The global map of critical minerals is shifting—not only on the supply side. New destinations are gaining prominence, driven largely by the needs of industrialization, electrification, and technological development. For Iván Arriagada, CEO of Antofagasta plc and speaker at the World Mining Congress 2026, India is beginning to consolidate its role as a new export hub.
“There are markets such as India that are growing at very high rates and represent an opportunity for producing countries,” Arriagada noted in an interview with the Peruvian Institute of Mining Engineers (IIMP).
In Peru’s case, according to the Ministry of Energy and Mines, the Asian country ranked as the leading destination for Peruvian gold, accounting for 28.1% of exports between January and December 2025.
India has also intensified negotiations and agreements with multiple jurisdictions—including Brazil, Canada, and European countries—to develop joint projects in exploration, extraction, processing, and recycling. In addition, it is holding talks with Peru and Chile to expand its access to these key resources, according to Reuters.
For Arriagada, this shift requires a rethinking of the industry’s commercial and investment strategies, in a context where demand no longer depends exclusively on traditional markets. Diversifying destinations becomes a key factor in sustaining sector growth.
“Today, technology will change the way we live, and metals are at the core of all these transformations,” he added.
Antofagasta targets exploration in Peru
In this context, mining companies are refocusing on the foundation of their business: exploration as the first step to securing mineral supply. In Antofagasta’s case, its CEO highlighted the company’s commitment to new strategic discoveries in Peru through the establishment of an exploration office in the country.
“We recently set up an exploration office with a team we already had in Chile, and we have now deployed it in Peru. We are currently identifying exploration targets that could be of interest. Peru can be a source of minerals that also enables local development,” Arriagada explained.
With new markets emerging and regions such as Latin America seeking to position themselves as strategic suppliers, the World Mining Congress 2026 will address the urgency of meeting global demand. Iván Arriagada will be among the speakers offering a global perspective on how to respond to a transforming market and seize the historic opportunity facing the mining sector.
Registrations are available on the official website: https://wmc2026.org
