Released November 17, 2025 | SUGAR LAND
en
Written by Renzo Castillo for Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)
During 2025, the pace of investment execution levelled out, especially in the number of projects that moved forward to the construction stage. This trend is expected to continue during 2026, although some recovery is anticipated in the number of projects beginning construction, driven by the rebound in global demand for critical minerals required for the energy and technology transition.
Latin America is consolidating its position as a strategic player within the global supply chain of minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, and iron--all essential for the production of batteries, electric vehicles, and clean energy technologies.
In addition to demand-related factors, the geopolitical environment has also played a decisive role. During 2025, activity was diminished by tariffs imposed by the United States, and the renewed trade tensions between the United States and China. However, a more positive outlook is now emerging, with an increase in bilateral and multilateral agreements between different countries and economic blocs. In this context, global powers such as the United States and China are seeking to strengthen their trade relations with the main producing countries in Latin America--including Chile, Peru, Argentina, and Brazil--consolidating the region's relevance as a strategic supplier of critical minerals for the global energy transition.
View the image at right for a graph showing the top 10 countries for projects in Latin America's Metals & Minerals Industry, by total investment value.
By 2026, most projects will focus on the extraction and processing of copper, lithium, iron, and gold, while nickel and rare earths are gaining importance in investment plans due to their relevance for clean technologies and energy storage. This reflects a gradual shift from a traditional focus on base metals toward a more diversified portfolio of strategic minerals.
Of the total investments, copper projects represent 37%, followed by iron projects with 12%. In third place, reflecting their growing importance, lithium projects account for 11% of total investment, which, if schedules remain on track, would represent more than US$9 billion in spending.
Highlighted projects scheduled to begin construction in 2026 include the:
View the image at right for a graph showing the top 10 countries for the 2026 kickoffs.
The new agreement between Codelco (Santiago, Chile) and SQM (Santiago) for joint lithium production marks a turning point in the national strategy and could lay the foundation for a more integrated public-private model in this segment. Despite political uncertainty, the strong global demand for copper and lithium will continue to drive new investments needed to sustain production levels and meet international energy transition commitments.
However, the Brazilian steel sector faces challenges due massive imports of steel from China, which has pressured local costs and reduced production during 2025--a trend that may extend into 2026.
It will be important to follow Brazil's geopolitical and trade agreements, especially its role within the expanded BRICS group, where partnerships with China, India, and Russia could redirect investment flows toward new copper, nickel, and rare earth projects, broadening the country's mining portfolio beyond iron.
Among Argentina's key economic measures is the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI), a program offering 30 years of fiscal stability, free currency availability, and legal protection for projects exceeding US$200 million, with the goal of attracting foreign capital in mining, energy, and infrastructure.
,br> Industrial Info is tracking more than US$19 billion in mining investments expected to begin construction in 2026, mainly focused on copper, lithium, and gold projects.
Given the pace of project development and the scale of its reserves, Argentina could surpass Chile in lithium production in the coming years. The recent financial and diplomatic support from the United States strengthens the country's potential to become a key strategic and commercial partner for the supply of critical minerals needed in the energy transition.
The outlook for 2026 appears more favorable, with the reactivation of the Tía María Project and progress in other mainly copper-related initiatives. However, the recent impeachment of President Dina Boluarte and the inauguration of the new president, José Jeri, have generated uncertainty about the continuity of mining policies.
Industrial Info is tracking more than US$7.8 billion in investments scheduled to begin construction in 2026. While copper projects account for 63% of this total, there is also an expected expansion in iron, lead, zinc, and gold projects--diversifying the country's production matrix and strengthening its mining position in the region.
By the Numbers
About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) platform helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).
Summary
Industrial Info is tracking more than 3,500 active Metals & Minerals Industry projects across Latin America, worth US$325 billion.Latin America's Metals & Minerals Project Activity
Industrial Info is tracking more than 3,500 active projects across Latin America's Metals & Minerals Industry, representing investments of more than US$325 billion. The investment structure in the region remains stable, led by Chile and Brazil, which together account for 52% of total investments, followed by Peru and Mexico, each with 16%.During 2025, the pace of investment execution levelled out, especially in the number of projects that moved forward to the construction stage. This trend is expected to continue during 2026, although some recovery is anticipated in the number of projects beginning construction, driven by the rebound in global demand for critical minerals required for the energy and technology transition.
Latin America is consolidating its position as a strategic player within the global supply chain of minerals such as copper, lithium, nickel, and iron--all essential for the production of batteries, electric vehicles, and clean energy technologies.
In addition to demand-related factors, the geopolitical environment has also played a decisive role. During 2025, activity was diminished by tariffs imposed by the United States, and the renewed trade tensions between the United States and China. However, a more positive outlook is now emerging, with an increase in bilateral and multilateral agreements between different countries and economic blocs. In this context, global powers such as the United States and China are seeking to strengthen their trade relations with the main producing countries in Latin America--including Chile, Peru, Argentina, and Brazil--consolidating the region's relevance as a strategic supplier of critical minerals for the global energy transition.
Outlook for 2026
Industrial Info is monitoring more than 1,300 Latin America metals and minerals projects scheduled to begin construction in 2026, representing a combined investment of US$77 billion. The main countries concentrating these initiatives are Chile, Brazil, Argentina, and Peru, followed by Mexico, Ecuador and Colombia.By 2026, most projects will focus on the extraction and processing of copper, lithium, iron, and gold, while nickel and rare earths are gaining importance in investment plans due to their relevance for clean technologies and energy storage. This reflects a gradual shift from a traditional focus on base metals toward a more diversified portfolio of strategic minerals.
Of the total investments, copper projects represent 37%, followed by iron projects with 12%. In third place, reflecting their growing importance, lithium projects account for 11% of total investment, which, if schedules remain on track, would represent more than US$9 billion in spending.
Highlighted projects scheduled to begin construction in 2026 include the:
- Pachón Copper Project, located in San Juan Province, Argentina, owned by Glencore (Baar, Switzerland).
- Sal de Oro Lithium Project Expansion, located in Salta, Argentina, owned by POSCO (Pohang, South Korea).
- Santo Domingo Copper Project, located in Copiapó, Chile, owned by Capstone Copper Corporation (Vancouver, British Columbia).
- Moco Verde Project, located in Bahia, Brazil, owned by Brazil Iron Trading (London, England).
Chile: Focus on Stability and Controlled Expansion
Chile remains the leading country in terms of planned investments for 2026, according to Industrial Info's project data. In recent years, mining investments in Chile slowed due to political and regulatory factors, leading to greater emphasis on expansion and optimization projects rather than new grassroot developments.The new agreement between Codelco (Santiago, Chile) and SQM (Santiago) for joint lithium production marks a turning point in the national strategy and could lay the foundation for a more integrated public-private model in this segment. Despite political uncertainty, the strong global demand for copper and lithium will continue to drive new investments needed to sustain production levels and meet international energy transition commitments.
Brazil: Strength in Iron and Mining Diversification
Brazil remains a global leader in iron ore production and continues to stand out as one of the most stable mining powers in the region. For 2026, the mining projects tracked by Industrial Info in the country represent 40% of the total regional investments scheduled to begin that year, exceeding US$20 billion.However, the Brazilian steel sector faces challenges due massive imports of steel from China, which has pressured local costs and reduced production during 2025--a trend that may extend into 2026.
It will be important to follow Brazil's geopolitical and trade agreements, especially its role within the expanded BRICS group, where partnerships with China, India, and Russia could redirect investment flows toward new copper, nickel, and rare earth projects, broadening the country's mining portfolio beyond iron.
Argentina: Momentum from Reforms and Foreign Capital
Argentina is undergoing a political and economic transformation led by President Javier Milei. The financial support provided by the U.S. Department of Treasury represents an unprecedented milestone and reinforces the pro-investment monetary policies promoted by the Trump administration.Among Argentina's key economic measures is the Incentive Regime for Large Investments (RIGI), a program offering 30 years of fiscal stability, free currency availability, and legal protection for projects exceeding US$200 million, with the goal of attracting foreign capital in mining, energy, and infrastructure.
,br> Industrial Info is tracking more than US$19 billion in mining investments expected to begin construction in 2026, mainly focused on copper, lithium, and gold projects.
Given the pace of project development and the scale of its reserves, Argentina could surpass Chile in lithium production in the coming years. The recent financial and diplomatic support from the United States strengthens the country's potential to become a key strategic and commercial partner for the supply of critical minerals needed in the energy transition.
Peru: Stability Despite Political Uncertainty
Peru remains the world's second-largest copper producer. During 2025, production remained stable compared with 2024, affected by lower performance at large mines and delays in new developments.The outlook for 2026 appears more favorable, with the reactivation of the Tía María Project and progress in other mainly copper-related initiatives. However, the recent impeachment of President Dina Boluarte and the inauguration of the new president, José Jeri, have generated uncertainty about the continuity of mining policies.
Industrial Info is tracking more than US$7.8 billion in investments scheduled to begin construction in 2026. While copper projects account for 63% of this total, there is also an expected expansion in iron, lead, zinc, and gold projects--diversifying the country's production matrix and strengthening its mining position in the region.
Conclusion
Latin America is entering a new stage in the mining industry, where the stability of its productive structure is combined with a growing global presence. The strengthening of trade relations--both with the United States and Asia--together with the adoption of more competitive regulatory frameworks and the inclusion of sustainability and traceability criteria, will be key factors in transforming the region's geological potential into sustainable long-term growth and ensuring its contribution to the global energy transition.By the Numbers
- More than 3,500 active projects worth US$325 billion: active projects in Latin America's Metals & Minerals Industry
- 52% of the investment: Chile and Brazil
- More than 1,300 projects: projects in Latin America's Metals & Minerals Industry set to kick off in 2026
- Rebound in global demand for critical minerals could drive a recovery in Latin America metals and minerals project kickoffs for 2026.
- Most projects next year will focus on extraction and processing of copper, lithium, iron, and gold.
- Chile and Brazil lead all countries in the total investment value of metals and minerals projects in Latin America.
About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) platform helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, IIR is tracking more than 200,000 current and future projects worth $17.8 trillion (USD).
