Santiago, September 30, 2026 – Codelco's CEO, Jorge Gómez, participated in a panel organized by Fundación Chile as part of the presentation of the Mining Technology Ecosystem Study , prepared by McKinsey and Expande Minería. The study surveyed 180 participants from the industry's technology ecosystem and analyzed the main barriers hindering the development, adoption, and scaling of solutions capable of contributing to mining productivity.

During the conversation, Gómez emphasized that the challenge of incorporating greater innovation is particularly relevant given the current state of the mining industry, with declining ore grades, rising costs, and the increased capital intensity required for the activity. In this context, he noted that Chile, as one of the world's leading copper producers, also has a responsibility to generate knowledge and strengthen its technological capabilities.

Furthermore, he commented that one of the industry's most significant challenges in this area lies not only in financing, but also in the ability to assess the impact of innovation, incorporate it into production processes, and advance from pilot projects to industrial-scale implementation. “Mining companies must have the courage to incorporate new solutions, through stages and mechanisms that allow us to do so without jeopardizing critical processes. Scaling up is one of the challenges we have faced with various technologies, because many solutions work well in their pilot phase, but present difficulties when applied on a larger scale,” he stated.

Regarding the balance between innovation and operational safety, Gómez emphasized that safety is an essential and non-negotiable principle at Codelco. Therefore, he highlighted the contribution that the technological ecosystem can make to address challenges such as mechanization, remote control, and the substitution of explosives in high-risk areas—solutions that must reduce risks to people.

Finally, he called for the inclusion of workers from the earliest stages of technological transformation processes. “We make changes with people, not with technology. If those involved in operations don't feel included from the beginning, it generates a lack of understanding and resistance. Innovation must consider people as the protagonists of change,” he concluded.

The panel also included Georgeanne Barceló, Vice President of People and Organizations at Antofagasta Minerals; Juan Andrés Morel, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Lundin Mining; and Sebastián Ríos, General Manager of Pucobre.

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