In addition to an institutional stand, the Universidad Católica del Norte organizes together with SQM and the AIA the relevant seminar “Towards a sustainable future: Chile’s Role and Strategies in the global Lithium market”, which will be headed by the Minister of Mining, Aurora Williams.
With a massive participation of various of its units, as well as a relevant seminar on lithium, the Universidad Católica del Norte (UCN) is present at Exponor 2024, a world-class mining and energy fair that takes place in Antofagasta on 3 to June 6.
The northern campus implemented an institutional stand in the Gold Pavilion (modules 775 and 776) where visitors can access first-hand information about the Vice-Rector’s Office for Research and Technological Development (VRIDT) and all its centers; in addition to Lithium R&D&i, the Center for Research, Development and Innovation in Lithium Batteries of the UCN; the Regional Employment Plan; the Doctorate in Mining UCN; the General Directorate of Postgraduate Studies UCN; the Master in Business Management (MBA-UCN); and the Mining Business School (ENM-UCN). Likewise, the MAINI Scientific Equipment Unit, the Center for Technological Research on Water in the Desert (Ceitsaza) and the UCN Biotechnology Center (CBAR) are present.
At the official opening of the event held today, the rector of the UCN, Dr. Rodrigo Alda Varas, highlighted the importance for the University of being present at this event: “As pointed out by the different representatives who participated in the inauguration, we have to become aware that we are the mining capital of the country, but that we have a role to play at a global level regarding the energy transition, everything that It has to do with green mining, mining 4.0 and the entire value chain that this entails. The fact that we are present at Exponor makes us part of this challenge, in which we are trying to actively contribute both with research and with the formation of human capital for what the future of the region needs”.
SEMINAR
Likewise, the university authority invited participants to participate in the seminar “Towards a sustainable future: Role and Strategies of Chile in the global Lithium market”, which will take place this Wednesday, June 5 at 10:15 a.m. in the Cluster Room Minero 1, Exponor Molybdenum Pavilion.
The activity, organized by SQM, the Antofagasta Industrial Association (AIA) and Lithium R+D+i Center for Research, Development and Innovation in Lithium Batteries of the Universidad Católica del Norte, was planned so that the main actors of the industry address the National Lithium Strategy and its projections.
“We have a space there in which we hope to become a point of conversation regarding the challenges that the lithium industry represents for the region and for the country, to see how we are effectively capable of making a qualitative leap in the generation of value in an industry as important as this. We are going to have relevant actors from what that industry is there to be able to talk and reflect on the challenges we have and the role that each of the actors have within the territory.“explained Rector Alda.
In addition to a few words from the UCN rector, the seminar will have three blocks, the first of which is called “Consolidation of the National Lithium Strategy”, with presentations by the Minister of Mining, Aurora Williams; and the vice president of Corporate Services and Sustainability of SQM Litio, José Miguel Berguño. The regional governor of Antofagasta, Ricardo Díaz, will also participate in the conversation panel; the president of the Council of Atacameños Peoples, Alexis Romero; and the superintendent of Lithium Development of the National Mining Company (Enami), Jerónimo Verdugo. The moderator of the panel will be the Seremi of Science and Technology of the Northern Macrozone, Cristian Cuevas.
Block 2, meanwhile, will be “Lithium and Salares”, which will have a presentation by Ignacio Mehech, VP of External Affairs of Albemarle. The conversation panel will also be made up of the Salar SQM Litio Hydrogeology manager, Corrado Tore; the executive director of Corfo Antofagasta Region, Melissa Gajardo; and the director of CELIMIN of the University of Antofagasta, Mario Grageda. The director of Lithium R&D&I at the UCN, Dr. Hernán Cáceres, will act as moderator.
Finally, Block 3 “Lithium Batteries” will be developed, with the presentation of the country manager ByD Chile, Tamara Berríos. In this case, the conversation panel will also include the SQM Litio Innovation and Development Manager, Osvaldo Yáñez; the head of the Cabinet of Advisors of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Virginia Garretón; and the executive director of Fraunhofer, Frank Dinter. The vice-rector for Strategic Development and Quality of the UCN, Cristian Morales, will be the moderator.
