Latin American mining is experiencing an exceptional moment given the excellent outlook for copper and lithium. Alongside the favorable prices for the red metal, there are significant investment plans to exploit the continent's lithium reserves.

By Rockwell Automation

To leverage these projections, it is necessary for both sectors to drive sustainability goals through robust digital solutions, also considering some key aspects that are shaping the future of mining. These and other topics were analyzed at ROKTop Argentina, an event organized by Rockwell Automation to discuss the scope of technology, innovation, and their impact on this productive sector.

At the event, which brought together various industry players, Luciano Marrazzo, Regional Director for the Southern Cone of Rockwell Automation, highlighted this favorable context along with the four megatrends that promise to define the future of mining at the regional level. These trends include demographic change, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, autonomous control, energy transition and sustainability.

"All these factors are very relevant. For example, in relation to demographic change, 91% of companies expect to increase or maintain their workforce due to the adoption of technology. The real challenge then lies in talent retention. Regarding the energy transition and sustainability, 86% of companies in LATAM have ESG policies, highlighting the importance of having measures oriented towards sustainable management. Although these elements affect all industries in general, mining is no exception, which is why it is driving various strategies to address these and other related realities," said the executive.

Marrazzo also emphasized the need to increase mining development, which needs to be boosted sixfold according to various experts. "Copper is a great promise for Argentina, with significant potential as a producer. In fact, it could reach the fifth position worldwide," noted the specialist.

Finally, the event showcased specific use cases of how sustainability can also positively impact the financial performance of organizations and how regulatory factors influence this scenario.