The Queensland Government is leading a trade mission to Chile, Peru, and Colombia to advance critical minerals collaboration with Latin America and create new opportunities for local exporters.
The state government will send a delegation to the three countries to facilitate deals with local mining equipment, technology, and services companies.
Regional Queensland businesses in the resources, mining technology, agriculture, and agriculture technology sectors are expected to benefit from the growing Latin American markets.
The trade mission falls under the recently launched Queensland-Latin America Trade and Investment Strategy 2026–2028, which highlights the mining, energy, agriculture, and education sectors as areas for potential growth in a trade relationship.
In the 2025–26 period, goods exported from Queensland to Latin America increased by 20.5% to $1.5 billion. The trade mission and broader strategy aim to build on this growing relationship.
As reported by Mining.com.au, coal has been Queensland’s largest goods export to Latin America historically, valued at $1.1 billion.
Queensland is Australia’s leading state for exports to Chile, accounting for 39.1% of the national total. Total exports to Chile from Queensland increased by 224% in the last financial year to $169.9 million.
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates says the Queensland Government is turning the state’s international relationships into “real commercial outcomes for businesses and communities”.
“Queensland businesses have the skills, products, and expertise these markets are looking for, and we want to turn that into more customers, more contracts, and more jobs back home,” Bates says.
“Latin America is a natural fit for Queensland because our economies share strengths in sectors such as resources and mining, agriculture, and education.
“By strengthening our ties within Latin America, we are strengthening the foundation for more resilient supply chains, greater market access, and stronger relationships that will deliver long-term prosperity for our state.
“Under the Crisafulli government, Queensland is open for business, investors know it, and we want our exporters competing and winning in global markets.”
Last month, the World Economic Forum released the Advancing Latin America’s Critical Minerals Potential report in collaboration with McKinsey & Company.
The report outlines the importance of establishing stronger partnerships with Latin America for its supply of copper, lithium, and other critical minerals amid growing global demand.
Global mining company Vale (NYSE:VALE) CEO Gustavo Pimenta says Latin America has a “unique opportunity to become a leading supplier of the minerals essential for the energy transition”.
“The region’s challenge — and opportunity — is to convert its exceptional geological endowment into sustainable growth, quality jobs, and shared value,” Pimenta says.
“Achieving this will depend on competitive regulatory frameworks, efficient logistics, long-term investment, and strong partnerships between the public and private sectors.”
Together, Argentina and Chile hold around 40% of global lithium reserves, while Chile and Peru hold around 30% of global copper reserves.
Brazil alone accounts for around 25% of global graphite reserves and approximately 15% of global rare earth elements.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Gladstone Ports Corporation
