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Mining

Latin America Mining Briefing — 25/03/26

This week: Albemarle advances Chile's first direct lithium extraction project · Codelco-Anglo American joint venture clears regulatory hurdles · Chilean mining sector opposes diesel tax modification

Mining  Minería Chilena

Albemarle advances Chile's first direct lithium extraction project

Albemarle submitted environmental impact assessment for TED project in Salar de Atacama, employing direct lithium extraction technology to double recovery while reducing brine extraction. The project represents Chile's shift toward more efficient and sustainable lithium production methods.

WHY IT MATTERS Success could establish new industry standard for lithium extraction in Chile, reducing environmental impact while boosting production capacity.

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Mining  Minería Chilena

Codelco-Anglo American joint venture clears regulatory hurdles

The Andina-Los Bronces joint mining plan between Codelco's Andina Division and Anglo American's Los Bronces operation received regulatory approval including clearance from China's State Administration for Market Regulation. The agreement was originally signed in September 2025.

WHY IT MATTERS Approval enables operational synergies between Chile's two major copper operations, potentially setting precedent for further consolidation in Chilean mining.

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Political Risk  Minería Chilena

Chilean mining sector opposes diesel tax modification

Mining Council president Joaquín Villarino opposed the government's proposed diesel tax modification, arguing mining equipment does not use public roads and should not bear fuel tax increases. The dispute centers on technical design of taxation versus mining industry cost pressures.

WHY IT MATTERS Tax dispute signals potential broader friction between Boric administration and mining sector over fiscal policy affecting operational costs.

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Mining  Minería Chilena

Atacama diversifies beyond copper with gold and iron surge

Atacama region exports of non-copper, non-lithium products reached US$920 million in January-February, a 72.7% increase year-over-year, led by gold (US$604 million) and iron (US$253 million) derivatives. The surge reflects strong international demand for alternative commodities.

WHY IT MATTERS Export diversification reduces Chile's dependence on copper and lithium while demonstrating mining sector adaptability to global commodity cycles.

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Commodities  NASDAQ Mining

Brazilian coffee farmers withhold supplies amid price expectations

Arabica coffee futures surged 3.96% to seven-week highs on Tuesday as Brazilian farmers hold back supplies in anticipation of higher prices. Robusta also gained 0.69%.

WHY IT MATTERS Supply withholding by Brazilian producers could tighten global coffee markets and sustain elevated prices through 2026.

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Commodities  NASDAQ Mining

Cocoa prices rise on West African fertilizer supply concerns

Cocoa futures in New York and London rose 1.73% and 1.44% respectively on Tuesday amid concerns that Strait of Hormuz closure will constrain fertilizer supplies to West Africa. Price gains were supported by short-covering driven by supply tightness concerns.

WHY IT MATTERS Fertilizer supply disruptions threaten West African cocoa production, potentially exacerbating existing supply constraints in global chocolate markets.

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Economy  NASDAQ Mining

U.S. import prices surge signals persistent inflation pressures

U.S. import prices surged 1.3% in February, substantially exceeding economist expectations, driven primarily by fuel import price rebounds. The Labor Department data indicates persistent inflationary pressure in international supply chains.

WHY IT MATTERS Import price acceleration complicates Federal Reserve policy decisions and suggests inflation may prove more persistent than anticipated.

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Security  NASDAQ Mining

Middle East tensions drive commodity price volatility

US stock indices closed lower on Tuesday with S&P 500 down 0.37%, Dow down 0.18%, and Nasdaq down 0.77% as Iran conflict tensions drove crude oil prices and bond yields higher. June futures contracts declined across benchmarks.

WHY IT MATTERS Escalating Middle East tensions create sustained commodity price volatility, affecting global supply chains and inflation expectations.

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