Sonami Group warns from Chile´s planned glacier bill
The new law could put many of Chilean´s miners out of business.
Ethan Lewis (EL)October 5, 2026
Chile's world-leading copper industry could shut down some of its mines if a law to protect glaciers continues its way through Congress at an early stage, Chilean mining trading group Sonami said on Monday. Diego Hernández, president of Sonami, which represents mining companies like BHP, Anglo-Americans and Antofagasta, urged lawmakers to scrutinize the science of glaciers before passing the law.
"We believe that \[the bill\] is against the interests of our country," Hernández said in a statement. He warned of "growing concern" among miners about the bill. Chile, worldwide number 1 among copper producers and number 2 among producers of battery metal lithium, depends on exports from the mines for up to 15% of its gross domestic product. Many of its largest mines are located high in the Andes, a mountain range rich in glaciers.
The present bill, which has not yet been passed by the committee, prohibits mining and other activities in areas classified as glaciers, their surroundings and permafrost. The crux of the current debate is to define which types of glaciers need to be protected and how much of the land around them should be saved to ensure their survival. Corporations and miners argue that the current bill is too general about the types of frozen land it protects, putting mines at risk, which they say will not harm glaciers. However, environmental groups say existing legislation does not adequately protect Chile's glaciers and warn of the potential impact on the country's water supply if the consequences of climate change intensify.
Sonamis Hernandez said miners were particularly concerned that the retrospective nature of the current law could threaten the now-active mines and oblige Chile to compensate investors. The glaciers of mainland Chile range from the dry high Andes in the north to the vast southern ice fields of the southernmost parts of Patagonia.
