The world is more connected than ever, and mining technology and service companies are no exception. As they expand their reach globally, they need to follow their clients to new markets, from a copper mine high in the Andes to the icey cold winters of Northern Canada. When exploring new markets, it’s the classic “chicken or egg” dilemma: You want to see success before committing to the expenses of a local operation, but as soon as you start generating revenue, the risk of being classified as a PE increases.
While Brazil has lots of opportunities for industrial technology and service companies, it also has some unique considerations compared to common law countries when contracting between parties. This is because there are several legal provisions that, if left undefined or unregulated in the contract, shall be applied regardless of the parties’ intentions.
Argentina’s mining industry is still under developed even though the country holds significant mineral resources. This is set to change over the next few years with a renewed focus by industry players and foreign investors who see the potential for world class copper deposits that could catapult Argentina onto the list of top 10 global producers by 2030.
Mining suppliers use subcontractors for a variety of reasons in Peru. For instance, installations of sensors or equipment at a mine site, maintenance and on-going support, or other technical equipment/services that are needed to support the main contractor. However, companies can find themselves in trouble if they do not understand the intricacies of how subcontracting laws work from both a legal and practical perspective.
Chile is making huge strides in transitioning away from coal-fired power plants. The new goal is to close all 28 coal powerplants by 2030, 10 years sooner then originally projected, and there is a chance that it could be accelerated even more. Check out our update to see where the country currently stands on its path towards decarbonization.
A study was recently released that evaluates trends in the Chilean mining industry workforce between 2023 and 2032. The goal of the study is to support public policy and the industry to identify gaps in human talent, training, technological impact, and gender equity. The study reviews trends from past years and has important projections for the next 10 years.
One of the more common risk for companies operating in Chile is related to employment laws and obligations. A recent change from the last couple years is the requirement for companies to register all employment related agreements with the Labor office. This has added an extra administration burden that some companies may not be following.