Editor's letter

Latin America, led by Chile, accounts for around 40% of global copper production, with the region continuing to attract multibillion dollars of foreign investment across copper mining operations such as Escondida, Spence and Cerro Colorado.

Yet to remain competitive, producers must invest in its downstream activities and new technologies from bioleaching to electrochemistry.

In critical minerals, GlobalData discusses whether a deal between the US and the Democratic Republic of Congo could temper conflict in the region, a major producer of cobalt and 11% of global copper. 

Elsewhere, we speak to Randy Smallwood, CEO and president of Wheaton Precious Metals, about technology, tariffs and politics in mining.

We also report on trends in surface equipment, explore how Europe’s lack of strong strategic material value chains could constitute a defence vulnerability and look at the application of quadruped robots in mining.

Caroline Peachey, editor