A new edition of EXPOMIN took place in Chile between 22 and 25 April, and the United Kingdom took full advantage of the occasion, with our stand at Espacio Riesco, represented by the British Chilean Chamber of Commerce, (BritCham Chile), and the British Embassy.
The UK GREAT Zone (UK stand) was inaugurated by the Minister of Mining of Chile, Ms Aurora Williams, the Under-Secretary of Mining, Suina Chahuán, the UK Ambassador to Chile, Louise de Sousa, the Executive Director of the British-Chilean Chamber of Commerce, Elle Denton, and the Executive Chairman of Anglo-American Chile and EXPOMIN, Patricio Hidalgo, who carried out the ceremonial ribbon cutting, to celebrate the opening of the stand.
British companies
Nine companies attended in the UK GREAT Zone. Aggreko, Bombas de Pozo, Brigade Electronics, Bupa Seguros, Hesco, Marsh MacLennan, StepChange Global, UMS and Watson Marlow were the organisations exhibiting at the British stand. During the four days at the event, the companies received hundreds of visitors, who were interested in learning more about the services offered by these companies in the mining field. The UK GREAT Zone also held various activities, which included informative talks on the challenges and opportunities of mining, as well as tasting sessions of typical British products.
The executive director of BritCham Chile, Elle Denton, highlighted the positive atmosphere surrounding the event, and underlined the relevance of mining innovation and sustainability for the United Kingdom.
Regarding the British presence at EXPOMIN 2025, Elle Denton said:
I feel very proud and honoured to have been part of this new successful version of EXPOMIN 2025, where, together with our partner companies, we shared the latest advances in innovation and mining technology, a highly relevant area that consolidates the strong ties that exist between the United Kingdom and Chile.
Nine British companies were present in the UK GREAT Zone: Aggreko, Bombas de Pozo, Brigade Electronics, Bupa Seguros, Hesco, Marsh MacLennan, StepChange Global, UMS and Watson Marlow.
During the week of the most important mining fair in Latin America, three talks were held in the UK GREAT Zone. The first of them, led by Anglo American Chile, addressed the main challenges of sustainable mining in current times; the second, organised by Codelco, the state-owed mining conglomerate, dealt with the main points of supply in the mining ecosystem, and the third, by SICEP (Supplier Company Rating System) a comprehensive supplier qualification platform developed by the Asociación de Industriales de Antofagasta (AIA) which serves as a crucial tool for the mining and industrial sectors in Chile, particularly in the Antofagasta region, to evaluate, monitor, and select suppliers based on rigorous standards.
Activities in the UK GREAT Zone also included tastings of Twinings tea and Johnnie Walker whisky. These two activities were very well received by those present, who had the opportunity to indulge in the traditional flavours of UK products.
In addition, the second day of the fair was enlivened by a performance of Scottish bagpipers, who filled the corridors of Espacio Riesco with the sounds of traditional Scottish music.
The British Ambassador, Louise de Sousa, was also present at the activities carried out throughout the four days, where she used the opportunity to strengthen the relationship with the different exhibitors. She also hosted a networking event at her Residence celebrating mining development and trade relations between the two countries.
Regarding future collaboration, Ambassador De Sousa said:
We are proud to have participated in EXPOMIN 2025, the most important mining fair in Latin America, where we reassert the United Kingdom’s commitment to work together with Chile and the region to maintain sustainable, responsible and forward-thinking mining.
About the GREAT Campaign
The GREAT Britain & Northern Ireland Campaign is the UK’s international communications programme. It enhances the UK’s global reputation and drives economic growth by encouraging international audiences to visit, study, trade, invest, live and work in the UK.
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