News
Nigel Wight publishes research on new challenges facing mineral supply chains
Together with an international group of researchers, including Dr Doug Aitken and Dr Steven Micklethwaite (SMI UQ), SMI Chile researcher Nigel Wight has contributed to new scientific research addressing the security and sustainability of mineral supply for the global energy transition.
Sarah Mackenzie and Nigel Wight deliver masterclass for Vicuña Project executives
Sarah Mackenzie, Senior Manager and researcher at the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining (CSRM) at The University of Queensland, together with Dr Nigel Wight, Senior Researcher at SMI Chile, travelled to San Juan, Argentina, to deliver a masterclass for executives from the Vicuña Project, focusing on the social performance risks associated with a large-scale mining operation.
SMI Chile brings together junior mining companies to discuss territorial challenges
The meeting took place during the visit to Chile of Sarah Mackenzie, a University of Queensland expert in social responsibility in mining and aimed to foster discussion on the global context of mineral exploration and the challenges facing the sector amid growing territorial, social and environmental complexity.
Mary Valdés discusses the challenges of the new mining supercycle at ProyectMin 2026
SMI Chile Executive Director Dr. Mary Valdés took part as a panellist at ProyectMin 2026, a conference that brought together representatives from mining companies, government, industry associations, suppliers and organisations linked to the sector to discuss mining investment prospects through to 2030.
SMI-ICE-Chile collaborates with Minera Centinela on a tailings energy efficiency project
The Responsible Production and Mining Process Optimisation team began an important project with Antofagasta Minerals to increase energy and financial efficiency for the Centinela mining tailings pumping operation.
Doug Aitken presented at international seminar on water productivity in Chile and Australia
Within the framework of the Coquimbo Region’s Water Transformation Program, an interesting international seminar was held last week to analyze water productivity between Chile and Australia.
Dennis Vega presented on technologies to reduce carbon footprint and accelerate the energy transition at a congress in Perú
The leader of Responsible Production of SMI-ICE-Chile spoke at the International Congress of Metallurgical Engineering, Materials and the Environment, recently held in the city of Trujillo.
SMI-ICE-Chile researcher participates in scientific article on metal and metalloid contamination in the Atacama Desert
In collaboration with nine other nine researchers, the scientific leader of SMI-ICE-Chile, Dr. David Rubinos, participated in a study that presents interesting findings regarding how particulate matter from mining facilities is dispersed up to 70 km, posing a possible risk for the health of nearby communities.
SMI Chile and Teck Celebrate the Completion of Women’s Leadership Programme
A group of women from the coastal communities of Chanavayita, Cáñamo and Caramucho in the Province of Iquique received certificates recognising their outstanding participation in a personal development programme.
Mónica Morales and Nigel Wight presented at the “Meeting of Indigenous Communities and Peoples within the framework of the National Lithium Strategy”
Due to their extensive experience working with indigenous peoples on mining projects, both representatives of SMI-ICE-Chile were invited to speak on “Resource Governance and Indigenous Peoples” at the event co-organized by the Ministries of Mining, Social Development and Family, and by the International Labour Organization (OIT), under the leadership of UN Human Rights.
Nigel Wight publishes scientific article on Chile’s unique situation regarding lithium
In the recent edition of the journal Energy Research & Social Science, the researcher from SMI-ICE-Chile presents, along with four other experts, an interesting work on Chile’s exceptional status regarding lithium, based on the analysis of the Maricunga Salt Flat.
SMI-ICE-Chile and Teck mining company launch leadership program for women from coastal coves in the province of Iquique
The social performance teams at our Centre and at Teck have launched a personal skills development program to strengthen leadership among women living in the fishing coves of Chanavayita, Cáñamo, and Caramucho.
SMI-ICE-Chile visits the Soil and Water Chemistry Laboratory at the University of Chile
A team from the Centre met with researchers from the Department of Engineering and Soils at this university to discuss future collaborations on projects related to the restoration of sites impacted by mining and the implementation of nature-based solutions.
Daniela Gamboa’s outstanding presentation at Sustainable Mining 2025
Together with Mauricio Vera, an executive from Codelco – Salvador Division, the SMI-ICE-Chile researcher presented at one of the plenary sessions on: “Learning and reflections from the Salar de Pedernales Enhancement Plan.”
Environmental Rehabilitation Team publishes in scientific journal
As part of the Salar de Pedernales Enhancement project, researchers from SMI-ICE-Chile published a study in Plant Environment Interactions on the factors that contribute to water deficit and salinity in the main species that make up the vegetation systems of this salt flat and its surrounding streams.
Dilan Campos participates in scientific publication on impacts of changes in land use
Together with nine colleagues, the SMI-ICE-Chile researcher published an article in the scientific journal Water on the influence of changes in land use on erosion on the land surface of the Nonguén basin, in the Bío Bío Region, Chile.
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Argentina’s Secretary of Mining Meets with SMI Chile’s Senior Leadership
Luis E. Lucero, Argentina’s top mining authority, held a productive meeting with the leadership team of SMI Chile, the Director of the Sustainable Minerals Institute at The University of Queensland, and the Australian Ambassador to Chile, with the aim of exploring potential avenues for collaboration between SMI Chile — The University of Queensland’s International Centre in Chile — and Argentina’s mining ecosystem.
Francisca Rivero participates in “Women and Mining” seminar at UDD
The General Manager and Acting Executive Director of SMI Chile was one of the panellists at the event organised by the Faculty of Engineering at the Universidad del Desarrollo, which addressed the challenges and opportunities facing the mining sector in relation to...
SMI Chile marked International Women’s Day with a discussion on gender gaps in scientific research
Following the presentation of a study on the main barriers limiting women’s development in research, leading representatives from Chile’s scientific ecosystem discussed the key challenges and priorities for advancing gender equity.
SMI-ICE-Chile Holds Its 2026 Strategic Planning Retreat
In a spirit of optimism, following the significant achievements attained during 2025, the teams that make up our Centre gathered at the facilities of Universidad del Desarrollo to take stock of past progress and define strategic objectives in a context that presents major opportunities.
Francisca Rivero featured in lead article of Revista Minería Chilena
In an extensive feature published in the February edition, the General Manager and Acting Executive Director of SMI Chile was asked about the key role that collaboration among different stakeholders has come to play in the development of the mining industry.
Jacques Wiertz interviewed on tailings challenges by Reporte Minero
Dr. Jacques Wiertz was one of the experts interviewed in a feature published by the specialised media outlet Reporte Minero, entitled “Tailings and water: the new challenges of mining management in the face of climate change”.
Minería Chilena Magazine Highlights Positive 2025 Results for SMI-ICE-Chile
The specialized mining publication reports the announcement of the start of an operational phase with independent financing for our Center, following excellent results and changes in executive management. icon_documents_alt icon Read the news at the following link...
Reporte Minero informs about the new stage of SMI-ICE-Chile
The mining industry publication highlights the significant growth of our Centre in this new phase as an independent entity and under a new Executive Management.