Grupo CAP is accelerating its transformation ahead of its 80th anniversary by deployi…
Grupo CAP is accelerating its transformation ahead of its 80th anniversary by deploying a $300 million investment plan aimed at strengthening its leadership in critical materials essential for Chile’s energy transition and global decarbonization efforts. The company’s comprehensive Strategy 2030 reinforces growth across its mining, industrial, and infrastructure segments—building a diversified and sustainable platform poised for long-term value creation.
For 2026, Grupo CAP allocates $275 million to expanding its mining operations, $15 million to industrial innovation, and $10 million toward infrastructure projects, embedding resilience by balancing cyclical fluctuations within its business lines. Mining remains the backbone of CAP’s portfolio, with its subsidiary Compañía Minera del Pacífico (CMP) targeting an increase in global iron production market share from 3% to between 4% and 5% by 2030. This expansion will rely on optimizing existing assets and developing new underground mines such as Romeral Subterráneo, Los Colorados, and Cerro Negro Norte, all pivotal in supplying high-purity iron vital for green steel production.
In a strategic pivot toward materials critical for electromobility and clean energy, Grupo CAP has also ventured into the rare earth elements sector. Through an initial 10.18% stake in Aclara Resources—the owner of Chile’s Penco and Brazil’s Carina ion-adsorption clay deposits—captured last year with a $10.8 million investment, CAP is positioned to scale its participation up to 40% in the Penco project. This aligns with the company’s vision of securing a foothold in the global value chain for low-carbon technologies.
Infrastructure development forms a key pillar of CAP’s 2030 roadmap. The launch of CAP Puertos Multipropósito consolidates assets at Puerto Las Losas, Atacama, and Puerto de Huachipato, Biobío—two strategically located terminals designed to support multiple industrial sectors, including the vital mining load in northern Chile. Operating under a multipurpose model with extensive port, logistical, and internal railway capabilities, this unit aims to triple its revenues from $5 million to an estimated $15 million by 2030.
Complementing this is CAP’s full ownership of Aguas CAP, the country’s first multipurpose desalination plant situated in the water-scarce Atacama region. Its current processing capacity stands at 400 liters per second, with permissions and infrastructure plans to expand output to 750 liters per second, enhancing water security for more than ten mining projects under evaluation in northern Chile. This asset was financed through Chile’s pioneering “blue loan,” underscoring its environmental and social governance commitments.
On the industrial front, CAP is advancing the transformation of its Huachipato steel complex, pivoting towards innovative sectors including green steel production, rare earth metallurgy, and enhanced logistics through the adjacent port. Collaborative efforts with local universities underpin a Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Industry 4.0, reinforcing CAP’s emphasis on technological adaptation and sustainability. Additionally, Grupo Cintac, a CAP subsidiary, is expanding its footprint in precast modular construction, recently undertaking social housing projects benefiting over 400 families and strengthening infrastructure supply for mining clients.
Financially, Grupo CAP demonstrated progress in operational efficiency, reporting a consolidated EBITDA of $297.7 million through September 2025, despite challenges such as mining production disruptions and legacy losses from the prior suspension of Huachipato operations. The firm’s strategic diversification and focus on innovation are positioning it for a sustainable recovery aligned with global decarbonization trends and Chile’s evolving economic landscape.
As Chile and the world intensify their race to low-carbon economies, Grupo CAP’s integrated approach—combining mining leadership, industrial reinvention, and strategic infrastructure investments—cements its role as a key contributor to the country’s sustainable development and the global materials transition. With eight decades of operational history anchoring its forward momentum, the company is reaffirming its commitment to generate economic value while supporting environmental stewardship and social progress.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
