For the president of the Epiroc parts and Services division, Nelson Trejo, it is necessary to develop a regional agreement that turns Latin America into a “cluster of mining development,” with the aim of leading the energy transition of the coming decades.

Accelerating the transformation is as important as increasing collaboration between stakeholders in the mining sector to position Latin America in the world,” said Trejo, during his participation in the 2023 Mining Expo, which is being developed in Panama City.

According to the specialist, it is estimated that by 2040 the demand for minerals will increase by 500%, due to the growth that the sector of electric vehicles, wind “Substances such as copper, nickel, cobalt and graphite are essential components in many of today’s fast-growing clean energy technologies, from wind turbines and power grids to electric vehicles,” he said.

This approach is shared by the Deputy Minister of Commerce and Industry, Omar Montilla. “Due to its high efficiency as a conductor, copper is used in renewable energy systems around the world, in the generation of solar, hydraulic, thermal and wind energy. Due to its chemical composition, copper is one of the few materials that can be recycled again and again without losing performance,” said the official, during his opening speech of the event.

Despite this, Montilla recognizes that mining is an industry that has a “substantial impact” on the environment, which makes it necessary that measures be taken to minimize the pollution generated by this item. This

together for the sake of the natural ecosystem.”

“Minera Panama has committed to abandoning coal and opting for cleaner forms of energy, such as natural gas, to feed its operations in the coming years,” he said.

According to Montilla, it is necessary for our region to consolidate itself as the “center of the future” mining, to lead an energy transition that brings development to our region.