The declaration commits the four countries to promote responsible investment throughout the mining value chain, expand technical cooperation on geological data sharing, coordinate oversight standards and public policy, and develop specialized human capital. The countries will seek technical and financial support from multilateral organizations for joint research, innovation and institutional strengthening projects involving both public and private sector actors.
Mas stated that global demand for critical minerals could increase between 400 and 600 percent over the next decade driven by energy transition requirements and artificial intelligence infrastructure development. He emphasized that Chile’s exports of mining goods and services to Argentina, Bolivia and Peru are six times greater than mineral exports themselves, highlighting the regional integration opportunity. The minister characterized the agreement as positioning the Southern Cone as the most reliable, sustainable and competitive provider of strategic minerals globally.
Lucero noted that Argentina will be part of a region generating more than half of the world’s copper, emphasizing the value of a shared long-term vision despite differing national strategic priorities. Copper mining projects can operate for 50 to 70 years, allowing current development decisions to benefit three or four future generations. Landívar stressed that the challenge extends beyond increasing production or exports to transforming mineral resources into sources of greater added value, productive development and social welfare. The declaration establishes working groups to advance these objectives through experience exchange, technical cooperation and promotion of responsible investment.
Shinno stated that strategic minerals must become dynamic instruments for generating greater added value while ensuring development of reliable supply chains that close social and economic gaps.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
