Alexandre Nomine, the Head of International Relations Office of Mines Nancy, representing the academic community, participated in the delegation led by French Minister for Trade Olivier Becht during their visit to Chile on 8-9 June.
The delegation also included representatives from various French entities involved in the mining value chain: research operators such as the French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and the French Geological and Mining Research Bureau (BRGM), specialized extraction companies like Eramet, Geolith, and Adionics, as well as companies specializing in the valorization and utilization of metals such as Blue Solutions, Stellantis, Nexans, and Vridian Lithium. Two representatives from the banking sector involved in financing the industry, namely Société Générale and Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking, were also part of the delegation.
The purpose of the visit was to strengthen business cooperation between the two nations and promote investments that support common environmental objectives. Leveraging France’s longstanding presence in Chile, which boasts nearly 300 subsidiaries operating in strategic sectors, the delegation aimed to forge closer ties.
One of the highlights of the visit was the signing ceremony of two FASEP cooperation agreements on critical metals, in the presence of Chilean Minister of Mines Marcela Hernando. Notably, a partnership between Blue Solutions, CEA-Liten, and the Chilean Copper Commission will lay the groundwork for the potential production of electric buses in Chile, and the one between MICR’EAU, H2SYS and the National Mining Company, which will support the deployment of a technical solution for autonomous energy production.
In addition to governmental engagements, the delegation actively sought opportunities to strengthen collaboration in the academic realm. Mines Nancy, representing the University of Lorraine, showcased its academic excellence in Mining & Mineral Engineering.
Recognizing the significance of talent exchange and knowledge sharing, the University of Lorraine expressed its eagerness to establish a student and researcher exchange program with the leading Chilean universities. This program, potentially in collaboration with French and Chilean companies, will aim to combine academic expertise with industry knowledge to promote innovation and sustainable development in both nations.
The delegation engaged in discussions with Federico Bernardelli, the Head of International Cooperation at the Ministry of Energy, and Loïc Lespagnol, a French expert at the Ministry of Energy, to explore possibilities for cooperation in energy supply and the decarbonization of the mining sector. These discussions underlined the importance of aligning academic research with industry needs to drive sustainable practices.
Furthermore, the visit included an exchange with members of the Chilean Committee of French Foreign Trade Advisors (CCEF) and a reception for the French community at the Maison de France, facilitating close interactions and fostering stronger connections within the French community in Chile. The delegation also met with the Responsible Mining Task Force of the French Business Development Club in Chile, in collaboration with the Franco-Chilean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIFC), to delve into sustainable mining practices and explore potential avenues for collaboration.
Throughout the visit, discussions with key Chilean stakeholders in the strategic metals sector, including ENAMI, CODELCO, COCHILCO, Consejo Minero, Sonami, Molymet, CAP, and SQM, further showcased the potential advantages that a partnership between France and Chile could bring.
