Expomin 2025: The First Carbon Neutral Mining Fair in Chile

Expomin 2025, to be held from April 22 to 26 at Espacio Riesco, will bring together more than 1,300 exhibitors and nearly 70,000 visitors.

Expomin 2025, the largest mining fair in Latin America, will set a milestone in sustainability by becoming the first mining exhibition in Chile to be carbon neutral. This achievement will be possible thanks to an agreement with Colbún, which will offset all event emissions through carbon credits from its Hornitos hydroelectric plant, located in the Valparaíso Region.

The carbon footprint neutrality of Expomin 2025 will include a detailed measurement process of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated at all stages of the event, from assembly and development to dismantling, as well as emissions associated with transportation and participation of exhibitors and attendees.

Commitment to Sustainability

Daniel Gordon, Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Manager at Colbún, highlighted: “This alliance aligns with our purpose of acting ‘in balance with the planet’ and our commitment to promoting sustainable practices in the energy industry and other relevant industrial sectors, considering all our stakeholders and future generations.”

The Hornitos hydroelectric plant, located in the commune of Los Andes, is a renewable energy source that operates under strict sustainability standards from the United Nations Clean Development Mechanism. The carbon credits from this certified plant will be essential to neutralize the estimated 6,000 tons of CO2 generated in this edition, equivalent to planting more than 57,000 trees or taking approximately 1,600 cars off the road.

Evelyn Stevens, Colbún's Climate Change Manager, commented: “Offsetting emissions through carbon credits is not only a significant step in integrating sustainability into large-scale events like Expomin, but it also represents a useful tool to move towards a low-carbon future. At Colbún, we firmly believe that collaboration with various economic sectors is key to addressing climate change challenges.”

Innovations and Objectives of Expomin 2025

Expomin 2025, to be held from April 22 to 26 at Espacio Riesco, will bring together more than 1,300 exhibitors and nearly 70,000 visitors. This edition will stand out not only for its focus on carbon neutrality but also for innovative initiatives such as its sustainable mobility plan and the opening to the public on Saturday to bring mining closer to Chilean families.

“As part of the effort we are making to ensure Chile has the best mining fair in Latin America, we believe it is essential that it connects with the regions and all actors in society. That is why Expomin will dedicate a special day to families, inviting everyone to explore the mining industry in an interactive and educational way, which is key to the country's development and future,” said Patricio Hidalgo, Executive President of Anglo American in Chile and President of the Expomin 2025 Congress.

Institutional Support and Projections

“I want to emphasize how important it is to have an industry committed to a common goal: to have the best mining fair in Latin America,” stated Mining Minister Aurora Williams. “Expomin has vast experience and, in addition to offering a great event with outstanding exhibitors, it has set highly relevant goals, such as being the first carbon-neutral mining fair, a challenge that the mining industry faces and that this fair must also embrace as a sector representative,” she added.

Francisco Sotomayor, Executive Director of Expomin, highlighted: “The announcements made address historical concerns of the sector, as mining is a key driver for the energy transition and the fight against climate change. Therefore, we believe that a fair bringing together the entire industry must set an example in sustainability. The goal of achieving carbon neutrality and the total recovery of waste generated during the fair's production are significant advances in that direction.”

Colbún and Its Commitment to Sustainability

This commitment with Expomin is part of a series of initiatives led by Colbún to promote carbon neutrality in high-impact events. Recent partnerships include offsetting emissions for the Santiago 2023 Pan American and Parapan American Games, the Chilean rugby team's trips to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, the Santiago International Marathon 2024 and Viña del Mar 2024, Team Chile's trips to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and the Ironman 70.3 in Pucón 2025, among others.