Cartels' growing impact on mining in South America, ft MINING[dot]com's Cecilia Jamasmie

This episode of The Northern Miner Podcast explores the growing geopolitical and security challenges facing the mining industry in South America, with a deep dive into the rise of cartels and criminal activity impacting mining operations in Bolivia, Chile, and Colombia. Host Adrian Pocabelli begins with global energy developments, including China's push for a new energy system and the impact of the Iran war on critical metals like aluminum, copper, and sulfur. The central focus then shifts to an in-depth interview with Cecilia Jemazmi, Editor-in-Chief of Mining.com, who details a regional trend of political realignment from left to right across Latin America—driven by rising crime, economic instability, and public demand for law and order. This shift is creating new investment opportunities, particularly in Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia, where pro-business governments are attracting foreign capital. However, challenges remain: Bolivia struggles with governance and technical hurdles in its lithium sector, Chile faces a decade-long permitting backlog despite new political momentum, and Colombia battles rampant illegal mining that now surpasses narcotics in revenue. The episode underscores that while South America holds vast mineral wealth, the region’s ability to translate that potential into reliable supply depends not on ideology but on consistent policy execution, security, and regulatory clarity. Brazil stands out as a pragmatic outlier, balancing leftist leadership with strategic U.S. partnerships in rare earths and critical minerals. Key takeaways include: 1) The rise of cartels and crime is now a major factor in mining investment decisions across South America; 2) Political shifts toward the right are driven by public demand for security and economic stability, not just ideology; 3) Regulatory delays—especially in Chile—can stall even the most promising projects; 4) Illegal mining in Colombia is now a bigger economic threat than narcotics; 5) Brazil’s pragmatic approach to foreign investment, despite political rhetoric, makes it a key player in critical minerals; 6) The U.S.-China geopolitical rivalry is directly influencing mining deals and investment flows in the region; 7) Countries must deliver on promises of stability and permitting to attract long-term capital; 8) The future of South American mining hinges on execution, not just resource endowment.