en.Wedoany.com Reported - At a seminar held under the framework of Exponor 2026, representatives from several major mining companies discussed strategic leadership, shared value, and regional development, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and unity among enterprises.
Katharina Jenny, Vice President of Corporate Affairs at Antofagasta Minerals, pointed out that without trust, it is difficult to build together, and uncomfortable conversations are necessary. She stated that when like-minded people gather, the group does not produce the best ideas; truly good ideas come from those with differing perspectives. Jenny expressed satisfaction with the company's work in Region II, believing there is still significant room for improvement in employment and developing local suppliers, adding that Antofagasta cannot have unemployed individuals. She invited all parties to continue advancing the Antofagasta Region Mining Welfare Strategy (EMRA), with a focus on how to develop and leave lasting capabilities for the communities and the region.
Pablo Pisani, Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Communications at Escondida | BHP, mentioned that EMRA needs to be sustained. All parties have made investments and expressed hopes, taking initial steps around EMRA, but the key lies in how to make it independent of political cycles and sustainable, rather than becoming another limited project with a defined start and end on a timeline. He emphasized that the challenge in the coming years is to engage in more long-term and collective dialogue, not just temporary discussions triggered by environmental assessments or specific requirements.
Rocío Amarilla-Páe, General Counsel and Head of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs at Sierra Gorda SCM, spoke about the need for continuous dialogue and active listening with communities. A major need of the communities is employability; the region wants to be part of the mining industry, whether as direct employees or suppliers. Sierra Gorda CCM places great emphasis on employee options, and as a neighbor, it maintains daily ongoing dialogue and listening with community members who also work at the mine site.
Aníbal Abogabir, Manager of Communications and Public Affairs at SQM, reflected that through a series of innovations, it is possible to be both an extractor and a value creator, while also acting as a guardian of the region. He believes these two aspects can be achieved simultaneously. This is happening not only in Antofagasta but also in Tarapacá, Copiapó, and many other regions of Chile. Abogabir noted that every day, more participants are needed to join the process of how to build and lead the region, rather than merely meeting minimum requirements to advance projects later, in order to create value, build trust, and foster a dialogue constructed by all.
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