Chile Copper Circularity Challenge

Chile produces about a third of the world’s copper, and that production creates massive waste streams. Millions of tonnes of tailings sit in storage, containing valuable minerals that weren’t economically recoverable when they were first processed. Water used in mining is often discarded rather than recycled. By-products that could become valuable materials are treated as waste. And all of this happens in one of the driest places on Earth—the Atacama Desert—where water scarcity makes inefficiency especially costly.

CORFO, Chile’s economic development agency, is offering up to CLP 1.8 billion (roughly $2 million USD) per consortium to transform this waste into value through circular economy innovations. This program funds consortia that can turn mining waste into resources, close water loops, recover critical minerals, and create new economic opportunities in Chile’s mining regions.

For consortia that bring together mining companies, engineering firms, research centers, and local SMEs, this program provides capital to pilot circular solutions at industrial scale. The goal is to prove that circular economy approaches can work in Chile’s mining sector, reduce environmental impacts, and create new industries and jobs in mining communities.

What makes this program distinctive is its focus on industrial-scale pilots in actual mining operations, not lab experiments. You’re deploying real technology in harsh desert conditions, proving economics work, and demonstrating that circular approaches can compete with linear extraction. Success here can influence mining practices globally.

At a Glance

What This Funding Covers

The CLP 1.8 billion supports full-scale circular economy pilots:

Tailings Valorization (CLP 720 million): Chile’s copper mines have produced billions of tonnes of tailings—the waste left after extracting copper. But these tailings still contain valuable minerals that weren’t economically recoverable with older technology. This component funds equipment and analytics for recovering copper, molybdenum, rare earths, and other valuable minerals from existing tailings, processing technology adapted to tailings chemistry, environmental remediation as tailings are reprocessed, and product development for recovered materials. Successful tailings valorization turns environmental liabilities into economic assets.

Water Circularity (CLP 540 million): In the Atacama Desert, water is more valuable than almost anywhere on Earth. This funding supports membrane technologies and desalination for treating and reusing process water, closed-loop water systems minimizing freshwater withdrawal, water quality monitoring and management systems, and integration with existing mine water infrastructure. Mines that can recycle water dramatically reduce their environmental footprint and operating costs.

Community Innovation Hubs (CLP 360 million): Circular economy shouldn’t just benefit mining companies—it should create opportunities for local communities. This component funds shared laboratories and fabrication facilities for SMEs and cooperatives, training programs for circular economy entrepreneurship, support for developing new products from mining by-products (like copper slag cement or construction materials), and business development for local circular economy ventures. The goal is diversifying mining region economies beyond extraction.

Digital Monitoring (CLP 180 million): Proving circular economy works requires data. This funding supports IoT sensors tracking material flows, water use, and emissions, AI platforms optimizing recovery processes, data systems providing transparency to regulators and investors, and reporting infrastructure for ESG (environmental, social, governance) metrics. Good data builds credibility and enables continuous improvement.

Beyond the direct funding, selected consortia get access to CORFO’s pilot facilities and innovation centers, process engineering mentorship from mining experts, commercialization support for new circular products, and connections to international investors interested in sustainable mining.

Who Should Apply

This program is designed for consortia that can deploy circular solutions at industrial scale in Chilean mining operations. You’re a good fit if:

You Have Mining Industry Relationships: This isn’t for outsiders with ideas—it’s for consortia with access to actual mining operations where you can pilot your solutions. Strong consortia include mining companies willing to host pilots, engineering firms with mining sector experience, technology providers with proven circular economy solutions, and Chilean SMEs that can participate in implementation and operations.

You Can Demonstrate Technical Feasibility: CORFO wants to fund solutions that work, not experiments. You need evidence that your approach is technically viable—lab results, pilot data from other contexts, or proven technology adapted to Chilean conditions. If you’re still figuring out if your idea works, you’re not ready for this program.

You Have Community Support: Mining regions have complex relationships with mining companies. Your consortium needs demonstrated support from local communities, mining unions, and municipalities. This means early engagement, transparent communication about benefits and risks, and credible plans for community benefit-sharing. Projects that face community opposition won’t succeed.

You Can Show Environmental Benefits: The whole point is reducing environmental impact. You need lifecycle assessments showing at least 30% waste reduction, water savings, or emissions reductions compared to current practices. Vague claims about sustainability aren’t enough—provide specific, quantified environmental benefits.

You’re Committed to Knowledge Sharing: Chile wants to build national circular economy expertise, not create proprietary black boxes. Your consortium must commit to publishing technical lessons (in Spanish and indigenous languages where relevant), sharing data openly, and contributing to Chile’s circular economy knowledge base. If your approach is “this is our secret sauce,” you’re not aligned with program goals.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

Build a Truly Integrated Consortium: The weakest applications are collections of companies that happen to work in related areas. The strongest show deep integration—mining companies committed to hosting pilots and potentially adopting solutions at scale, technology providers with proven track records, Chilean engineering firms and SMEs with local knowledge and relationships, research institutions providing technical expertise, and community representatives ensuring local benefit. Your consortium agreement should show clear roles, governance, and shared commitment.

Quantify Economics Rigorously: Circular economy has to make financial sense, not just environmental sense. Show detailed economics—capital costs, operating costs, revenue from recovered materials, payback period, and sensitivity analyses. What happens if copper prices drop? What if recovery rates are lower than expected? CORFO values realistic financial projections over optimistic assumptions.

Address Water Sustainability Explicitly: In the Atacama, water is everything. Even if your primary focus isn’t water, address how your solution affects water use. Does it reduce freshwater withdrawal? Enable water recycling? Create new water demands? Be explicit and quantitative about water impacts.

Show Pathway to Scale: CORFO is funding pilots, but they want solutions that can scale. Describe how your pilot results will inform commercial deployment, what additional investment would be needed to scale, who the potential customers or adopters are, and what barriers to scale exist and how you’ll address them. Pilots that lead nowhere aren’t valuable.

Engage Indigenous Communities Appropriately: Many mining regions have indigenous populations with rights to consultation under Chilean law (Consulta Indígena). If your project affects indigenous territories or communities, show how you’ve engaged appropriately, respected indigenous rights and knowledge, and created opportunities for indigenous participation and benefit. This isn’t optional—it’s legal and ethical requirement.

Align with Chile’s Circular Economy Roadmap: Chile has a national circular economy strategy. Reference it explicitly. Show how your project advances national goals—waste reduction, water efficiency, job creation in circular sectors, and exportable circular economy expertise. Positioning your project as contributing to national strategy strengthens your case.

Application Timeline

The August 11, 2025 deadline is for full proposals. Here’s a realistic timeline:

April 2025: Convene your consortium and submit intent to collaborate. This is a shorter document outlining your consortium members, proposed approach, and preliminary site selection. CORFO uses this to provide early feedback and potentially connect you with other applicants.

May 2025: Conduct circularity diagnostics and baseline measurements. Document current waste generation, water use, and emissions at your proposed pilot site. This baseline is essential for proving impact later.

June-July 2025: Finalize pilot designs with environmental mitigation strategies. Develop detailed engineering designs, environmental impact assessments, community engagement plans, and financial models. This is intensive technical work.

August 2025: Submit full proposal by August 11. Your application should include consortium agreements, technical designs, environmental assessments, financial projections, community support documentation, and knowledge sharing commitments.

September-October 2025: CORFO reviews applications and may conduct site visits or request additional information. Be responsive to any requests.

November 2025: Finalists present at the innovation summit in Antofagasta. This is your opportunity to pitch to CORFO, potential investors, and mining industry leaders. Strong presentations can attract additional investment beyond CORFO funding.

December 2025-Early 2026: Grant agreements finalized and pilot implementation begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can international companies participate? Yes, but the consortium lead should be a Chilean entity, and there must be significant Chilean participation (SMEs, research institutions, local firms). International companies can bring technology and expertise, but this program prioritizes building Chilean circular economy capacity.

What counts as a “mining region”? Primarily Atacama, Antofagasta, and other regions with significant copper mining. If you’re unsure whether your proposed location qualifies, contact CORFO for clarification.

Do we need a specific mine site identified? Yes, you should have at least preliminary agreement with a mining company to host your pilot. You don’t need final contracts, but you need credible commitment from a mine operator.

What if our technology isn’t proven in mining yet? You need some evidence of technical feasibility—lab results, pilots in other industries, or proven technology adapted to mining. Pure R&D without proof of concept isn’t eligible. The program funds industrial pilots, not basic research.

How much co-financing is required? CORFO typically provides matching grants, meaning you need to contribute at least 50% of project costs. This can be cash or in-kind contributions from consortium members.

What happens to intellectual property? Technology providers typically retain IP, but the consortium must share technical lessons and data openly. Your consortium agreement should clearly address IP ownership, licensing, and knowledge sharing obligations.

Can we apply for multiple projects? You can, but each needs a separate consortium and application. CORFO evaluates each project independently.

How to Apply

Ready to transform Chile’s mining waste into value? Here’s what to do:

Step 1: Assess your consortium’s readiness. Do you have mining company participation? Proven technology? Community support? If not, build these relationships before applying.

Step 2: Identify your pilot site and conduct preliminary assessment. Where will you deploy? What’s the current baseline for waste, water, and emissions?

Step 3: Formalize your consortium. Create consortium agreements defining roles, governance, IP, and benefit-sharing. Get commitment from all members.

Step 4: Engage communities early. Meet with local municipalities, unions, and indigenous communities if relevant. Build support and address concerns.

Step 5: Develop your technical designs and environmental assessments. Work with engineers and environmental specialists to create detailed plans.

Step 6: Build your financial model showing economics of your circular approach. Be realistic and include sensitivity analyses.

Step 7: Prepare your full application with all required components and submit by August 11, 2025.

Visit the official CORFO Copper Circularity Challenge page for detailed guidelines and application materials: https://www.corfo.cl/

Questions about eligibility, consortium development, or technical requirements? CORFO has established a support desk for applicants—contact information is available on their website.

Chile’s mining sector is ready for circular transformation. If you can deliver it, this program can help you prove it works and create lasting change in how mining operates.