Latin America and the Caribbean play a strategic role in the global supply of minerals and metals that are essential for economic and technological development. The region is home to significant reserves of copper, lithium, nickel, bauxite and other critical minerals, positioning it as a key player in global supply chains linked to industrial development and infrastructure, and contributing significantly to growth and innovation.
However, many countries in the region continue to face structural challenges in maximising the economic and social benefits from mining activity. Limited refining and processing capacity, infrastructure gaps, high logistics and energy costs, as well as the need to strengthen industrial and technological capabilities, continue to restrict opportunities for value addition and economic diversification.
In this context, there is growing regional interest in moving towards mining development models that promote greater integration of value chains, strengthen regional competitiveness and contribute to sustainable and inclusive development. This requires coherent public policies, stable regulatory frameworks, investment in strategic infrastructure, regional cooperation and partnerships between governments, the private sector, financial institutions and international organisations.
The 2026 Mining and Sustainability Forum of the Americas takes place in Santiago, Chile on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, from 9:00am to 12:30pm local time. The forum’s theme is Mining for Development: Value addition and industrial transformation in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The event is co-organized by the IGF, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and Mines Ministries of the Americas Conference (CAMMA).
Provisional Agenda
| 2026 Mining and Sustainability Forum of the Americas | |
| 8:30 – 9am | Registration |
| 9:00 – 9:30am | Opening Remarks |
| 9:30 – 10:00am | Introduction and Context |
| 10:00 – 10:15am | Session 1: Energy, Logistics and Infrastructure as Drivers of Regional Competitiveness |
| 10:15 – 10:30am | Roundtable Discussion |
| 10:45 – 11:00am | Session 2: Refining and Processing: Generating greater value addition |
| 11:00 – 11:15am | Roundtable Discussion |
| 11:15 – 11:30am | Coffee Break |
| 11:30 – 11:45am | Session 3: Supplier Development and Value Creation |
| 11:45am – 12:00pm | Roundtable Discussion |
| 12:00 – 12:25pm | Q&A |
| 12:25 – 12:30pm | Conclusion and Closing Remarks |