Since its inception, the objective of Expomin was to promote and disseminate new investments, projects and activities of mining, discuss economic and technical knowledge associated with the extraction and operation of projects and mining projects and form an exhibition center of equipment and technology, oriented to the world mining industry.

In this context, Expomin has been a symptom of an industry in constant growth, reflecting the expansion and diversification of its markets. In this article we present the figures for every one of the versions of Expomin, reflecting the sustained growth in the last 20 years.

1990 - 2000

Expomin's story began in 1990 with a Joint Venture between the Department of Commerce of the United States and the International Fair of Santiago (FISA SA). This first fair was geared to the sample of national and U.S. origin products. The first fair, held between 15 and 20 May 1990 with the participation of 389 domestic and foreign companies, which displayed their products in an area of approximately 30 thousand square meters and was visited by more than 17 thousand people, including professional and general public. In the first version, were involved the National Mining Society, the Commerce Department of The United States, the Embassy of this country in Chile and FISA S.A. In December 1990 the Ministry of Mines granted the official and international patronage to Expomin `92. Meanwhile, in January 1991, the operational agreement between Editec Limited, a company that developed Expominería for some time, and Fisa took place, in order to develop a single large mining exhibition.

However, in the next edition -1992 - Fisa opened the fair to all markets. In this context, Expomin 1992, became one of the largest mining trade shows worldwide, not only for the number of participating countries but for the level of technology on display.

Two years later, was held the third version of Expomin, between 10 and 14 May 1994. The mining exhibition was attended by over two thousand exhibitors from the main leading firms of equipment supplying and services for mining worldwide and was visited by 30.000 people, which had the opportunity to appreciate and internalize the latest technological advances in mining. The value of the III Expomin exceeded US$ 45 million and featured a display surface of 40 thousand square meters, divided between covered areas and 17 pavilions. The show, surpassing all expectations of the organizers, registered business for US$ 870 million from commercial sales and Joint Ventures.

Expomin `96 also became a resounding success, generating trade worth over U.S. $ 685 million. Regarding the number of visitors, they amounted to 33 thousand professionals, entrepreneurs and technicians from all Latin American countries, Belgium, USA, England, Japan, France, Russia, New Zealand and Germany, among others.

With a turnover U.S. $ 960 million and attendants that exceeded 37,000 people, closed the V World Mining Exhibition for Latin America, which was developed between 12 and 16 May 1998.

At the fifth version of Expomin participated 2.200 exhibitors, from 33 countries. United States, Canada, South Africa, Spain, Italy, Colombia, Belgium and Germany, among others.

The compound of Chile grew by 10% compared to the previous version, covering an area of 20 thousand square meters in covered space and 20 thousand in uncovered area, in which 72 public and private companies and institutions were presented.

The number of exhibitors as well as the technological level, which had a cost of US$ 70 million, consolidated Expomin as one of the most important mining fairs worldwide.

Expomin 2000 to 2010

The Expomin 2000, which was held between 9 and 13 May, was attended by 2.300 companies, 38.000 business visitors and reported business by US$ 687 million, accomplishing the expectations of an Expomin responsible for opening the millennium. According to the statistics of EXPOMIN 2000, 67% of the exhibitors were producers, 47% included agents or representatives, 38% were distributors, and 1% came from the area of finance.

Keeping the surface of 40,000 square meters, Expomin 2002, the seventh version, was performed between 7 and 11 of May at the fairgrounds of FISA-Maipu, with 2,500 companies from 36 countries and the arrival of 43,000 visitors. The fair exceeded all expectations of business projection, reaching U.S. $ 800 million. In that fair the meeting "Latin American Mining Societies” took place, organized the National Mining Society (Sonami) which gathered mainly presidents and entrepreneurs belonging to associations in Latin America. It also held the "International Meeting of the Institute of Mining Engineers”.

In 2004, Expomin took place in the events center Espacio Riesco, between April 20 and 24, maintaining the number of companies, square meters and visitors, but getting by the first time U.S. $ 1,000 million in business. This Expomin is also remembered because in its opening ceremony and before the excitement of the communications media, President Ricardo Lagos announced its decision to establish a royalty on mining.

The historic copper prices recorded during the year 2006, impacted positively Expomin. That version was visited by nearly 60 thousand visitors, when projected attendance of 45 thousand, and exhibitors grew by 20% to nearly 900 booths.

In the latest version of Expomin in 2008, we achieved a record attendance of 51,000 professionals, 34,000 accredited and all business projection of thirteen hundred million dollars were exceeded.

Given this scenario, the challenge for 2010 is that Expomin remain the global center for mining world, taking advantage of the experience and great trajectory.

Sources: Sonami.cl and FISA S.A.