Andr\u00e9s Jara, Business Development Manager at Pares&Alvarez, joined Chilean government representatives and senior executives from Australian mining companies at the Chile\u2013Australia Mining Dialogue 2026, discussing investment opportunities, project development and stronger collaboration between two of the world’s leading mining nations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pares&Alvarez participated in the Chile\u2013Australia Mining Dialogue 2026: Strategic Partners for the Mining of the Future, held during the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC 2026).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The high-level discussion brought together government and industry representatives to explore opportunities for greater investment, more effective project delivery and stronger partnerships between the Chilean and Australian mining sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Panellists included \u00c1lvaro Gonz\u00e1lez, Chile’s Vice Minister of Mining; Damien Koerber, Executive Advisor, Special Projects at Andean Silver; Bronwyn Parry, Executive General Manager at Kingsgate Consolidated; and Andr\u00e9s Jara, Business Development Manager at Pares&Alvarez and Board Member of Auscham Chile. The discussion was moderated by Catalina P\u00e9rez, Investment Commissioner Asia at InvestChile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The conversation focused on three key areas: attracting mining investment, delivering better mining projects and building stronger connections between the two countries’ mining ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the discussion, Andr\u00e9s Jara highlighted the depth and maturity of Chile’s mining services industry as one of the country’s key strengths, and one that international investors may not always fully recognise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chile has developed a highly specialised network of engineering firms, technology providers and technical specialists, drawing on decades of experience delivering complex mining projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These capabilities span geology, resource evaluation, mine planning, mineral processing, environmental assessment, permitting, engineering, tailings management and project delivery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Australian mining companies entering the Chilean market, access to experienced local partners who understand the country’s technical, environmental and regulatory requirements can help reduce uncertainty and support more effective project development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The panel also explored how the role of engineering companies is changing as mining operators seek to improve productivity, accelerate project delivery and reduce execution risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Drawing on Pares&Alvarez’s experience, Jara emphasised the growing importance of involving engineering partners from the earliest stages of project development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rather than focusing solely on technical design, engineering companies are increasingly expected to integrate environmental requirements, permitting, procurement, construction strategies and project management into a coordinated approach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is particularly relevant for international investors developing projects in Chile, where seismic design requirements, high-altitude operations, water scarcity and environmental approval processes can significantly influence project planning and execution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jara highlighted that accelerating project delivery does not necessarily mean moving faster through every stage. It often means making better decisions earlier to avoid costly changes, delays and execution risks later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A central theme of the discussion was how to turn the concept of a Chile\u2013Australia mining corridor into tangible business opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jara highlighted Australia’s strategic importance to Chile’s mining sector. According to Cochilco’s 2025\u20132034 mining investment portfolio, Chile has a projected pipeline of approximately US$105 billion, including around US$12.2 billion associated with Australian investment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also addressed the internationalisation opportunities for Chilean Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to figures referenced from CESCO, mining supplier exports represent 12.5% of mineral exports in Australia, compared with 1.4% in Chile, highlighting the opportunity for Chilean suppliers to expand their international presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jara identified three practical opportunities for strengthening bilateral collaboration: supporting Australian mining investment in Chile through experienced local partners; creating new opportunities for Chilean METS companies in Australia; and developing partnerships between companies from both countries to pursue projects in other Latin American markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He also highlighted the role of organisations such as Auscham, AndesMETS, ProChile and InvestChile in connecting businesses and facilitating new commercial partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The success of the Chile\u2013Australia mining corridor shouldn’t be measured by the number of meetings, trade missions or agreements we organise. It should be measured by the projects we deliver together, the partnerships we establish and the new business opportunities we create,” Jara emphasised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Participation in the Chile\u2013Australia Mining Dialogue 2026 reflects Pares&Alvarez’s international growth strategy and its commitment to building stronger technical and commercial connections between both markets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With more than 32 years of experience, over 5,800 projects delivered and operations in Chile, Peru, Australia and the United States, Pares&Alvarez provides integrated capabilities across environmental services, consulting, engineering, procurement and project management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Its presence in Perth provides Australian mining companies with a local point of contact, backed by specialised engineering, environmental and permitting teams in Chile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By participating alongside government representatives and leading Australian mining companies, Pares&Alvarez continues to strengthen its position as a technical partner for mining project development and a contributor to closer collaboration between the Chilean and Australian mining industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Andr\u00e9s Jara, Business Development Manager at Pares&Alvarez, joined Chilean government representatives and senior executives from Australian mining companies at the Chile\u2013Australia Mining Dialogue 2026, discussing investment opportunities, project development and stronger collaboration between two of the world’s leading mining nations. Pares&Alvarez participated in the Chile\u2013Australia Mining Dialogue 2026: Strategic Partners for the Mining of the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1697","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n