en.Wedoany.com Reported - In an interview with Chilean Mining, Chile's Minister of Economy and Mining, Daniel Mas, stated that accelerating the mining project approval process and enhancing national competitiveness are the core priorities of current work. According to data from Chile's Ministry of Mining, the amount of projects entering the Environmental Impact Assessment System (SEIA) in the first quarter of 2026 reached US$17.32 billion, setting a new historical record.
Mas, who holds a background in agronomy from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, assumed office as both Minister of Economy and Minister of Mining on March 11, 2026. According to data from the Central Bank of Chile and the National Statistics Institute, the country's economic activity has cumulatively declined by 0.3%, and the unemployment rate has risen to 8.9%. Against this backdrop, mining is seen as a crucial engine for restoring investment, creating jobs, and improving people's livelihoods.
Mas pointed out that the top priority is to modernize the permitting system, shorten approval times, and eliminate project bottlenecks. Promoting employment, improving the industrial chain, and driving the development of mining regions are also key focuses of the work. Currently, the total value of Chile's mining project portfolio exceeds US$100 billion, and accelerating the commencement of existing projects is critical. Furthermore, promoting mineral exploration to find new high-grade deposits is also among the priorities.
Facing the demand for critical minerals driven by the energy transition and the artificial intelligence wave, Chile is under competitive pressure from other countries with similar geological potential. Mas also mentioned the current situation of the National Copper Corporation (Codelco) and emphasized the importance of strengthening public-private sector cooperation. To enhance investment attractiveness, the Chilean government has proposed in its National Reconstruction Plan to provide a long-term tax stability scheme for projects exceeding US$50 million, aiming to build a more competitive tax environment.
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