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Global mining industry critical mineral transition

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2026-09-12 15:01 UTC → 2026-09-14 10:47 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The global mining industry is undergoing a strategic shift toward critical minerals essential for the energy transition, including copper, lithium, and silver. Major corporations like Glencore, Rio Tinto, and BHP are prioritizing these materials to meet rising demand from the technology, electrification, and renewable energy sectors. Latin America remains a central hub for these resources. An analysis by CAF indicates the region contains nearly half of the world’s lithium resources and over 30% of copper reserves, with the ‘lithium triangle’ of Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile playing a central role. However, experts at the IV Latin American Green Economy Forum in São Paulo highlighted a significant challenge: moving beyond raw material extraction. While China currently processes approximately 70% of the world’s lithium, 78% of cobalt, and 91% of rare earth elements, Latin American nations must overcome technological and institutional gaps to develop domestic refining and manufacturing capabilities. In Chile, the sector aims to reach up to US$1.087 trillion in exports between 2026 and 2035. Recent ~~activity includes~~ developments include Chilean mining authorities projecting rare earth mineral extraction in the Biobío, Ñuble, and Maule regions. A proposed project in Penco aims to produce concentrates, with a potential US$130 million investment expected to create up to 1,400 jobs. This expansion highlights the ongoing struggle to address the global supply chain bottleneck, as China continues to control over 90% of rare earth chemical processing. Other regional activities include Capstone Copper’s US$25 million acquisition of the San Pietro ~~project in the Atacama Region, securing 16,000 hectares of copper, gold, iron, and cobalt concessions. Additionally, Collahuasi has launched a 3 billion peso~~ project, Collahuasi’s infrastructure recovery plan in ~~Tarapacá to repair infrastructure and health centers damaged by recent rains. In Argentina,~~ Tarapacá, Kobrea ~~Exploration is planning its 2026/2027 season in Mendoza following a~~ Exploration’s strategic agreement with BHP ~~involving an initial US$3 million investment. Meanwhile,~~ in ~~Mexico,~~ Argentina, and Mammoth Resources ~~Corp. has launched a 60-well~~ Corp.’s drilling campaign ~~at the Tenoriba Project~~ in ~~Chihuahua to advance gold and silver metallurgical testing.~~ Mexico.

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