Sustainable Minerals Institute International Centre in Chile (SMI Chile)
SMI Chile aims to position itself at the forefront of research, innovation and transfer of technologies and capabilities in the mining industry in Chile and the region. The International Centre aims to boost and complement the productivity and environmental and social management of mining operations in Chile.
Our mission is to create a new collaborative force of global mining knowledge in Chile that builds human capital, provides innovative research outcomes and makes effective transfers from technology to industry. Our vision is to fundamentally improve Chilean mining operations’ productivity and environmental management.
SMI Chile develops innovative research, technologies and training platforms to address the main challenges faced by the mining sector. Learn more about our expertise and our team.
Relationship with Chilean National Research and Development Agency
The International Centre of the renowned Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) at The University of Queensland (UQ) was established in Chile in 2014 as part of CORFO’s programme “Attraction of International Centres of Excellence in R&D for Competitiveness”.
The International Centres of Excellence (ICEs) aim to connect the productive sector with science and knowledge, complementing the capabilities of the national innovation ecosystem with the experience of internationally recognised organisations with a strong track record in technological development and knowledge transfer.
As SMI-ICE-Chile, we completed the Consolidation Stage of the International Centres of Excellence in 2025, with funding from ANID. In 2026, we began a new phase as a financially self-sustaining organisation, now operating under the name SMI Chile, while maintaining our commitment to delivering tangible, long-term benefits to the mining industry and to Chilean society.
Purpose and Vision
Purpose
Purpose
To challenge, drive and support the mining industry to make the transition to long-term sustainability through research-based solutions, knowledge and technology transfer and people development
Vision
Vision
To play a key role in generating a mining industry that contributes to global sustainability and long-term social, economic and environmental development in affected territories.
Our Values
RESPECT
We create a culture of respect by treating others with dignity, recognizing diversity and considering the needs of our employees, partners, customers and the communities we engage with.
We work with a spirit of achievement and the highest quality standards, striving to be a strategic benchmark in the sector and generate a positive impact on the mining industry and society.
We seek to support and improve the long-term social and environmental well-being of the planet, both locally and globally, by fully committing to everything we do and measuring our impact for continuous improvement.
Collaboration is the foundation of our work: we are a multidisciplinary team that seeks to build trust, listens to its partners and collaborators and establishes a relationship of reciprocity and respect in pursuit of a shared goal.
We make a commitment to our clients, partners, collaborators and colleagues to consistently align SMI-ICE-Chile’s actions with the principles in our code of ethics.
RESPETO
Generamos una cultura de respeto a través del trato digno hacia los demás, del reconocimiento de la diversidad y de la consideración de las necesidades tanto de nuestros colaboradores como de nuestros socios, clientes y de las comunidades con las que nos relacionamos.
EXCELENCIA
Trabajamos con un espíritu de superación y con los más altos estándares de calidad, con la finalidad de ser un referente estratégico en el sector y generar un impacto positivo en la industria minera y en la sociedad.
SOSTENIBILIDAD
Buscamos apoyar y mejorar el bienestar social y ambiental del planeta a largo plazo, tanto a nivel local como global, comprometiéndonos en todo lo que hacemos, y midiendo nuestro impacto para mejoras continuas.
COLABORACIÓN
Colaborar está en la base de nuestro quehacer: somos un equipo multidisciplinario que busca la generación de confianza, que escucha a sus socios y colaboradores y que establece una relación de reciprocidad y respeto en pos de un objetivo común.
ÉTICA
Nos comprometemos con clientes, socios, colaboradores y colegas a respaldar de manera coherente las acciones de SMI-ICE-Chile con nuestros principios establecidos en el código de ética.