European Union and Latin America Bet on Sustainable and Innovative Mining to Strengthen Copper and Lithium Value Chains

In a context of accelerating energy transition, collaboration between the European Union (EU) and Latin America is consolidating as a strategic axis to ensure the sustainable supply of critical minerals such as copper and lithium. This was highlighted by specialists and authorities during the SYMPOSIUM – XVI International Mining Meeting, organized by the National Society of Mining, Oil, and Energy.

During the discussion “Opportunities to Strengthen Copper and Lithium Value Chains: Alliance between the European Union and Latin America in Sustainable Mining,” the European Union Ambassador to Peru, Jonathan Hatwell, underscored Latin America's strategic role in the global energy transition and the importance of strengthening relations between both regions.

“The energy transition is a reality well underway, and Latin America, especially Peru, plays a central role. From the EU, this is a strategic alliance where Europe contributes technology, innovation, and advanced machinery, and Peru contributes essential resources and a growing capacity to develop value chains.”, indicated Hatwell.

In turn, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Peru, Alexander Kofman, along with Eduardo Barrera, Mining Expert at the European Union's Critical Raw Materials Platform, presented a study focused on identifying opportunities to strengthen copper value chains between the European Union and Latin America.

Among the main findings, Barrera specified that “The EU has advanced capabilities in reducing water footprint, digitalization, and efficiency applied to mining, and seeks to strengthen cooperation with reliable partners like Peru to face common challenges.”.

Subsequently, an expert panel was developed that addressed the main technological and regulatory challenges of the sector. Michael Acosta, Director of Environmental Affairs for the MINEM, highlighted: “In Latin America, we are developing competitiveness and capabilities for modern, inclusive, environmentally and socially sustainable mining. Human talent is key to making this leap.”.

Pamela Antonioli, General Manager of the Mining Innovation Hub of Peru, emphasized that “Technological innovation is fundamental to achieving intelligent, circular, and territorial-focused mining. Given the gap between the demand and supply of critical minerals, we must invest in technology and continuous training.”.

Elizabeth Morales, Head of Environment and Sustainability Lead at ARCADIS, remarked that “Mining competitiveness doesn't depend solely on geological resources, but on our ability to adapt to new international standards and incorporate technologies to advance decarbonization.”.

The panel concluded that the European proposal is to support sustainable mining in Peru, based on a strategic alliance of mutual trust and technological transfer, which will create value chains with an impact for both Peruvians and Europeans. Europe's high demand for copper, estimated at 11.2 million tons, reinforces Peru's fundamental role as a strategic partner in this new phase of international mining.