Chile's copper mining confronts glacial controversy and seeks tech-driven innovation

A Chilean court ordered a new investigation into Anglo American's eight‑kilometre Los Sulfatos tunnel that was built under the protected Yerba Loca glacial sanctuary without a formal environmental impact assessment. Authorities are examining potential effects on glacier melt and regional water supplies that have become critical during a decade‑long megadrought.

At the ASIVA Summit in Valparaíso, Minnovex presented the role of technology providers in advancing Chile's mining sector. The company stressed that "mining must be a platform of productive transformation for Chile" and highlighted opportunities to address water scarcity, stricter environmental standards, and declining ore grades through innovation, start‑ups and stronger internationalisation of mining technologies.