Chile Eyes US$100 Billion in Copper Investment to Expand Refined Copper Production and Diversify Export Markets

Published: Jul 23, 2026 09:37

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Chile plans to attract around US$100 billion in copper investment over the next decade to meet rising demand from artificial intelligence, data centers, power grids and the energy transition, while reducing its reliance on the Chinese market, Foreign Affairs Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna said. He noted that China will remain a key customer, but Chile aims to diversify its export destinations and invest in expanding refined copper production rather than relying primarily on copper concentrate exports, increasing the value added of its copper industry. Chile has also begun negotiations on a free trade agreement with India and plans to strengthen trade ties with neighboring countries as part of its broader strategy to expand export markets. Against the backdrop of tightening global copper concentrate supply and expanding Chinese smelting capacity, annual concentrate contract negotiations have become increasingly challenging.

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