SANTIAGO, CHILE — February 28, 2016 — On May 16-18, senior mining leaders from Chile and Argentina will meet with international renewable energy, finance and government experts to explore affordable and sustainable energy solutions at the 2nd annual Energy and Mines Santiago Summit.
Following the tremendous success of last year’s inaugural Summit, this year’s event will deliver business critical updates on Chile’s new transmission and energy efficiency laws which will have a major impact on energy strategies for mines and development plans for the renewables sector.
In an attempt to secure stable power at affordable prices, the Chilean resource sector is looking to invest in renewables for remote and grid-tied sites. Along with the latest case studies of mines integrating renewables in Chile, the Summit will provide strategic insight on emerging opportunities for mining and renewables partnerships in neighboring Argentina.
“For the mining industry, all the lessons that we learn at the Summit will be very important,” comments Veronica Baraona, Glencore´s Head of Regulatory Affairs and a Director at Enami, who is speaking at the Summit. “It is key to develop alternative technologies and use cleaner and cheaper energies to guarantee our competitiveness in the market. We have great expectations for this high-level Summit and are very excited to participate.”
Vice President of the Chilean Copper Commission, Sergio Hernandez, who will address transmission challenges and developments at the conference, also highlights the importance of the event. “We see the Summit as an important platform to analyze all mining processes where renewable integration is a real possibility. For us, it’s key to understand the current barriers and potential use of renewables for the Chilean mining industry,” he says.
The Summit agenda features 21 senior mining executives sharing their energy strategies and discussing the role of renewables in driving down energy costs. Speakers include senior representatives from Anglo American, Barrick Gold, BHP Billiton, Codelco, Collahuasi, Cerro Grande Mining Corporation, Glencore, Goldcorp, Haldeman Mining Company, KGHM, SCM Lumina Copper, Minera Constanza, Minera Rafaela, Mountainstar Gold, Minera Berta, SQM, U308, Kinross Gold and Teck Resources.
Additionally, energy decision-makers from mines including Alimaña, Alxar Mineria, Antofagasta, Gold Fields, Mantos de Luna, Minera Constanza, Minera Lumina Copper, Minera San Pedro, Minera Tres Valles, Minera Berta, Quiborax, and Minera Cerro Negro have confirmed their participation.
Siemens is the Main Sponsor for this high-caliber Summit and SolarReserve is also sponsoring. The event will explore partnership opportunities for mines and renewables for both utility-scale projects in Chile and remote microgrids across the region. It also provides a timely opportunity for renewables developers and suppliers to network with key representatives from the Chilean Ministry of Energy.
For more information on the Summit, visit http://santiago.energyandmines.com/