HCL Hosts CODELCO Delegation to Deepen India-Chile Copper Mining Ties

The agreement was formally signed by Mr. Sanjiv Kumar Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of HCL, and Mr. Ruben Alvarado Vigar, CEO of CODELCO.

In a landmark step toward international mining cooperation, Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), India’s premier copper-producing public sector enterprise, formally welcomed a high-level delegation from CODELCO (Corporación Nacional del Cobre de Chile), the world’s largest copper-producing company owned by the Government of Chile. This marks the beginning of an intensive, three-week-long technical engagement between the two national copper giants.

Strategic Collaboration to Reshape Copper Industry Landscape

The visit stems from a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier this year on April 1, 2025, in the presence of Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Chilean President Mr. Gabriel Boric Font. The MoU lays the foundation for a collaborative framework aimed at knowledge sharing, technological exchange, and workforce development across key areas of copper mining and mineral beneficiation.

The agreement was formally signed by Mr. Sanjiv Kumar Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of HCL, and Mr. Ruben Alvarado Vigar, CEO of CODELCO. It is the first such mission of its kind in India involving a global mining major of CODELCO’s scale, and signals India’s growing interest in harnessing international expertise to modernize its mining sector.

Focused Expertise: CODELCO Delegation Members and Roles

The delegation from CODELCO brings with it a wealth of experience in various advanced mining disciplines. The five-member expert team includes:

1. Angelo Giovanni Giuseppe Aguilar Catalano – Specialist in Geology & Exploration, contributing insights into subsurface mineral prospecting and resource estimation techniques.

2. Jose Ramom Abatte Perez – Expert in Innovation & Technology, focusing on smart mining systems, automation, and digitization of mining operations.

3. Carlos Abelardo Vilches Donoso – Authority in Tailing Management, offering solutions for sustainable waste disposal and reuse practices in line with global ESG standards.

4. Jorge Luis Espindola Landa – Specialist in Geotechnical Engineering, providing consultation on slope stability, underground mining safety, and structural analysis.

5. Sergio Jonathan Pichott Heriquez – Skilled in Geometallurgy, integrating geological and metallurgical data for optimizing ore processing and recovery.

Their nationwide itinerary includes site visits to all HCL units — from mining sites in Malanjkhand (Madhya Pradesh) and Khetri (Rajasthan) to the smelting and refining operations in Ghatsila (Jharkhand) and other administrative offices — to conduct detailed assessments of technical processes, safety protocols, and resource management systems.

Knowledge Sharing and Value Addition: Objectives of the Visit

This pioneering initiative will serve multiple strategic goals:

• Benchmarking Operational Excellence: CODELCO’s globally recognized best practices in sustainable copper mining and processing will serve as a benchmark for HCL’s modernization roadmap.

• Capacity Building: Indian mining professionals across HCL units will benefit from on-ground training and technical workshops conducted by the CODELCO experts.

• Exploration and Resource Expansion: Insights into Chile’s world-class geological exploration frameworks will help strengthen India’s copper resource base.

• Technological Innovation: With CODELCO’s leadership in automation, AI-driven mining systems, and green energy integration, the collaboration is expected to yield innovative technology transfers.

• Sustainability and ESG Integration: Emphasis will be placed on reducing the environmental footprint of mining operations and improving social responsibility practices.

Strategic Importance for India’s Resource Security

As India scales up its infrastructure and green energy ambitions, demand for copper — essential in power transmission, electric vehicles, and renewable energy — is set to rise exponentially. The partnership with Chile, the world’s leading copper producer, strengthens India’s efforts to secure stable and sustainable copper supplies and develop indigenous technological capabilities.

HCL’s leadership emphasized that the collaboration with CODELCO will not only support India’s mining sector but also contribute to the goals outlined under the Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) mission.

Looking Ahead: Institutionalizing the Partnership

The MoU includes provisions for long-term institutional collaboration. Future phases are expected to involve joint R&D projects, development of new mining technologies, academic exchanges, and shared ESG strategies. Both companies are also exploring the possibility of forming joint ventures or special purpose vehicles for targeted mining projects in India and overseas.

With this strategic engagement, HCL and CODELCO are set to chart a new course in Indo-Chilean relations, rooted in shared technological aspirations, sustainable development, and mutual economic growth.