March 5, 2026 - In a scenario marked by geopolitical tensions and an accelerating demand for strategic minerals driven by global electrification, the mining industry faces mounting pressure to shorten development timelines. This was underscored by the President of the World Mining Congress 2026, Abraham Chahuan, who stressed that the world can no longer operate under development timeframes that are incompatible with today’s energy and technological urgency.

In a column published in Global Mining Review, Chahuan states: “Bringing a new mine into operation can take up to 40 years, according to a study by the Peruvian Institute of Economics. The world cannot afford to wait that long.”

At a time when major economies are redefining strategic alliances to secure the supply of critical minerals such as copper, lithium, silver, and zinc, the gap between rising demand and real production capacity continues to widen, while mining projects remain subject to lengthy development cycles.

Abraham Chahuan

Chahuan argues that the discussion cannot be limited to geological potential alone. “Our response must be built around three fundamental pillars: trust, technology, and transformation.” He further emphasizes that “Promoting more efficient mining, driven by human talent and innovation, is not an option; it is a global necessity.”

For the President of WMC 2026, international forums such as the Congress, to be held in Lima this June, must move beyond analysis and become platforms for concrete action, capable of addressing with rigor and vision how to produce more and better while maintaining high sustainability standards.

“Our response must be built around three fundamental pillars: trust, technology, and transformation. As business leaders, public authorities, and key industry stakeholders, we must face this challenge head-on and assume our shared responsibility,” he concluded.

As part of its agenda, the Congress will serve as a platform to advance concrete actions. In addition, it will offer specialized short courses in key areas shaping the future of the sector. Registration for both the Congress and the short courses is now available on the official website: wmc2026.org.