Mining investment in Chile is expected to reach US$6.7 billion in 2026, according to Sonami, even as the sector faces mounting operational and regulatory challenges.
The industry association said 2025 delivered strong financial and commercial results, supported by elevated commodity prices—particularly copper—boosting revenues and profitability across much of the sector. However, Sonami cautioned that these headline gains mask deeper constraints affecting project execution and future investment.
“This year greets us with what we have called the mining paradox,” said Jorge Riesco, Sonami’s president. “We have positive figures in financial and commercial terms, but significant structural challenges in operations and investment.”
Sonami pointed to permitting delays, regulatory uncertainty, rising costs, water scarcity, and infrastructure bottlenecks as key obstacles weighing on new developments and expansions. These factors, the association warned, could limit Chile’s ability to convert strong global demand for minerals into sustained long-term growth unless reforms are accelerated.
Chile remains the world’s largest copper producer, and mining continues to account for a substantial share of exports, fiscal revenues, and foreign investment. Sonami said addressing structural constraints will be critical to maintaining the country’s competitiveness as global demand rises for copper and other minerals linked to the energy transition.
