LATINO85

eportaje / news report
Foto / Photo: Juan Carlos Recabal – LATINOMINERIA
Cortesía de BHP Billiton / Courtesy of BHP Billiton
“Ha sido parte de nuestra preocupación la pérdida de competitividad por un aumento de costos y disminución
de los niveles de productividad”, señaló el presidente de Sonami, Alberto Salas.
“The loss of competitiveness caused by the increase in costs and the fall in productivity has been one of our
concerns”, Sonami’s president Alberto Salas said.
Escondida, controlada por BHP Billiton.
Escondida, controlled by BHP Billiton.
revisión, o han postergado su fecha de
puesta en marcha.
Respecto del futuro del sector, Salas
señaló en su balance de 2013 y proyección
para 2014 que lamentaba la revisión, suspensión
y paralización de algunos proyectos
mineros. Si bien atribuyó esta situación
parcialmente a condiciones de mercado,
enfatizó la necesidad de mejorar los estudios
de impacto ambiental, asegurar el
abastecimiento de agua para la minería
y sobre todo de contar con un suministro
energético a precio competitivo para
acelerar estas inversiones. “De la misma
manera, ha sido parte de nuestra preocupación
la pérdida de competitividad por un
aumento de costos y disminución de los
niveles de productividad. Las compañías
han profundizado estrategias innovadoras
en su gestión y procesos, y capacitado
permanentemente a trabajadores, técnicos
y profesionales para mejorar la productividad”,
reflexionó el dirigente gremial
en su análisis.
Caserones, which were commissioned
in 2013. They will be joined this
year by Sierra Gorda, which is controlled
by Poland’s KGHM. With an
initial investment of US$4 billion, it is
expected to produce 120,000 metric
tons of fine copper annually during
its first phase, beginning this year. In
a second phase, production will be
increased to 237,000 tons annually.
The mine will have a useful life of 20
years and an ore grade of 0.39%
copper.
The Mining Council, the association
which represents Chile’s largest
mining companies, has estimated
that US$30 billion worth of projects
to produce copper, gold, silver
and molybdenum will be developed
through 2018. The Chilean Copper
Commission (Cochilco), meanwhile,
has reported that the projects in
construction, under study and at the
pre–investment stage between 2013
and 2021 require investment worth
US$112 billion. At the 2013 Annual
Mining Dinner in 2013, organized by
the national mining association Sonami,
the body’s president Alberto Salas, said
that out of US$110 billion worth of investments
planned for the next ten years,
US$43 billion are currently being revised
or seen their start–up delayed.
Looking ahead, Salas said during his
review of 2013 and forecast for 2014,
that he was concerned by the number
of mine projects which were being revised,
suspended or halted. While he
attributed this situation partly to market
conditions, he emphasized the need to
improve environmental impact studies,
secure water supplies for the mining
industry and to develop competitive
power supplies to accelerate these investments.
“Similarly, the loss of competitiveness
caused by the increase in
costs and the fall in productivity has
been one of our concerns. The companies
have intensified innovative strategies
in their management and processes,
with continuous training for workers,
technicians and professionals to
improve productivity,” the official said in
his analysis.
marzo–abril / march–april 2014 l Latinominería l 15