The Sustainable Minerals Institute Chile (SMI Chile) has appointed Chilean executive Mary Valdés as its new Executive Director.
Valdés brings more than 25 years’ experience spanning academia and the mining sector, with expertise in research leadership, industry collaboration and applied innovation.
“I am deeply honoured to take on the significant challenge of leading an international research institution such as SMI Chile within Chile and across the wider region.
“I do so with a sense of responsibility and enthusiasm for working alongside a multidisciplinary team that has been contributing to more sustainable mining for years.
“At SMI Chile, we aim to expand our reach and connect global knowledge with the needs of the industry and mining regions to make a real impact,” she said.
Valdés has been based in the mining services hub and port city of Antofagasta in Chile’s north and has deep ties to the Chilean mining ecosystem. She is recognised for fostering high-impact collaborations between industry, government and universities, with concrete practical results in applied research, consultancy, technology transfer and executive training.
Most recently she co-founded and led Ecomina, a technology spin-off company aimed at supporting mining suppliers and SMEs in meeting ESG standards and regulatory compliance. She previously led the School of Mining Business at UCN.
SMI’s Director Professor Rick Valenta welcomed the appointment highlighting Valdes’ strong leadership and management skills.
“Mary demonstrates leadership that combines academic rigour and executive discipline, with a clear strength in forging collaborations that address the technical and sustainability challenges faced by the Chilean and Latin American mining industry and its stakeholders”.
“Throughout her career, she has promoted applied research clusters involving universities, mining companies and suppliers, which is fully in line with the profile we are seeking from the leader of SMI Chile,” Professor Valenta said.
“Our aim is to further strengthen collaboration with industry, academia and the government to generate a positive impact on sustainability within the mining ecosystem.”
SMI Chile was established in 2014 as part of the International Centres of Excellence Program supported by CORFO (Corporación de Fomento de la Producción) in collaboration with the Sustainable Minerals.
