Leadership, Technology and Transformation at World Mining Congress 2026

At a defining moment for the global mining industry, the 27th World Mining Congress (WMC 2026) in Lima is positioning itself not as another conference, but as a platform for collective leadership, measurable commitments, and real transformation.

How mining delivers

The message is clear: the world faces a growing delivery crisis for critical minerals. As highlighted in the official welcome, the industry must now achieve in 10 years what historically took 30. The challenge is no longer about growth, it is about how mining delivers: faster, responsibly, and at scale.

Shifts that are shaping the future of mining

What makes WMC 2026 different is its structure. Across three focused days, the Congress is built around three interconnected shifts shaping the future of mining: project execution, unlocking existing value, and technology as an enabler of transformation.  The opening sessions immediately set the tone. Leaders such as Abraham Chahuan, Marek Cala, and the President of Peru frame the urgency of global mineral demand. Neuroscientist Beau Lotto challenges the industry to rethink perception and decision-making, while CEOs Iván Arriagada (Antofagasta) and Marna Cloete (Ivanhoe Mines) translate urgency into actionable strategy.

A key intellectual anchor of the program is Bent Flyvbjerg (Oxford University), widely recognized for his work on megaprojects. Together with Karina Gistelinck (BHP), Lucy Martin (Bechtel), and Karla Mills (Teck Resources), he addresses one of the industry’s most critical questions: why projects fail, and how to deliver them successfully and responsibly at speed.

Second day

Day two shifts toward productivity and value creation, highlighting the need to extract more from existing assets. Industry leaders including Natascha Viljoen (Newmont), Mikael Staffas (Boliden), Mark Cutifani (Odin Partnership), and Roque Benavides (Buenaventura) explore system-level efficiency, while Jorge Gómez (Collahuasi), Julia Torreblanca (SNMPE), and Iván López (BHP) address emerging risks across the value chain.

Equally important is the focus on circularity and new value streams, with Inge Hofkens (Aurubis) and Stephen D’Esposito (Resolve) examining how waste can become a strategic resource. At the same time, future competitiveness is framed through talent and innovation, with contributions from Jef Caers (Stanford University), Sonia Scarselli (Endeavour Mining), and Kurt House (KoBold Metals).

Third day

The third day turns to execution, where technology meets reality. Leaders such as Flavia Tata Nardini (Fleet Space Technologies), Tim O’Connor (BHP), and Toni Laaksonen (FLSmidth) demonstrate how advanced exploration, digitalization, and system optimization can unlock performance gains across the mining value chain. Discussions on sustainability and resource efficiency continue with Piia Karhu (Metso) and Nestor Deza (Antamina), reinforcing the role of innovation in responsible mining.

A distinctive feature of WMC 2026 is its emphasis on Socratic dialogue and cross-sector collaboration, bringing together influential voices such as Robert Friedland, Rohitesh Dhawan (ICMM), and Mark Cutifani to challenge assumptions and redefine industry thinking.

Technology enables change, but people make it happen

The Congress concludes with a powerful reminder: technology enables change, but people make it happen.

This is not about incremental improvement. It is about redefining how mining operates in a world of accelerating demand, rising expectations, and increasing complexity. From Lima, this mission will extend globally, to China (2028), Canada (2031), and India (2033), with a clear focus on measurable outcomes, not just discussion.

The mining industry is entering a new era, driven by urgency, shaped by leadership, and enabled by collaboration. The real question is no longer whether change will happen, but who will lead it.