Chile's ENAMI Advances Formalization of Small-Scale Gold Mining

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On August 18, Chile's National Mining Company (ENAMI) signed a cooperation agreement with the University of Magallanes (UMAG) to integrate mining services, research, laboratory, and talent development capabilities, supporting the formalization of small-scale gold mining and artisanal mining activities in the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica Region. The cooperation will focus on the development of local placer gold resources, covering mine operations, technical training, ore testing, and gold sales.

Under the agreement, both parties will assist small-scale miners in improving mining projects, production plans, and relevant industry permits, gradually bringing existing production activities into Chile's mining regulatory framework. The University of Magallanes will open its laboratories and professional teaching resources to provide miners with ore sample testing, technical training, and production capacity building, as well as explore the training of mining technical personnel to offer geological, mining, and mineral analysis support for local small-scale mines.

ENAMI plans to resume small-scale mining services in the Magallanes Region, starting with a feasibility study on establishing a gold procurement channel in Punta Arenas. The proposed mechanism would provide local miners with gold grade testing, valuation, and settlement services, enabling them to complete gold sales within the region and reducing the need to transport products to other parts of Chile for testing and trading. The gold procurement point, implementation timeline, and specific fee rates have not yet been announced.

Existing placer gold mining activities in Chile's Magallanes Region are mainly concentrated around Porvenir on Tierra del Fuego. Some local small-scale miners already hold mining concessions and pay mining fees, but still need to supplement mining engineering documents, extraction plans, and industry permits. Chile's mining authorities have previously studied the introduction of a formal gold purchase mechanism with ENAMI and the University of Magallanes, including gold grade testing by duly qualified laboratories and settlement of payments through banking channels.

This cooperation also marks ENAMI's re-entry into the Magallanes Region to carry out small-scale mining support operations. ENAMI will establish service linkages covering producer registration, technical guidance, mineral product procurement, and processing and sales, while the University of Magallanes will undertake laboratory testing, technical training, and professional talent support. The agreement is currently in the stage of establishing the cooperation mechanism, with no details disclosed regarding investment amounts, gold procurement volumes, or facility construction arrangements.