Chilean Mining Minister Baldo Prokurica, on Friday agreed to jointly collaborate with the European Union (EU) to incorporate new technologies into the country's mining industry, mainly the exploration of lithium, according to Xinhua.
Prokurica met with the EU delegation headed by Neven Mimica, EU's commissioner for International Cooperation and Development and the EU's ambassador to Chile, Stella Zervoudaki.
The minister explained Chile's need to apply new technologies to increase the industry's economic output, strengthen safety, raise efficiency and tighten cybersecurity.
According to Prokurica, technology has already offered advances to the nation's mining industry, such as automation, "Now we have 330-ton trucks that are driven by GPS."
"The use of remote on-site controls allow mining processes to be managed from a distance, which is why it is important that Chile has sound cybersecurity," he added.
Outlining the EU's stance, Zervoudaki said that cybersecurity and technology are issues already under discussion at an international level and meetings could be held to address these matters together.
"Cybersecurity is important for everyone; some of our delegates are working in Spain, France and Germany. Today in Chile we could establish joint work," said the ambassador.
The two sides also discussed the potential that Chile has regarding lithium, commonly used in heavy industry and technology, which is vital to the Chilean economy.
They agreed that the EU could send experts to Chile to analyze the investments required to fully recognize its potential.
"Scientists and researchers could come together with those Europeans so that they could generate a value chain for lithium, which is so important for Chile," he said.
Chile is one of the major producers of lithium in the world, with an approximate annual production of 80,000 tons. The number could exceed 300,000 tons a year by 2035, according to official estimates.