Antofagasta ramps up works before Exponor

Antofagasta’s municipal government said on May 21 that it was carrying out a string of public-space upgrades across the city before Exponor 2026, the mining and energy trade fair scheduled for June 8-11. Mayor Sacha Razmilic said the work was aimed at improving the city’s appearance for visitors, tourists and investors expected to arrive for the event. Local reports said crews were operating at multiple sites in the north and south of the city. Exponor’s organizers say the 2026 edition is expected to be the largest in the fair’s history, with 1,350 exhibitors, 47,000 visitors and participants from 36 countries. ### Which parts of Antofagasta are being worked on? The municipality said one focus is the northern sector at the Pedro Aguirre Cerda roundabout, where a mural was developed with Creo Antofagasta, FME and BHP. The same area is also receiving paint work, planters, flags and masts, according to El Diario de Antofagasta. (diarioantofagasta.cl) SoyChile reported that the city’s plan also includes upgrades to roundabouts, new signage and flags at different access points into Antofagasta. The outlet said the works include recovery of a fountain on Avenida La Minería that had been out of service for nearly 10 years. ### What did the mayor say the city is trying to do? Mayor Sacha Razmilic told local media that the city was preparing “our best face” for visitors, tourists and investors. (diarioantofagasta.cl) He said the municipality wanted Antofagasta to “look good” so the city could attract more tourism and new business. (soychile.cl) El Diario de Antofagasta said Razmilic also described the municipality as working “a full,” alongside support from private companies, to present a better image of the city before the fair. The report linked the works directly to the coming edition of Exponor, one of the country’s main mining and business events. (diarioantofagasta.cl) ### Why is Exponor driving this push now? Exponor’s official site says the fair will run from June 8 to June 11 in Antofagasta and that the 2026 edition is set to be the biggest on record. Organizer Andrea Moreno said in material published by Exponor that the scale of the event required coordination across sectors of the economy and a more comprehensive visitor experience. Exponor said it expects 1,350 exhibitors, 47,000 visitors and representation from 36 countries. (diarioantofagasta.cl) The event is organized by the Asociación de Industriales de Antofagasta, according to the fair’s official website. ### Who else is involved besides city hall? El Diario de Antofagasta identified Creo Antofagasta, FME and BHP as participants in the mural intervention at the Pedro Aguirre Cerda roundabout. (exponor.cl) The mayor also said private companies were supporting the municipal effort more broadly. An Exponor report published in April said regional authorities and public-sector representatives had held a coordination meeting to prepare for the expected influx of people. (exponor.cl) Presidential delegate Katherine López said the work was intended to support residents as the region prepared to host the exhibition, while AIA General Manager Fernando Cortez said public-private coordination was key to staging the event. (diarioantofagasta.cl) ### What should visitors watch for next? Exponor’s official website says the fair’s visitor guide and accreditation platform are already available ahead of the June 8 opening. The organizer says the XXI edition will take place in Antofagasta from June 8 through June 11, with seminars and exhibitor programming scheduled during the event. (exponor.cl) (exponor.cl)