Chilean mining royalty distribution and collection

A study by the Center for Copper and Mining Studies (CESCO) indicates that Chilean mining royalty collections reached $1.6 trillion in 2025, marking an 11% increase from the prior year. However, the report notes that only about 28% of these funds were distributed through specific territorial mechanisms, such as the Regional Fund for Productivity and Development (FRPD), the Territorial Equity Fund (FET), and the Mining Communes Fund (FCMI), while the remaining 72% went to the general treasury.

In the Antofagasta Region, the implementation of these territorial funds resulted in the distribution of over 37.7 billion pesos during 2024 and 2025. Senator Esteban Velásquez, the author of the royalty legislation, stated that these resources are starting to remain directly in the territories where mining occurs. Within the region, nine municipalities received a combined 20.3 billion pesos through the Mining Communes Fund and the Territorial Equity Fund, while the Regional Government received approximately 17.4 billion pesos via the FRPD. Calama was identified as the municipality receiving the highest amount, totaling over 7.2 billion pesos.