Chile's `National Mining Policy 2050' Stimulates Sustainability

Introduced late last year, Chile’s “National Mining Policy 2050” constitutes a blueprint for 78 short-, medium- and long-term sustainable development goals. Everything from measures that promote the circular economy model in mining to stimulating adaptation, mitigating climate change and achieving carbon neutrality in the South American country’s mining sector by 2040.

While the strategy undoubtedly prioritizes sustainability and environmental protections, it also strategizes for two very clear economic goals, according to a Bnamericas guest column featuring Miguel Oñate, global director of business development in Black & Veatch’s mining and metals segment. The policy roadmap is structured to position Chile as a global leader in the sustainable production of minerals while fostering an industry of corporations at the forefront of innovation and development.

As this policy takes effect over coming decades, companies will have to work hard to make these goals a reality.

“The main step to advance the great challenges posed by the PNM2050 is that (Chile) establish a long-term plan that provides the stability that mining companies require to advance their investment plans for sustainable technologies,” Oñate said in a translated version of the Bnamericas article. “This plan must not only take into account the financial factor that each stage of the project will imply, but must also consider the sociopolitical conditions of the country and the relationship with the communities” that will benefit from these new energy matrices or desalinated water.

Oñate added that as mining companies navigate the changes ahead, Black & Veatch offers support in engineering, procurement and construction services, helping to guide companies in their sustainable development goals in mining and beyond.