares to inaugurate its most conservative leader since Pinochet, raising alarms about accountability and policing.
Chile's SQM is leveraging its position as a low-cost producer in lithium and fertilizers while aggressively expanding capacity. Investors are weighing these strategic moves against persistent risks from commodity price swings and regulatory uncertainty in Chile.
Codelco's flagship El Teniente copper mine in Chile will operate at reduced output levels for approximately five years, its manager confirmed, extending earlier recovery forecasts after a deadly collapse last year that continues to constrain operations.
A sustained rally in key commodities like copper is delivering a fiscal windfall for producer nations such as Chile, enabling ambitious economic plans. However, the recent sharp reversal in precious metals underscores the persistent risks for economies tied to global price swings.
In a joint diplomatic push, Chile, Brazil, and Mexico have officially submitted former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet's candidacy to become the first woman to lead the United Nations, as the race to succeed Antonio Guterres heats up.
