:: Chile Research Boost Tipped

Expect more industry research to start emanating from Chile. CODELCO Director Jorge Bande told the AMIRA Board in Santiago that there was a new determination in Chile for the nation to become a centre of innovation.

With the national research program being funded from a tax on minerals, the mining industry was particularly anxious to develop research programs to capture some of the money they provide.

Jorge Bande said that in this context the setting up of an AMIRA International office in Santiago had been timely. Chilean companies are already involved in geoscience projects and the Copper Technology Road Map and were keen to explore other possibilities including reductions in the use of fresh water in copper processing, mine automation and also mine rehabilitation which was becoming subject to stricter legislation.

The AMIRA International Board of Directors was meeting in Chile for the first time and Board members and Research Directors also met with Latin American researchers at a separate forum.