Chile strengthens mining ties with India during Boric's presidential tour

Chile and India have strengthened their mining partnership through new cooperation agreements during President Gabriel Boric's state visit, focusing on technology exchange, investment, and strategic mineral supply.

As part of President Gabriel Boric's state visit to India, Minister of Mining Aurora Williams and representatives of the mining industry participated in a series of meetings aimed at attracting investment and consolidating cooperation in the sector.

One of the key milestones was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Chilean National Copper Corporation (Codelco) and the Indian state-owned mining company Hindustan Copper Limited. The agreement focuses on the exchange of knowledge and technology in the exploration, exploitation, and processing of minerals. It includes collaboration in innovation, with India contributing its expertise in artificial intelligence and big data, while Chile brings its know-how in geotechnics and metallurgy.

Codelco also strengthened its relationship with the Adani Group, one of India's—and the world's—most important industrial conglomerates. Codelco's Chairman of the Board, Máximo Pacheco, met with founder Gautam Adani to explore opportunities for commercial and technological collaboration. Pacheco visited the facilities of Kutch Copper Limited, a subsidiary of the Adani Group, with which Codelco has a copper concentrate supply agreement, reaffirming the company's commitment to the Indian market.

Minister Williams also participated in roundtable discussions organized by InvestChile and the International Copper Association, where she highlighted Chile's competitive advantages as a reliable supplier of lithium and copper—key minerals for the global energy transition.

In addition to the mining agreements, Chile and India agreed to begin negotiations toward a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Agreement, aiming to further strengthen trade relations and open new opportunities for the Chilean mining sector—ensuring India a reliable supply of essential minerals for its technological and energy development.