Article at a glance:

Weighing the risks in South American basic materials

• Growing global demand for metals has kindled intense interest in South America’s mineral wealth: some of the world’s largest—and most competitive—deposits of alumina, bauxite, copper, iron ore, nickel, and zinc.
• But some multinationals, concerned primarily about political risk and macroeconomic volatility, still seem too wary of making further investments.
• Despite the resurgence of populism, overall political and institutional risk in the mining sector is relatively low in most countries, and the macroeconomic situation has stabilized.
• Many attractive growth opportunities remain in South America. But to execute projects, companies need local management teams with a long-term commitment to the region and world-class skills in managing stakeholders.

Note: This article includes translations in Portuguese and Spanish.