From copper to construction and salmon to solar farms, Chile's industrial landscape is a powerhouse of staggering scale and global influence, fueled by impressive statistics like providing 27% of the world's copper, ranking second in lithium production, and powering a diverse, thriving manufacturing sector.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Chile's copper mining production reached 5,360,362 metric tons, accounting for 27% of the world's total copper output.
- Chile holds the largest proven copper reserves globally, estimated at 190 million metric tons as of 2023.
- Codelco, Chile's state-owned copper company, produced 1,325,000 metric tons of fine copper in 2022.
- Chile's manufacturing sector output grew 2.1% in 2022, reaching CLP 25.4 trillion.
- Food and beverage manufacturing accounted for 28% of industrial production in 2023.
- Chile produced 1.2 million tons of salmon in 2022, world's second-largest exporter.
- Chile's installed electricity capacity reached 28,500 MW in 2022.
- Hydroelectric generation accounted for 27% of total electricity in 2022, producing 16,000 GWh.
- Chile added 2,500 MW of solar PV capacity in 2022.
- Construction investment in Chile totaled CLP 12 trillion in 2022.
- Building permits issued grew 8% to 120,000 units in 2022.
- Residential construction starts reached 250,000 m² monthly average in 2023.
- Chile's chemical industry production index rose 3.2% in 2022.
- Forestry exports reached $8.5 billion in 2022, led by pulp and sawnwood.
- Lithium carbonate production capacity expansions to 200,000 tons by 2025.
Chile's economy thrives on massive copper production and growing manufacturing diversity.
Construction Industry
- Construction investment in Chile totaled CLP 12 trillion in 2022.
- Building permits issued grew 8% to 120,000 units in 2022.
- Residential construction starts reached 250,000 m² monthly average in 2023.
- Infrastructure projects under public concessions valued at $20 billion in 2023.
- Cement consumption was 7.5 million tons in 2022.
- Highway construction added 500 km in 2022.
- Construction employment was 850,000 jobs in Q4 2022.
- Public works spending increased 15% to CLP 4 trillion in 2022.
- Housing deficit stands at 600,000 units as of 2023.
- Steel rebar use in construction was 1.2 million tons in 2022.
- Airport expansions invested $1 billion from 2020-2023.
- Metro de Santiago added 10 km of lines in 2022.
- Port expansion at San Antonio handled $2 billion investment.
- Construction costs index rose 12% in 2022.
- Non-residential construction grew 5% in floor area to 15 million m².
- Water infrastructure projects totaled $500 million in 2022.
- Renewable energy plant construction added 3 GW capacity in 2022.
- Mining camp construction boomed with 50 new projects.
- Commercial real estate deliveries were 400,000 m² in 2022.
- Road paving increased by 1,000 km in 2022.
- Construction productivity grew 1.8% in 2022.
- Hospital construction projects numbered 20, investing $3 billion.
- Industrial parks developed 500 hectares in 2022.
- Timber frame housing rose to 20% of new builds in 2023.
- Construction sector contributed 6.5% to GDP in 2022.
Construction Industry Interpretation
While Chile’s construction sector is boldly paving its way forward with impressive investments and growth, it must also urgently build a bridge to address the stubborn 600,000-unit housing deficit that shadows its progress.
Energy Sector
- Chile's installed electricity capacity reached 28,500 MW in 2022.
- Hydroelectric generation accounted for 27% of total electricity in 2022, producing 16,000 GWh.
- Chile added 2,500 MW of solar PV capacity in 2022.
- Natural gas imports were 5.2 billion cubic meters in 2022.
- Coal-fired power plants generated 12,000 GWh in 2022, 20% of total.
- Wind power capacity reached 3,000 MW by end of 2023.
- Chile's electricity consumption grew 2.5% to 78,000 GWh in 2022.
- LNG imports totaled 4.5 million tons in 2022.
- Geothermal exploration projects numbered 5 in 2023.
- Bioenergy contributed 5% to electricity mix in 2022, 4,000 GWh.
- Transmission losses were 5.8% of total generation in 2022.
- Chile aims for 70% renewable energy by 2050, with 32% achieved in 2022.
- Oil refining capacity at ENAP refineries is 235,000 barrels per day.
- Diesel fuel production was 12 million cubic meters in 2022.
- Electricity exports to Argentina were 1,200 GWh in 2022.
- Green hydrogen projects total 15 GW in pipeline as of 2023.
- Residential electricity tariffs averaged CLP 150/kWh in 2023.
- Pumped storage hydro capacity is 1,280 MW.
- Solar thermal capacity added 200 MW in 2022.
- Energy intensity of GDP was 0.12 toe/1,000 USD in 2022.
- Final energy consumption by industry was 35% in 2022.
- Electrification rate reached 99.8% nationwide in 2023.
Energy Sector Interpretation
Chile's energy sector is running a high-stakes relay race where hydro and solar are sprinting ahead, natural gas and coal are stubbornly refusing to pass the baton, and the entire nation is desperately hoping the baton of energy transition doesn't get dropped before they reach that 70% renewable finish line.
Manufacturing Sector
- Chile's manufacturing sector output grew 2.1% in 2022, reaching CLP 25.4 trillion.
- Food and beverage manufacturing accounted for 28% of industrial production in 2023.
- Chile produced 1.2 million tons of salmon in 2022, world's second-largest exporter.
- Chemical industry output was CLP 4.5 trillion in 2022.
- Textiles and apparel exports totaled $2.8 billion in 2022.
- Chile's pulp production reached 5.5 million tons in 2022.
- Metal products manufacturing grew 4% in 2023.
- Wine production was 1.3 billion liters in 2023, exporting $1.2 billion.
- Cement production totaled 7.2 million tons in 2022.
- Automotive parts manufacturing employed 15,000 workers in 2022.
- Fishmeal production was 1.1 million tons in 2022.
- Paper manufacturing output increased 3.5% to 4.8 million tons in 2022.
- Plastics industry produced 800,000 tons in 2022.
- Furniture manufacturing exports reached $500 million in 2022.
- Steel production was 1.6 million tons in 2022.
- Dairy processing output was 3.5 billion liters in 2022.
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing grew 6% to CLP 1.2 trillion in 2022.
- Wood products manufacturing contributed 5% to industrial GDP in 2022.
- Canned fruit exports totaled 400,000 tons in 2022.
- Leather goods production was valued at CLP 300 billion in 2022.
- Glass manufacturing output reached 500,000 tons in 2022.
- Bakery products manufacturing sector employed 100,000 people in 2022.
- Aluminum fabrication grew 2.5% in 2023.
- Tobacco products manufacturing revenue was CLP 800 billion in 2022.
- Electronics assembly exports increased 15% to $1 billion in 2022.
- Sugar processing produced 120,000 tons in 2022.
- Tires manufacturing output was 5 million units in 2022.
- Paints and coatings industry sales reached CLP 500 billion in 2022.
Manufacturing Sector Interpretation
Chile's industrial economy is a robust and diverse feast, where the nation pours a world-class glass of wine, plates up a massive salmon fillet, and builds the sturdy table to serve it on, all while quietly tailoring a global wardrobe and bottling its success in pharmaceuticals.
Mining Industry
- In 2022, Chile's copper mining production reached 5,360,362 metric tons, accounting for 27% of the world's total copper output.
- Chile holds the largest proven copper reserves globally, estimated at 190 million metric tons as of 2023.
- Codelco, Chile's state-owned copper company, produced 1,325,000 metric tons of fine copper in 2022.
- In 2023, Chile's lithium production was 44,000 metric tons, making it the second-largest producer worldwide.
- Gold production in Chile totaled 34 tons in 2022, primarily from mines in the Atacama region.
- Chile exported $45.7 billion worth of copper ores and concentrates in 2022, representing 50.3% of total exports.
- The Escondida mine, operated by BHP, produced 1,080,000 metric tons of copper in 2022.
- Molybdenum production in Chile reached 42,000 metric tons in 2022, 35% of global supply.
- Chile's iron ore production was 12.5 million metric tons in 2022, mainly from the north.
- In 2023, silver output from Chilean mines was 1,300 metric tons.
- Collahuasi mine contributed 283,000 metric tons of copper in 2022.
- Chile's mining sector employed 220,000 direct workers in 2022.
- Los Bronces mine produced 380,000 tons of copper concentrate in 2022.
- In Q1 2024, copper production grew 5.2% year-over-year to 1.4 million tons.
- Chile has 42 copper mining projects in development stage as of 2023.
- Antofagasta Minerals produced 660,800 tons of copper in 2022.
- Mining investments in Chile totaled $4.5 billion in 2022.
- El Teniente mine, world's largest underground copper mine, produced 390,000 tons in 2022.
- Chile's iodine production was 13,000 tons in 2022, 40% of global market.
- Radomiro Tomic mine output was 350,000 tons of copper in 2022.
- Mining exports grew 12% to $65 billion in 2022.
- Chuquicamata mine transitioned to underground, producing 320,000 tons in 2022.
- Chile discovered 1.2 billion tons of new copper resources in 2023.
- Zinc production reached 45,000 tons in 2022.
- Quebrada Blanca Phase 2 mine started production, targeting 230,000 tons annually.
- Mining R&D investment was $150 million in 2022.
- Spence mine expansion added 190,000 tons capacity by 2023.
- Chile's copper smelting capacity is 1.8 million tons per year.
- Los Pelambres mine produced 400,000 tons of copper in 2022.
- Mining sector contributed 13.6% to Chile's GDP in 2022.
Mining Industry Interpretation
Chile clearly runs on copper, but its industrial engine is impressively gilded with lithium, gold, and a periodic table's worth of other minerals, making its economy not just a one-trick pony but a heavily laden, world-dominating pack mule.
Other Industries
- Chile's chemical industry production index rose 3.2% in 2022.
- Forestry exports reached $8.5 billion in 2022, led by pulp and sawnwood.
- Lithium carbonate production capacity expansions to 200,000 tons by 2025.
- Fertilizer manufacturing output was 1.5 million tons in 2022.
- Aquaculture feed production totaled 1.8 million tons in 2022.
- Printing and publishing industry revenue CLP 400 billion in 2022.
- Jewelry manufacturing from copper exports $200 million.
- Cosmetics production grew 7% to CLP 300 billion in 2022.
- Rubber products manufacturing output 150,000 tons in 2022.
- Shipbuilding delivered 5 vessels in 2022, tonnage 20,000 GT.
- Biotechnology firms in industry numbered 50 in 2023.
- Explosives for mining production was 100,000 tons in 2022.
- Non-metallic minerals processing grew 4% in 2022.
- Precision instruments manufacturing exports $150 million.
- Organic products processing reached 500,000 tons in 2022.
- Toys and games manufacturing output CLP 100 billion.
- Medical devices production increased 10% in 2022.
- Adhesives and sealants industry sales CLP 200 billion.
- Sports equipment manufacturing exports $80 million in 2022.
- Nanotechnology applications in industry: 20 projects funded.
- Recycled plastics processing: 300,000 tons annually.
- Craft beer production reached 50 million liters in 2022.
- 3D printing services in industry grew 25% in 2023.
Other Industries Interpretation
Chile’s industrial landscape is a masterful blend of might and whimsy, building ships and explosives for its mining empire while also carefully brewing craft beer, printing bespoke gadgets, and transforming its copper into surprisingly elegant jewelry.
Sources & References
- Reference 1COCHILCOcochilco.clVisit source
- Reference 2USGSusgs.govVisit source
- Reference 3CODELCOcodelco.comVisit source
- Reference 4CMMcmm.orgVisit source
- Reference 5OECoec.worldVisit source
- Reference 6BHPbhp.comVisit source
- Reference 7COLLAHUASIcollahuasi.clVisit source
- Reference 8INEine.gob.clVisit source
- Reference 9ANGLOAMERICANangloamerican.comVisit source
- Reference 10AMINERALSaminerals.clVisit source
- Reference 11SONAMIsonami.clVisit source
- Reference 12BCENTRALbcentral.clVisit source
- Reference 13TASEKOMINERALStasekominerals.comVisit source
- Reference 14AMSAamsa.clVisit source
- Reference 15SI3si3.bcentral.clVisit source
- Reference 16SERNAPESCAsernapesca.clVisit source
- Reference 17ARAUCOarauco.clVisit source
- Reference 18PROCHILEprochile.gob.clVisit source
- Reference 19ANFAanfa.clVisit source
- Reference 20CM PCcm pc.clVisit source
- Reference 21ASIPACKasipack.clVisit source
- Reference 22CAPIScapis.clVisit source
- Reference 23ODEPAodepa.gob.clVisit source
- Reference 24VIDRIOSCHILEvidrioschile.clVisit source
- Reference 25ANEFAanefa.clVisit source
- Reference 26CNEcne.clVisit source
- Reference 27ENERGIAenergia.gob.clVisit source
- Reference 28ENAMIenami.clVisit source
- Reference 29MINENERGIAminenergia.clVisit source
- Reference 30ENGIEengie.clVisit source
- Reference 31ENAPenap.clVisit source
- Reference 32COCHcoch.clVisit source
- Reference 33CAMARAcamara.clVisit source
- Reference 34MINVUminvu.gob.clVisit source
- Reference 35MOPmop.gob.clVisit source
- Reference 36ANACanac.clVisit source
- Reference 37MTTmtt.gob.clVisit source
- Reference 38DIPRESdipres.gob.clVisit source
- Reference 39CAMIScamis.clVisit source
- Reference 40AEROPUERTOSCHILEaeropuertoschile.clVisit source
- Reference 41METROmetro.clVisit source
- Reference 42PUERTOASANANTONIOpuertoasanantonio.clVisit source
- Reference 43MINSALminsal.clVisit source
- Reference 44CORFOcorfo.clVisit source
- Reference 45INFORinfor.clVisit source
- Reference 46SERNAGEOMINsernageomin.clVisit source
- Reference 47SALMONCHILEsalmonchile.clVisit source
- Reference 48COSMEXcosmex.clVisit source
- Reference 49ASIMARasimar.clVisit source
- Reference 50EPRCERROVERDEeprcerroverde.clVisit source
- Reference 51ACHCachc.clVisit source
- Reference 52RECICLADORESrecicladores.clVisit source
- Reference 53CERVECEROScerveceros.clVisit source