Canada and Chile have expanded their collaboration on critical minerals, reinforcing a long-standing partnership aimed at strengthening supply chains, increasing investment opportunities, and supporting sustainable economic growth. During the Conference of Mining Ministries of the Americas (CAMMA) in Santiago, Chile, Canada highlighted new initiatives and commercial partnerships designed to advance responsible mining, innovation, and critical mineral development across the Americas.
As two leading mining nations, Canada and Chile are working together to diversify trade, enhance critical mineral supply chains, and create new opportunities for businesses and workers. The partnership builds on the 2024 Canada-Chile Memorandum of Understanding on Critical Minerals and Sustainable Development, which promotes cooperation in innovation, investment, skills development, and responsible resource development
What Was Announced?
Several new initiatives and partnerships were highlighted as part of the growing Canada-Chile relationship:
- A five-year collaboration between Chile’s state-owned copper producer Codelco and Canadian company MacLean Engineering to advance innovative underground mining technologies and improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability.
- New skills development and capacity-building programs through the G7 Minerals Skills Network, including specialized training initiatives and critical minerals seminars in Chile.
- Up to $450,000 in research and development funding through NRC IRAP to support a Canada-Chile innovation project focused on improving mining connectivity, productivity, and safety.
- A planned Canadian Cleantech in Mining Mission to Chile in October 2026, helping Canadian companies explore business opportunities and deploy innovative mining solutions.
Economic and Workforce Impact
The strengthened partnership is expected to create new opportunities for Canadian businesses operating in the mining and critical minerals sectors while supporting innovation and investment. Enhanced cooperation will also help strengthen secure and sustainable supply chains for minerals that are essential to clean energy technologies and the global energy transition.
By expanding international collaboration and promoting Canadian expertise, the initiative aims to support economic growth, attract investment, and create employment opportunities in both countries. The partnership also supports Canada’s broader strategy of diversifying trade relationships and reducing dependence on a limited number of markets
Quick Facts
- Chile is a key partner for Canada and a leading global mining jurisdiction, with significant production of critical minerals, including copper and lithium. Canada is the largest foreign investor in Chile’s mining sector, with approximately C$43.5 billion in assets in 2024 held by about 52 companies, and Chile is the second-largest destination for Canadian mining assets abroad.
- The strong bilateral relationship is underpinned by the Canada–Chile Free Trade Agreement and the 2024 Canada–Chile Memorandum of Understanding on Critical Minerals and the Sustainable Development of Minerals and Metals, which advances co-operation on critical mineral value chains, innovation, investment and responsible mining. Together, Canada and Chile are working to strengthen secure and sustainable mineral supply chains that support the global energy transition.
- On the margins of the CAMMA, Parliamentary Secretary Claude Guay met with several Chilean officials, including:
- Daniel Mas, Chile’s Minister of Economy and Mining, and Alvaro Gonzalez Gorroño, Undersecretary of Mining, to advance Canada–Chile co-operation on critical minerals and sustainable mining under the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding;
- Hugo Briones, Undersecretary of Energy, to discuss energy co-operation and opportunities for Canadian clean energy and nuclear technology expertise; and
- Paula Estévez, Undersecretary of International Economic Relations, to discuss critical minerals supply chain resilience and broader Canada–Chile co-operation.
Quotes
“In a time of uncertainty and changing trade and economic relationships worldwide, Canada is expanding and strengthening our network around the world. These efforts ensure we have the minerals our economies need, diversify and secure our trade and create opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses. Canada and Chile share a strong and long-standing partnership built on investment, responsible resource development, innovation and shared economic interests. This trip reinforced for our Chilean partners that Canada is a partner of choice for investment, business and collaboration.”
Claude Guay
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
Conclusion
The strengthened Canada-Chile critical minerals partnership represents an important step in Canada’s efforts to diversify international trade relationships, strengthen supply chains, and support long-term economic growth. By expanding collaboration in mining, innovation, research, and workforce development, both countries are positioning themselves to meet the growing global demand for critical minerals that are essential for clean energy technologies, advanced manufacturing, electric vehicles, and infrastructure development.
The partnership also creates new opportunities for Canadian businesses, researchers, and workers by encouraging investment, technological innovation, and knowledge-sharing between two of the world’s leading mining nations. Through initiatives such as skills training programs, research collaborations, and commercial partnerships, Canada and Chile are working to build more resilient and sustainable mineral supply chains while supporting job creation and economic prosperity. As the global transition to cleaner energy accelerates, this collaboration is expected to strengthen Canada’s competitiveness and reinforce its role as a trusted leader in the critical minerals sector.