Chile and Australia sealed agreement to strengthen mining explorations
03-Jul-2012 Mining Ministry – News
– Ministries of Mining of both countries subscribed a cooperation agreement on geologic and exploration matters
– Bilateral agreement represents acknowledgement to mining industry relevance for both economies in Chile and Australia
Hernán de Solminihac, Mining Minister, Pedro Pablo Díaz, Chilean Ambassador, and Tom Koutsantonis, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy representing South Australia, signed today a cooperation agreement on geologic and exploration matters.
BHP Billiton and Antofagasta Minerals have projects in this Australian region. Besides it must also be mentioned the important development of mining exploration resulting from the investments made in geophysics that have provided relevant information on mine deposits in the region.
“The agreement made with South Australia will help us boost exchange of scientific and technical information in order to foster efficient and sustainable development of mining resources. This also represents an acknowledgement to mining industry relevance for both economies in Chile and Australia”, Solminihac asserted.
The Minister added the agreement also includes, amongst other matters, sharing geological reports and data as well as the possibility for professionals exchange in order to provide support to develop this industry area.
Besides, the State officer added that funding initiatives are being worked on for mining exploration issues.
This agreement adds to the one signed last year by Minister Solminihac with Australia Energy and Natural Resources Ministry which has promoted close cooperation in research and development activities in the sector.
At the end of the visit to Australia, Minister has scheduled to meet in Melbourne with CEO’s of Australian mining companies that have important operations in Chile.
Afterwards, in Sydney, Solminihac will held a meeting with Australian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Martin Ferguson, in order to check investment and regulation processes applicable to both nations.
