Mining in Chile Final Customers Identification¶

Customers Categorization¶

Based on the provided value chain analysis of the mining industry in Chile, the final customers are predominantly businesses (B2B). The analysis of the Commercialization stage indicates the following categorization:

B2B Customers: The main final customers are large-scale industrial entities globally, specifically overseas smelters, refineries, and industrial consumers/manufacturers located primarily in Asia (China, Japan, South Korea) and Europe. [Table] International metal trading houses also act as significant intermediaries in the commercialization process, buying from producers and selling to other businesses. [Table] Additionally, there is a smaller segment of domestic B2B customers, comprising local Chilean industries that purchase mineral products. [Table] The state-owned ENAMI also acts as a commercializer for products from small and medium miners, selling these products on the market, largely to other businesses. [Table]
B2C Customers: The provided text does not identify any direct sales of mineral products from the Chilean mining industry to individual consumers (B2C). The products at the commercialization stage (copper concentrates, copper cathodes, iron ore, etc.) are raw materials or intermediate products used in further manufacturing processes, rather than being sold directly to the public by the mining companies or intermediaries described.

Detailed Profiles of Customer Characteristics and Demographics¶

Based on the information available in the provided text, the characteristics and demographics of the identified final customers are as follows:

International B2B Customers (Smelters, Refineries, Industrial Consumers/Manufacturers):
- Geographic Concentration: Primarily located in key industrial regions globally, with a notable focus on Asia (specifically China, Japan, and South Korea) and Europe. [Table]
- Business Type: Large industrial operations that require mineral products as essential raw materials for their processes. This includes facilities that refine mineral concentrates into finished metals (smelters and refineries) and companies that use these metals in manufacturing goods. [Table]
- Relationship Type: Often engage in long-term contractual agreements directly with major mining producers to ensure a stable supply of mineral products. [Table] Spot sales and trading activities also occur. [Table]
- Scale of Purchase: These entities purchase vast volumes of mineral commodities, aligning with Chile's status as a major global supplier, particularly of copper. [Table]
International B2B Customers (Metal Trading Houses):
- Geographic Reach: Operate globally, involved in the international buying and selling of mineral commodities. [Table]
- Business Type: Specialized firms focused on commodity trading, risk management, and logistics. Examples mentioned include Glencore and Trafigura (though Glencore is also a miner). [Table]
- Role: Act as intermediaries between mining producers and end consumers or other market participants, providing liquidity and facilitating trade. [Table]
Domestic B2B Customers (Local Chilean Industries):
- Geographic Concentration: Located within Chile.
- Business Type: Various local industries that utilize mineral products. The specific types of industries and their scale are not detailed in the provided text, but this segment is indicated as being smaller than the export market for copper. [Table]
- Relationship Type: Purchase mineral products for use in their own production processes. ENAMI plays a role in supplying this market with products from small and medium miners. [Table]
B2C Customers: As noted, the provided text does not describe any B2C customers who purchase mineral products directly from the mining value chain participants discussed.

References:¶

Anglo American. (2025, February 25). Anglo American FY 2024 Results.
Antofagasta. (2025, February 18). FULL YEAR RESULTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2024.
Ascorp. (2024, July 4). 10 EMPRESAS MINERAS en Chile | Minería del Cobre.
BHP. (2024, August 27). ANNUAL REPORT 2024.
Cochilco. (2025, February 10). Producción chilena de cobre crece 4,9% en 2024, quebrando tendencia a la baja de los últimos cinco años – COCHILCO.
Codelco. (2024, October 30). SEPTEMBER 2024 RESULTS.
Codelco. (2025, March 28). DECEMBER 2024 RESULTS.
Codelco. (2024, December 12). Codelco vuelve al top ten y es la minera con mejor reputación de Chile.
Codelco. Filiales | CODELCO - Corporación Nacional del Cobre, Chile. https://www.codelco.com/empresa/filiales
Consejo Minero. Cifras actualizadas de la minería - Consejo Minero. https://consejominero.cl/la-mineria-en-cifras/cifras-actualizadas/
Empirica. (2022, September 21). Etapas de un proyecto minero - Empirica. https://www.empirica.cl/etapas-proyecto-minero/
Grupo CAP. (2025, March 7). Grupo CAP reporta un EBITDA de US$ 569 millones al cierre de 2024. https://www.cap.cl/grupo-cap-reporta-un-ebitda-de-us-569-millones-al-cierre-de-2024/
ICEX. (2024, August 22). El Sector de la Minería en Chile 2024 - ICEX. https://www.icex.es/icex/wcm/idc/groups/public/documents/documento_vertical/g5831441e_1.pdf
International Mining. (2025, April 4). Collahuasi's solid 2024 results plus growth & efficiency plans. https://www.internationalmining.com/news/collahuasis-solid-2024-results-plus-growth-efficiency-plans/
International Trade Administration. (2023, December 7). Chile - Mining - International Trade Administration. https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/chile-mining
KPN Safety. (2023, April 11). Proceso de extracción de metales en la minería - KPN Safety. https://kpnsafety.com/proceso-de-extraccion-de-metales-en-la-mineria/
KLog.co. (2021, August 4). Principales puertos de carga de Chile - KLog.co. https://www.klog.co/blog/principales-puertos-de-carga-chile/
La Tercera. (2021, December 27). La importancia de la cadena de valor de la minería para el desarrollo del país. https://www.latercera.com/especial/la-importancia-de-la-cadena-de-valor-de-la-mineria-para-el-desarrollo-del-pais/
Latiza. GUÍA PARA LA COMERCIALIZACIÓN DE MINERALES Y METALES - Latiza. https://latiza.pe/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/GUIA-PARA-LA-COMERCIALIZACION-DE-MINERALES-Y-METALES-1.pdf
Lundin Mining. (2025, February 19). Lundin Mining Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results.
Portal Minero. (2025, February 10). Producción chilena de cobre crece 4,9% en 2024, quebrando tendencia a la baja de los últimos cinco años.
Portal Minero. (2025, February 5). Chile lidera inversión en exploración de cobre a nivel mundial. https://www.portalminero.com/noticias/chile-lidera-inversion-en-exploracion-de-cobre-a-nivel-mundial/
Portal Minero. (2021, September 30). Conoce 7 proyectos de exploración minera aprobados en Chile. https://www.portalminero.com/noticias/conoce-7-proyectos-de-exploracion-minera-aprobados-en-chile/
Plusmining. (2025, February 12). Codelco managed to halt production decline in 2024, but its gap with Escondida shrinks to a historic low.
PwC. Ingresos de las 40 mayores mineras globales caerán por segundo año consecutivo a US$ 793 mil millones - Reporte Minero | El portal de minería en Chile.
República Federal de Chile. (2025, January 31). Principales puertos de Chile – República Federal de Chile. https://www.republicafederal.cl/principales-puertos-de-chile/
Reporte Minero. (2025, February 5). Gasto en exploración minera en Chile cae un 4,6% en 2024. https://www.reporteminero.cl/noticia/noticias/2025/02/gasto-en-exploracion-minera-en-chile-cae-un-46-en-2024/
Rocmin Servicios Mineros. Rocmin Servicios Mineros. https://www.rocmin.cl/
Schwager. Inicio - SCHWAGER. https://schwager.cl/
SONAMI. Ciclo de vida del cobre - SONAMI :: Sociedad Nacional de Minería - Chile. https://www.sonami.cl/es/ciclo-de-vida-del-cobre/
SONAMI. Etapas en la vida de un Proyecto Minero - SONAMI. https://www.sonami.cl/vidadeunproyectominero.pdf
Teck. (2025, January 20). Teck Anuncia su Actualización de Producción 2024 y Orientación 2025. https://www.teck.com/media/Teck-Announces-2024-Production-Update-and-2025-Guidance-SPANISH.pdf
The Rio Times. (2025, March 31). Codelco Ends 2024 with Financial Gains but Faces Long-Term Pressures.
Webstock Inc. (2025, February 7). Chile's Codelco copper company aims to produce 1.391 million mt of copper in 2025.