CRU: How Will the Mining Industry Respond to the Civil Unrest in Chile

LONDON, Jan. 9, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The World Copper Conference will once again be hosted in Santiago, Chile during CESCO week on March 23-25, and will reinforce its position as the premier copper event in Latin America.

2020 is an important year as Chile is undergoing a period of social unrest caused by inequality in its society. These underlying collective frustrations are not unique to Chile. Many of the jurisdictions in which the mining industry operates are more volatile and far less developed.

This year's conference will have a special focus on the challenges of social value that the mining industry creates and how this value is perceived in the long term and away from its operations. There will be a keynote panel discussion on this with Octavio Araneda, CEO of Codelco, Marcin Chludzinski, CEO of KGHM, Aaron Puna, Executive President of Chile, Anglo American, Harry Conger, President & Chief Operating Officer – Americas of Freeport-McMoRan, Jorge Gómez, Executive President of Minera Collahuasi and Diego Hernández, President of Sonami.

"We estimate that disruptions to global mine production were 6% last year compared to a historical average of just less than 5%, while unforeseen interruptions continued to plague the smelter and refinery sectors across the world from Chile to China. Near-term risks to mine supply remain high. Country-wide civil unrest and several mine labour contract renegotiations in Chile, community protests in the Arequipa region of Peru, operating challenges in the African Copperbelt, and the possibility of profit-related smelter shutdowns could all upset forecasts that otherwise suggest an increase in copper production of almost 1.5% in 2020." Commented Robert Edwards, CRU's Principal Analyst.

The three-day agenda includes key presentations from mining CEOs well as an opening presentation from the Ministry of Mines, Chile. 

Additionally, the conference will include sessions on the future of the industry, the impact of technical innovation in the mining process, copper demand, what happens after China's current 5 year plan, International copper scrap trade and developments and Market and price outlook.

Attendees at the World Copper Conference also gain access to the one-day Environmental strategy and technology forum on 23 March and the Sulphuric Acid Seminar on 25 March.

Running alongside the conference is an exhibition showcasing the latest technologies, products and solutions. For exhibition enquiries, please contact Paul Terry at [email protected] or +44-(0)-20-7903-2131.

We are delighted to have Bechtel, Worley, Collahausi, London Metal Exchange and the International Copper Association as key sponsors; as well as industry support from CESCO.

The World Copper Conference will take place in Santiago, Chile on 23-25 March 2020.

Please visit http://bit.ly/2QPLwTQ to find out more and to book your place.

Read more about CRU: http://bit.ly/About_CRU

About CRU

CRU offers unrivalled business intelligence on the global metals, mining and fertilizer industries through market analysis, price assessments, consultancy and events.

Since our foundation by Robert Perlman in 1969, we have consistently invested in primary research and robust methodologies, and developed expert teams in key locations worldwide, including in hard-to-reach markets such as China.

CRU employs over 280 experts and has more than 11 offices around the world, in Europe, the Americas, China, Asia and Australia – our office in Beijing opened in 2004 and Singapore in 2018.

CRU events are well respected for attracting the most senior level professionals and providing valuable networking opportunities throughout the year for global audiences. For more information visit www.crugroup.com/events

CRU – big enough to deliver a high-quality service, small enough to care about all of our customers.

SOURCE CRU