Chile copper mining faces productivity integration and water sustainability challenges

Chile’s copper sector is under pressure to boost productivity amid rising costs, complex operations and intense resource use. Industry leaders note that real gains come from fully integrating digital tools—analytics, automation and AI—into daily planning, maintenance, energy and water management rather than isolated pilot projects. Cochilco, for example, projects 51 mining projects worth $83.2 billion between 2024‑2033, emphasizing the need for operational discipline to capture economic returns.

In the Valparaíso and Antofagasta regions, copper mines consume more than 60 % of local water supplies, directly affecting agricultural and rural livelihoods. Sustainable water allocation and coordinated management between mines, farms and forestry are seen as essential to avoid undermining regional food production and to support long‑term community development.