en.Wedoany.com Reported - Fernando Cortez, General Manager of the Antofagasta Industrial Association (Asociación de Industriales de Antofagasta, AIA), recently summarized the Exponor 2026 exhibition, a major mining event that attracted 1,380 companies from 36 countries, featuring 18 international pavilions with a strong emphasis on innovation and supplier development. Against the backdrop of growing demand for copper and critical minerals, the exhibition focused on challenges such as mining competitiveness, productivity, sustainability, and investment attractiveness.

Mine closure planning has begun to be considered from the early stages of projects, covering its impacts on land, communities, and the environment. In terms of mining electrification, new electric alternatives are gradually being integrated into operations as part of decarbonization and energy transition efforts.

Recent industry highlights include: environmental approval for the Penco rare earths project, advanced by Aclara and the CAP Group; approval for the construction of Antuko's Águila Andina energy storage system in the Atacama region; and the awarding of technology projects by the Clean Technologies Institute (Instituto de Tecnologías Limpias, ITL), a program that will mobilize nearly $50 million for applied innovation in the mining and energy transition sectors.

This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com