Canadians well represented at mining trade show in Chile (May 25, 1992)

An incredible 27,000 people filed through the gates at this city’s Parque Cerrilos recently for ExpoMin ’92, one of the largest mining trade shows in the world.

Some 85 Canadian companies were among the 1,120 exhibitors representing 31 countries at the 5-day show held in mid-May. They offered Canadian products ranging from the Knelson gold concentrator to Continuous Mining Systems’ mining and construction equipment. Services as diverse as Heath and Sherwood’s diamond drilling to DOZ Consulting Group’s remote sensing were also being promoted.

The strong Canadian presence reflects the country’s high profile in the Chilean mining industry. At least 17 Canadian companies are currently active in Chile with an estimated investment of US$1.7 billion.

“Due to the volume of mining investment in Chile by Canadian companies, it was imperative to attend this show, to visit with users of our software and promote our exports,” said Peter Franklin of GEMCOM consulting. Enrique Haquin, manager of X-Ray Assay Laboratories in Santiago, says he has seen a large increase in the number of his foreign clients. His company has been active in Chile for three decades and now has 10 offices and two laboratories in the country.

Nine Canadian mining companies had displays at the show to present their current projects in Chile and elsewhere in Latin America. Included were Bema Gold (TSE), Bridger Resources (VSE), Cambior (TSE), International Mahogany (TSE), Lac Minerals (TSE), Noranda (TSE), Placer Dome (TSE) and Rio Algom (TSE).