The EITI Board has approved Chile’s application to join the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), making it the EITI’s 55th implementing country and the 11th in Latin America and the Caribbean. Chile submitted its application in August 2025.
Rt Hon. Helen Clark, EITI Board Chair, welcomed Chile to the EITI community: “We welcome Chile as the newest member of the EITI. This step is consistent with both Chile's status as a major player in the extractive sector globally and its commitment to transparent, responsible management of its natural resources. Chile’s participation in the EITI is a strong signal to investors and citizens that revenues from the country's critical minerals are managed with integrity. I look forward to discussing Chile’s engagement with the EITI during my forthcoming visit.”
Attracting investment through transparency
Mining is a mainstay of Chile’s economy, representing about 13% of GDP and 58% of total exports in 2022. The country has been the world’s largest copper producer since the 1980s, accounting for around 23% of global output. It is also the world’s second-largest lithium producer, responsible for about 20% of production and holding a third of global lithium reserves.
Chile’s participation in the EITI is a strong signal to investors and citizens that revenues from the country's critical minerals are managed with integrity.
Chile’s government underlined the significance of joining the EITI. Minister of Mines, Aurora Williams, stated: “Chile's accession to the EITI is excellent news, as it reinforces our commitment to transparency and good governance in mining, builds greater trust among citizens, the government and industry, and positions our country as a reliable and responsible partner in international markets.”
In April 2023, President Gabriel Boric launched Chile’s National Lithium Strategy, which pledged to join the EITI to “guarantee the highest possible level of transparency and probity in all mining industries, including lithium, in line with the most stringent international standards.”
Copper and lithium are central to global energy transitions, with copper used in renewable energy technologies and infrastructure, and lithium a key component in batteries. With Chile’s accession, more than half of global copper production and nearly a third of global lithium output now falls under the scope of EITI reporting, strengthening the EITI’s role in promoting transparency in critical mineral supply chains globally.
Chile's accession to the EITI is excellent news, as it reinforces our commitment to transparency and good governance in mining, builds greater trust among citizens, the government and industry, and positions our country as a reliable and responsible partner in international markets.
Cochilco, a technical government agency, has played a coordinating role in preparing the country to join the EITI. “Chile's incorporation into the EITI represents a unique opportunity to deepen dialogue between the state, industry and civil society. Cochilco, as the technical secretariat for the process, has taken on the challenge of leading EITI implementation with the conviction that Chilean mining can be even more open, inclusive and responsible,” said Claudia Rodríguez, Executive Vice-President of Cochilco.
Chile’s accession has also been welcomed by CODELCO, the state-owned copper mining company and a supporter of the EITI since 2011. Máximo Pacheco, Chairman of the company’s Board, stated: “Chile, a major producer of copper and lithium, faces the challenge of leading the energy transition with responsible and sustainable mining. We know that setting sustainable development goals is not enough; to be accountable and increase the credibility of our industry, we must reinforce regular and systematic reporting. That is why we value joining EITI, in line with our commitment to social trust.”
Patricio Hidalgo, CEO of Anglo American Chile, affirmed the company’s commitment to the EITI process. “As part of our sustainability vision, Anglo American is committed to corporate transparency and accountability policies, as we understand that these are the appropriate ways to build bonds of trust and legitimacy with the territories where we operate.”
Strengthening governance and public debate
By implementing the EITI Standard, Chile will disclose data on the governance of its extractive sector, including company ownership, contracts, state-owned enterprises, revenue sharing, social and environmental impacts, and other contextual information. These disclosures are expected to foster stronger public oversight and informed debate on how extractive resources are managed, helping ensure revenues support sustainable development.
As part of its candidature, Chile established a multi-stakeholder group composed of representatives from government, industry and civil society. For the first time, these constituencies will work together as they oversee EITI implementation.
For civil society, the EITI presents an opportunity to participate actively and progressively in making the mining industry and its value chain more transparent and to promote greater social justice focused on sustainable development.
“For civil society, the EITI presents an opportunity to participate actively and progressively in making the mining industry and its value chain more transparent and to promote greater social justice focused on sustainable development,” said representatives of civil society. “However, we also carry responsibility for ensuring a broad range of participation from civil society, and a constituency which is active, well-positioned, and includes the voices of citizens who directly experience the impact of the industry.”
Chile’s first EITI disclosures are expected within 18 months of admission.
