en.Wedoany.com Reported - Antofagasta Minerals held a supplier matchmaking event during Exponor 2026, attracting over 100 suppliers from its Centinela, Zaldívar, and Antucoya operations. The event introduced tools for financial education, training, and business opportunities, aimed at fostering the development of supplier companies in the region.
These initiatives are part of the "Proveedores Para un Futuro Mejor" (Suppliers for a Better Future) program, designed to strengthen local supplier companies, enhance their capabilities, and expand their participation in the value chain. During the meeting, Antofagasta Minerals signed commitment letters with BancoEstado, Banco de Chile, and Santander to promote financial education among small and medium-sized supplier companies and improve their access to financing. Ricardo Díaz, Governor of the Antofagasta Region, stated that this move strengthens suppliers' integration into the mining sector and their ability to create jobs. Pablo Pomareda, Regional Secretary of the Ministry of Economy, also spoke at the event, emphasizing that Antofagasta Minerals is an economic engine for both the region and the country. Alejandra Vial, Vice President of Sustainable Development at the group, noted that the company is committed to advancing sustainable business practices with its suppliers through carbon footprint measurement, circular economy initiatives, and safety management. Katharina Jenny, Vice President of Corporate Affairs, highlighted that the program aims to promote local talent and supplier development by building their capabilities through training, enabling them to become part of the industrial chain.
Mauricio Ortiz, Vice President of Finance at the group, reported that over the past decade, the group has invested more than $14 billion in the Antofagasta region, covering the integration of Minera Centinela, the startup of Minera Antucoya, and the water transformation project at Minera Zaldívar. Additionally, the group's Sustainable Supplier Development Program (Programa de Desarrollo de Proveedores Sostenibles), in collaboration with the Universidad Católica del Norte (UCN), has completed three phases, training over 140 companies from Antofagasta and Coquimbo in areas such as competitiveness, safety, sustainability, and business management.
The event presented technical details of the water transformation project at Minera Zaldívar, a $900 million investment expected to extend the mine's operational life to 2051, with construction scheduled to begin in July 2026. The project sets a target of at least 30% local workforce participation, and the group plans to increase the local hiring rate to 50% within five years, with a focus on Antofagasta. The strategy also includes contract targets, fostering a respectful work environment, team balance, and job fairs in collaboration with the Municipal Employment Offices (OMIL) of Antofagasta and Calama. Isamar Fredes, from Lavandería Krish in Sierra Gorda, expressed that the matchmaking event provided an opportunity to understand future directions, and that her company has grown with the group's support.
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