As part of a mission to Chile and other countries in Latin America, the Hon. Minister Ros Bates officially launched the advanced mining training programme of the Sustainable Minerals Institute International Centre at The University of Queensland in Chile.
Queensland Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training, Ros Bates, led the launch ceremony, accompanied by a delegation from Trade and Investment Queensland (TIQ), the Queensland Government agency responsible for promoting international trade and investment, and the Australian Ambassador to Chile, H.E. Andrew Martin.
The Queensland delegation joined SMI Chile’s executive team and representatives from the mining industry, academia and the public sector who collaborate with the Centre through a range of projects.
Minister Bates’ participation in the launch in Chile forms part of a mission to Latin America under the Queensland–Latin America Trade and Investment Strategy 2026–2028. The strategy provides a roadmap for Queensland exporters and investors to access opportunities in the region’s major economies.
The Advanced Training Centre is a new initiative by SMI Chile in partnership with The University of Queensland. In its first stage, it will offer a comprehensive education programme aimed at strengthening the capabilities of mining professionals and key stakeholders in areas including responsible production and the optimisation of mining processes, social performance and resource governance, environmental management of mining projects, and occupational health, safety and wellbeing.
“This launch represents a milestone for our Centre and is also aligned with the knowledge, expertise and value proposition of the Sustainable Minerals Institute at UQ in Australia,” said Mary Valdés, Executive Director of SMI Chile. “This educational offering reflects our commitment to the development of sustainable, responsible and innovative mining in Chile and the region. Being able to commence this initiative in the presence of Minister Ros Bates and Ambassador Andrew Martin provides significant encouragement for our work.”
Over the past two years, SMI Chile has trained more than 600 professionals in Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Peru, establishing partnerships with Universidad del Desarrollo, INACAP and Universidad Católica de Salta (UCASAL) in Argentina.
“It is very encouraging to see first-hand the close collaboration between Chile and The University of Queensland, with the aim of contributing to sustainable, innovative and responsible mining,” said Minister Bates. “This new SMI Chile initiative strengthens mining collaboration between Australia and Chile, supports the export of education and training services, and creates a platform for Queensland’s Mining Equipment, Technology and Services (METS) industry to continue developing in Chile. We thank the Government of Chile for its support in enabling the *Sustainable Minerals Institute* at UQ to commence operations in the country, demonstrating the strong partnership between Queensland and Chile.”
In this context, Minister Bates highlighted that Queensland is Australia’s leading exporter to Chile, accounting for 39.1% of Australia’s goods exports to the South American country, with a 224% increase over the past year. “The launch of this advanced training programme for mining professionals is undoubtedly a valuable contribution in this direction,” she emphasised.
Australian Ambassador to Chile Andrew Martin, meanwhile, highlighted the close collaboration between Australia and Chile in education, science and mining. “This new advanced mining training programme,” he said, “confirms SMI Chile’s role as a meeting point for Australian and Chilean knowledge, where we hope to develop capabilities that contribute to the mining industries on both sides of the Pacific.”
The Sustainable Minerals Institute International Centre at The University of Queensland in Chile (SMI Chile) seeks to contribute to addressing the major challenges facing the mining industry through research-based solutions and capabilities developed in affected territories, thereby generating social value and benefits for their inhabitants.
With 12 years of experience in Chile, SMI Chile — The University of Queensland’s International Centre in Chile — has delivered more than 80 projects with the mining industry. It currently has a portfolio of 19 projects worth more than US$12 million and a network of 70 strategic partners across the mining industry, academia and the public sector.
More information about this new programme:
