Chilean mining sector adopts technology to counter declining mineral grades

The Chilean mining industry is undergoing a significant technical transformation to address declining mineral grades. According to Cochilco, national copper concentrations have fallen to ranges between 0.6% and 0.9%, necessitating the movement of more rock to maintain production levels. This geological challenge is driving the adoption of automation, predictive analytics, and artificial intelligence to enhance operational safety and efficiency.

While the industry contributes approximately 11% of Chile’s direct GDP—rising to over 15% when including the supply chain—and accounts for more than 50% of national exports, it faces complex hurdles. These include water scarcity, deeper deposits, and extreme climatic phenomena. To remain competitive, the sector is increasingly relying on domestic technology providers specializing in robotics, water efficiency, and circular economy solutions.

A 2025 Cochilco survey indicates that 81% of mining supplier companies are domestically owned, with 66% identifying as technology-based. However, scaling these 'mining tech' companies remains a challenge, as only 35% of surveyed firms have exported in the last three years. Barriers to growth include long technological validation cycles in mining sites and limited access to financing.