Chile: On the road to global sustainable mining

Abstract

The energy transition relies heavily on minerals such as copper and lithium. In today's modern world, where consumers are increasingly aware of the need to protect tomorrow's natural resources, mining is expected to be not only economical but also socially and environmentally sustainable. In light of this, mining production must be competitive in these three dimensions of sustainability to meet demand, understanding that consumers will prefer a more sustainable material. This study aims to comprehend the competitiveness of copper and lithium Chilean production from a sustainable perspective using a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) developed by a panel of experts.Based on an analysis of 165 factors driving mining's sustainability, the copper industry in Chile ranks third in the sustainability ranking for the world, while lithium ranks second. The foregoing implies that Chile, the world's leading producer of copper and second global producer of lithium, still has room to improve sustainability by introducing the following measures: (1) improving effective communication among stakeholders; (2) disseminating sustainability knowledge; (3) developing State mining policies; (4) restoring stability in the country; (5) developing a sustainable quality brand of Chilean commodities; and (6) capitalizing on valuable human capital.