Latin America is experiencing a moment of convergence: mining, energy, hydrogen, and digital infrastructure are attracting capital simultaneously, but a single variable can bring everything to a halt: weak regulation, legal uncertainty, or El Niño.
Permits and regulation move to the center of the mining agenda
Regional mining investment depends increasingly on governments’ ability to move projects from paper to reality. In Chile, the Sonami summit put US$100 billion (bn) in projects that require reforms on the table. At the same time, the country and Argentina are taking a new step to pave the way for cross-border projects worth US$20.7bn. In Peru, the government plans to authorize 240 mining permits in 2026, with Cajamarca leading a portfolio of US$64bn. But legal certainty and the fight against illegal mining remain prerequisites for restoring confidence and mobilizing investment.
New financial formulas sustain energy expansion
Energy projects are turning to increasingly diverse financing structures to overcome fiscal constraints and attract capital. In Mexico, CFE is seeking to mobilize US$34bn with contractors that finance projects and payments linked to future Fibra E issuances. In Colombia, Air-e received a financial lifeline for up to US$300 million (mn) and, in Argentina, projects by YPF, Pampa, TGS and TGN are seeking benefits under the RIGI.
Hydrogen and flexibility redefine the energy transition
Latin America is beginning to attract capital for clean technologies across an increasingly extensive chain. A decarbonization fund of US$350mn will mobilize multilateral resources, with 40-60% earmarked for low-carbon industries and energy. In Chile, the portfolio of hydrogen projects with environmental permits reached US$15bn and a pioneering green fertilizer project is moving forward. In addition, the expansion of renewables is shifting the investment focus from generation to system flexibility. IPS will invest US$125mn to add BESS systems to its infrastructure. Andritz Hydro believes that pumped-storage plants will dominate the next wave of investments, while thermoelectric growth aims to support a grid with a higher share of renewables.
The digital economy expands the infrastructure map
Demand for digital capacity continues to extend investment beyond traditional markets. Tivit is expanding its offering in fintech and private cloud after the spin-off of Takoda. Logicalis expects to close deals in finance, telecommunications and mining, with Paraguay gaining ground for data centers, and Silica Networks is bringing fiber optic to lithium mining in the Argentine Puna. Digital infrastructure is thus penetrating new territories and productive sectors.
El Niño
Meanwhile, El Niño is emerging as a critical factor that is reshaping investment decisions in the region. According to a special report by BNamericas, the phenomenon is amplifying the climate impact on mining operations, the water availability of energy projects, and the infrastructure costs of transportation.
OTHER HIGHLIGHTED NEWS
ELECTRIC POWER
AES doubles down with nearly US$800mn in renewable energy projects in Mexico
Equipment delays threaten transmission in Brazil
Funds requested to keep hydroelectric project in Panama active
Carbon capture and storage in Brazil: what has changed
Record power demand in Mexico pushes up prices
Funds requested to keep US$1bn hydroelectric project in Panama active
OIL AND GAS
US oil service providers target record expansion in Argentina and Brazil
As oil companies circle the new Venezuela, Cleary Gottlieb warns of risks and rewards
How a victory by Flávio Bolsonaro could impact Brazil’s oil and gas sector
Argentina and Trinidad and Tobago drive growth of regional gas production
Oil and gas: risk-averse but hungry for AI, according to Octave
Strategic nature could help Braskem petrochemical recovery
MINING AND METALS
Sovereignty and permitting: how Lula and Bolsonaro intend to deal with mining in Brazil
Divergence between Mexico and Canada threatens trilateral continuity of the USMCA
Latin America’s critical minerals among sectors favored by IDB and JICA financing agreement
Peru will fast-track 240 mining permits without lowering the bar ambiental
Ganfeng to contribute US$180mn to seal joint venture with Lithium Argentina and speed up PPG project
Quiborax signs in Chile the Kast government’s first lithium contract for a US$70mn project
INFARESTRUCTURA
Brazil’s road sector investment supercycle will continue
Peru prepares water and sanitation projects
Specialists see fiscal risk as the main obstacle to logistics infrastructure in Brazil
Tax reform raises concern among infrastructure stakeholders in Brazilil
Ties between Brazil and Mexico tighten in business
Container terminals in Brazil will receive investments
POLITICAL RISK
Project finance in Latin America: the new rules of bankability
August Political Risk Report
Kast’s mega-reform: Three levers for long-term investment in Chile
As oil companies circle the new Venezuela, Cleary Gottlieb warns of risks and rewards
Divergence between Mexico and Canada threatens the trilateral continuity of the USMCA
Latin America’s critical minerals among the sectors favored by IDB–JICA financing agreement
ICT
Energy groups seek startups and technology companies for projects
Brazilian banks foresee investment in AI and cloud
AI, costs and data center: Behind the América Móvil, Oracle and Nvidia partnership
Cloud regions in Chile and Mexico open new AWS business in the financial sector
Inside Ascenty’s search to raise capital
V.tal and Lightera debut rollable ribbon fiber in Tecto data centers
(The original version of this content was written in Spanish)
