In 2017, Chile was the world’s leading copper mine producer with a 27.2% share in global output, the second-biggest molybdenum mine producer with 20.4%, and the sixth-largest producer of silver, with 5.3%. The country also ranked first in the production of iodine with a 64.5% global share, second in lithium compounds with 32.8%, and eighth in potassium compounds with 2.8%. Mining is the thirdlargest economic sector in Chile, accounting for 10.1% of the country’s GDP, 2.6% of formal employment and 55.4% of national exports. Since late 2016, an upward trend in the prices of iron, molybdenum, coal, copper and lithium, has propelled a recovery of domestic mining production and exports, and led to the resumption of several investment projects. Mining exports rose by a robust 24.7% y/y in 2017, while the sector’s trade surplus widened to USD 36.9bn.

01 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

02 SECTOR IN FOCUS 

03 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE 

04 COMPANIES IN FOCUS

05 REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT 

06 METALLIC AND FUEL MINERALS

07 NON-METALLIC MINERALS