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At the event ‘From Resources to Jobs: The Value of Minerals for Latin America,’ authorities, multilateral organizations, mining leaders, and international experts discussed ways for the region to get more benefits from mining, focusing on jobs, industrialization, infrastructure, and regional development.
With the participation of Chilean and Latin American authorities, representatives from the World Bank Group, ambassadors, mining leaders, multilateral organizations, and international experts, the event “From Resources to Jobs: The Value of Minerals for Latin America” was held in Santiago.
This international dialogue took place in a context where the region has some of the world’s largest copper and lithium deposits. In this regard, Chilean Minister of Economy and Mines, Daniel Mas, highlighted the role of the mining sector in job creation, stating: ‘The first link in the virtuous circle of mining wealth is the creation of formal, quality jobs, offering specialization, attractive salaries, and prospects for families. Its impact goes far beyond large companies: behind every mining operation are thousands of SMEs providing services, processing metals, developing software, working in transport, and driving innovation. The challenge is to continue strengthening this productive ecosystem
.’Namrata Thapar, Global Director of the Metals and Minerals sector at the World Bank Group, pointed out that ‘Latin America has a unique opportunity to turn its mining wealth into jobs, growth, and development. The biggest gains will come from everything happening around the mine, including subcontracting industries, processing, infrastructure, logistics, and workforce training.’ She added that ‘the countries that will move the fastest and the furthest will be those that can combine mining potential, a stable legal framework, high environmental and social standards, and the ability to attract responsible private investment.’At this event, four priority areas were discussed to optimize the added value of the mining sector: quality employment, industrialization, strategic infrastructure, and territorial development. Participants included Namrata Thapar; William Maloney, Chief Economist for Latin America and the Caribbean at the World Bank Group; Joaquín Villarino, Executive President of the Mining Council; Jorge Cantallopts, Executive Director of Cesco; Carolina Vásquez, CEO of Sonami; Karolina Guay, Canadian Ambassador to Chile; Iván Arriagada, CEO of Antofagasta Minerals; Gloria Hutt, President of Copsa; Eduardo Bitrán, researcher at Adolfo Ibáñez University; Carolina Rojas, head of the mining sector at the IDB; Miguel Vargas, Governor of Atacama; and Gustavo Fernández, Minister of Production, Labor, and Innovation of San Juan (Argentina).Julio Pertuzé, president of Fundación Chile, emphasized that ‘the geopolitical context, the energy transition, and the growing demand for critical minerals represent a historic opportunity for Latin America. We have to seize it,’ adding, ‘We are convinced that the biggest challenges are best addressed through the collaboration of all stakeholders. This ability to coordinate, which defines us, is exactly what we want to bring to today’s discussion.’
Jean-Marc Arbogast, head of operations for the World Bank Group in Chile, said: “We want to be a strategic partner for Chile to guide it toward a more competitive mining sector and increase the value of its minerals, by creating quality jobs, developing new skills, attracting investment, and offering opportunities to the population. This agenda is also connected to water security, the energy transition, infrastructure, and innovation – essential factors for sustainable mining that has a greater impact on development.”
The participants agreed on the importance of promoting a common agenda and active public-private partnerships. One of the main takeaways was that sustained collaboration between governments, businesses, suppliers, academia, and communities will be key to turning Latin America’s mining resources into jobs, industrialization, and regional development. In this context, strengthening ties with local suppliers and promoting a renewed relationship with communities came up as core pillars to encourage local ownership and get more value out of mining.This event was supported by the Extractive Industries Global Support Program (EGPS), through its Partnership for Improving Resilient and Inclusive Supply Chains (RISE), an initiative that brings together partners like Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the UK to strengthen sustainable development in the mining supply chain.
