Mineral exploration in South America continues to grow at a moderate yet steady pace. Fernando Rivera, geologist and member of the proEXPLO 2026 Organizing Committee, emphasizes that the region has maintained consistent momentum in recent years.
In 2023, exploration spending in South America increased by 12%. Moreover, nearly half of the global copper exploration budget was invested in the region. Looking ahead, projections indicate annual growth in exploration investment of between 5% and 6% through 2033.
As per the press release, this sustained expansion confirms South America’s strategic importance in the global search for critical minerals, particularly copper.
However, Rivera stresses that maintaining this trajectory requires decisive action. Governments and stakeholders must strengthen regulatory and social certainty, establish clear rules, and ensure predictable permitting processes. At the same time, companies must adopt new technologies and improve access to high-quality geological data to accelerate decision-making.
Exploring Better and Deeper
At the technical level, exploration strategies are also evolving. Drawing on his experience at Antofagasta Minerals, Rivera explains that companies are increasingly targeting deeper deposits with higher technical risk. They support these efforts with advanced tools, integrated geological models, and improved data analysis.
Projects such as Filo del Sol, Alpala, Cachorro, and Encierro featured at the Core Shack demonstrate the significant mineral potential associated with this exploration approach. These initiatives highlight how innovation and technical rigor can unlock new discoveries across diverse geological environments in South America.
By combining deeper exploration with cutting-edge methodologies, companies enhance their ability to identify large-scale deposits that traditional surface-focused exploration might overlook.
The Core Shack: A Strategic Technical Platform
Rivera explains that the Core Shack was designed as a high-level technical forum where drill core serves as the focal point of discussion. This platform allows geologists and industry professionals to compare geological models, validate targeting criteria, and evaluate exploration risks and opportunities based on tangible evidence.
Through this initiative, organizers promote in-depth technical dialogue grounded in real geological data. As a result, they strengthen collaboration among industry players and encourage knowledge exchange across borders.
For the 2026 edition, 16 of the 20 available project slots have already been confirmed. Organizers selected these projects using clear technical criteria. They prioritized recent and relevant regional discoveries in advanced exploration stages, while also highlighting high-quality early-stage projects in Peru. Consequently, the exhibition will showcase both consolidated results and emerging opportunities.
A Regional Vision with Global Impact
The participation of projects from Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Peru provides a comprehensive regional perspective. This diversity integrates multiple geological settings and mineralization styles, reflecting a broad range of metallogenetic environments.
By presenting this comparative view, the Core Shack enriches technical analysis and expands attendees’ understanding of South America’s exploration potential.
Ultimately, proEXPLO 2026 reaffirms its role as a critical technical platform. It fosters knowledge exchange, encourages rigorous debate, and supports the discoveries that will shape the future of mineral exploration in the region.
