With a strong focus on technical excellence and industry professionalization, the international Andean Capital Forum officially began in Mendoza, launching a three-day agenda that will run through April 22 and gather leaders from the public, financial and mining sectors from around the world.
The opening day took place at the Mendoza Stock Exchange, where participants attended a London Metal Exchange (LME) workshop on market volatility and risk management, as well as a technical training session on financial fundamentals applied to mining and international reporting standards — key tools for meeting the expectations of global investors.
The start of the forum highlighted the strategic role of education and knowledge transfer in driving sustainable development. Direct access to expertise from leading institutions such as the University of Toronto and the LME is expected to strengthen local talent and prepare professionals for the challenges associated with the global energy transition.
“Information and knowledge are essential for the development of sustainable mining. Through the Andean Capital Forum, Impulsa Mendoza has promoted these workshops so that technical professionals can gain the tools needed to access specialized mining capital markets and better understand how Mendoza can integrate into them,” said Sebastián Piña, CEO of Impulsa Mendoza.
Aligned with the broader Andean Bridge strategy, the forum functions not only as a business platform but also as a technical development space where the entire mining project cycle — from exploration to closure — is analyzed under international governance standards.
A Bridge Between Mining Projects and International Investment
The Andean Capital Forum, which will continue at the Ángel Bustelo Auditorium, seeks to connect mining projects across the Andes with international investors, stock exchanges and key industry stakeholders, helping transform exploration initiatives into financeable opportunities.
The event combines multiple formats, including conferences and panels on mining investment, exploration and project development; technical workshops related to finance and metals markets; business roundtables featuring one-on-one meetings between projects and investors; and strategic networking spaces, including the traditional Mines & Wines gathering.
While the first day focused on technical education and training, Tuesday’s agenda will center on investment opportunities, project presentations and financing perspectives.
Wednesday’s sessions will address topics related to project financing, logistics, ESG standards (environmental, social and governance criteria) and integrated mining project development.
The forum features participation from prominent leaders across the public, financial, business and academic sectors. Mendoza’s Minister of Energy and Environment, Jimena Latorre, will lead Tuesday’s official opening alongside Diego Sucalesca, President of Prom Argentina, representing the institutional sector.
Financial market participants include Guillaume Légaré of the Toronto Stock Exchange; Julieta Artal from BYMA; Ignacio Badaloni of Banco Galicia; and Erica Krummel Vries and Mateo Gall from Banco Comafi. EY specialists Ramiro San Román, Sergio Caveggia and Fernando Marticorena will also participate.
Representing the mining industry are Sebastián Piña (Impulsa Mendoza), Fabián Gregorio (PSJ Cobre Mendocino), Javier Robeto (Aldebaran Resources), Ignacio Celorrio (Lithium Argentina Corp), James Hedalen (Kobrea), Barbara Cozzi (Lake Resources) and José Ignacio Silva (Hot Chili).
The forum also includes representatives from major mining chambers and institutions such as Roberto Cacciola and Alejandra Cardona from CAEM, Manuel Benítez from CAPMIN, Nadav Rajzman from CAEM, Osvaldo Urzúa from CESCO, Claudia López Osorio from the Chilean College of Geologists and Manuel Viera from the Chilean Mining Chamber.
On the logistics, infrastructure and international financing side, participants include Alejandro Núñez from Belgrano Cargas, Diana Gato from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), and representatives from CAF, including Luisa Rivas and Frank Vanoy.
The academic component of the event is led by Professor Kamran Esmaeili from the University of Toronto and Jorge Eduardo Dyszel from the London Metal Exchange, who are heading specialized technical sessions focused on mining finance and metals markets.