Exploring in Chile, an excellent mining destination
May 17, 2022Montero Mining CEO and President Tony Harwood provides the company’s perspective on mining exploration in Chile while the country is rewriting its constitution.
Q: The drafting of a new constitution for Chile is well under way. Are you closely watching the environmental and mining proposals that are being presented to the constituent assembly?
A: Yes, we are closely watching the situation with the new constitution. Change by the people means progress and we believe there is very limited concern for a negative outcome for foreign investors and investments. The fine balance between the left and right in government means that no radical legislation is expected but rather a stricter enforcement of current legislation to protect the environment, as well as exploration and mining rights.
Q: Is the remote possibility of nationalising mining assets in the country concerning?
A: We believe this possibility is unlikely.
Q: What about the suggested introduction of mining royalties – will this make your projects less attractive to major miners that could acquire copper and gold assets in Chile?
A: Increases in royalties and taxes is a global phenomenon, with governments trying to fight inflation and the huge losses brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic on national treasuries. A fine balance has to be achieved by the Chilean government in generating income, which can be done by attracting investment, and increasing taxes and royalties, which is a disincentive to investment. Montero are explorers: the rocks don’t change and we are exploring highly prospective areas in Chile.
Q: Montero Mining is a sustainable exploration company. Are there ways to make exploration and mining activities in the country friendlier to the environment and indigenous communities and more supportive of an ‘ecological constitution’?
A: A licence to operate is a term we used in our exploration efforts in Africa: it means enriching and empowering local communities where we operate and conducting exploration in a sustainable manner while caring for the environment. Chile is a mature mining jurisdiction and there are many good examples of best practice by explorers and miners like ourselves in the country.
Q: Why does Chile continue to be a good destination for mining investment?
A: There’s no doubt in my mind that Chile’s geology, prospectivity and operating mines are magnificent. Chile is a mining country run by a sound government and administration that enables its people to realise greatness.
Q: Is copper as important for the green economy as lithium? And is most of the future global demand for copper expected to come from electric vehicle manufacturers?
A: Copper is the preferred metal used in electrical transmission, wind and solar farms, batteries, high-speed trains and electric vehicles because of its unmatched electrical and thermal conductivity. Copper is set to be a cornerstone metal of the green economy and the demand for it is set to increase by 50% in the next 20 years.
Q: What is the likelihood of finding and proving a high-grade copper deposit in the north of Chile?
A: We believe there is a very high likelihood. In exploration terms, our Avispa concessions are highly prospective for copper, as shown by current mines, developments and recent discoveries in this part of the country. Explorers in Chile have hardly scratched the surface in terms of mapping and extracting the vast wealth that lies hidden tens of metres below ground in the northern region of Chile.