Are you interested in natural resources and extraction? Can you see yourself touring large mines, with helmet and security boots, or aboard large mining trucks? Maybe you’re thinking about studying Mining Engineering but you don’t know where. Here we will convince you that Chile is your best option.
First, a little bit of history…
You must first know that Chile is a mining country. Mining has always been a part of our country’s history and is a part of our identity as a nation. Imagine that long before the Spaniards arrived to the Americas, the indigenous communities that inhabited these lands extracted copper from the Andes to produce tools and adornments.
In 1870, Chile became the first copper exporter in the world, and the copper trade continues to hold great importance for Chileans and our economy. During the 19th and 20th centuries, Chile consolidated itself as an important global copper producer and began to receive mining engineers and mining and metallurgy specialists from overseas.
Between 1990 and 2000, mining in general and copper mining in particular, saw unprecedented growth as a result of abundant foreign investments, who have seen great potential in the richness of our subsoil and our political, social and economic stability. Therefore, this sector has been the most active in the development of the national economy.
In figures, copper alone has contributed 10.3% of the national GDP during the last 10 years. In 2018, 30.7% of global copper production was Chilean, with exports of US$37 billion, according to the Chilean Copper Commission (Cochilco).
Today, large mining has presence in 7 of the country’s 16 regions. Tarapacá, Antofagasta, Atacama, Coquimbo, Valparaíso, Metropolitan and O’Higgins.
Because we have the best location and experience to be strategic partners in mining innovation projects, it is no surprise that Chile is one of the leading mining countries in the world.
Here, the benefits of studying Mining Engineering in Chile include:
- Study on the scene! You’ll be amazed to learn that Chile has 57% of global reserves of lithium, as well as 29% of copper, 16% of molybdenum, 15% of silver and 7% of gold. There are also lead, zinc, manganese, iron, coal and calcium carbonate mines, making it a great place for learning.
- We need professionals! Chile is looking for 700,000 technicians for the mining industry (according to Universia Chile), so there will always be work for professionals in this area.
- Excellent universities! Two Chilean universities are among the top 10 in Latin America and the Caribbean (according to the 2019 Times Higher Education report), with the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile in 1st place.
- There are always projects! Mining is in constant motion, and there are always investors interested in developing new projects.
