Chile generates about 25 percent of the world’s copper, making it the No. 1 producer globally.
Helping ensure that nation – where Freeport-McMoRan maintains its El Abra operation – keeps its standing is critical as copper demand continues to rise, Maree Robertson, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, told participants at the recent Chile Day.
“Chile has all the necessary elements to be this international benchmark, but it must remain competitive,” Robertson said during a panel discussion at the event. “We cannot stand still in our industry. Chile needs to remain competitive from a cost perspective, from a fiscal perspective and from a technological standpoint.
“We need to find ways to work faster, more efficient, safer and – above all – work and develop our resources responsibly, where all stakeholders can benefit.”
InBest, in partnership with the Chilean Ministry of Finance, hosted Chile Day, which brought together world industry leaders, and representatives of banks and investment funds to promote Chile as an investment destination.
Robertson’s panel, “Strategic Investment in Chile: The potential to be an international benchmark,” took place in New York. Robertson was joined by Jennifer Prescott, Director, International Trade & Tax and Latin America Public Policy, Amazon Web Services; Lucas Lagos, Chief of Staff, EngraGen; and Francisco Morandi, Vice President, Portfolio Management & Strategies, AES Corp.
Robertson, who lived in Antofagasta, Chile, for four years before joining the company, also spoke of the diversity of growth sectors (renewable energy, electric vehicles, data centers and artificial intelligence), supply challenges and the importance of continued investment.
“I talked about mining being a long-term business,” Robertson said. “Therefore, it’s important that we are maintaining productive long-term relationships with all of our stakeholders – governments, communities, the workforce and our investors.”
Robertson specifically noted her personal connection to the region, where her father worked in Antofagasta 30 years ago, and how much that community has grown and developed because of the mining industry presence.
On the day following Robertson’s panel discussion, she and Mario Larenas, Country Manager Chile Freeport-McMoRan, continued the relationship-building work, joining Chilian Minister of Finance Mario Marcel for a meeting in Americas Society/Council of the Americas offices.