On 16 March 2026, the Chilean government introduced a National Reconstruction Bill, aimed at stimulating private industrial investment and establishing more favorable conditions for the approval of mining projects. Amid tight supply and rising mineral commodity prices, this 90-day decree measure seeks to address a nearly US$18 billion backlog of projects stalled in the permitting process across 50 pending administrative claims.
In September 2025, Chile passed a Framework Law for Sectoral Authorizations and related changes to mining and environmental legislation to streamline permit categories‚ decouple mine closure plan approvals from environmental permits, and curb speculative use of mining concessions that blocked non-mining projects. The new bill is being characterized as the political push needed to enact such structural changes, establishing statutory deadlines for agencies handling sectoral permits and appeals with the goal of reducing total permitting times.
Chile’s mining sector accounts for approximately 59% of all exports and contributes between 11%–12% of the country’s GDP and more than 20% including supply chains.
