SANTIAGO - Chile has introduced a capital markets reform aimed at boosting early-stage mining exploration and attracting foreign capital to the world's top copper producer and second-largest lithium supplier, according to a government proposal presented on Wednesday.

The bill, spearheaded by President Jose Antonio Kast's administration, creates a dedicated investment framework for junior exploration and innovation companies. The reform seeks to streamline market access, lower operating costs, and strengthen Chile's position as a regional financial hub by aligning local regulations with international standards.

"Exploration is the heart of mining, but it is a high-risk stage," Economy and Mining Minister Daniel Mas said. "By integrating mining exploration into capital markets, we intelligently diversify that risk and attract global and national investment funds seeking profitability and sustainability."

Under the proposed rules, eligible junior firms will be granted access to a simplified regulatory regime tailored to their stage of development, bypassing traditional registration on the national Securities Registry.

Instead, companies will operate under the guidance of a designated sponsoring agent tasked with ensuring regulatory compliance and ongoing disclosures.

To entice investors, the package offers key financial incentives, including capital gains tax exemptions on share sales and mechanisms allowing backers to write off greenfield exploration expenses.

Beyond the resource sector, the draft legislation introduces Value Added Tax exemptions on exported financial services and expands tax relief for non-resident investors. It also incorporates broader social provisions, including simplified access for first-time home buyers and expanded tax incentives for voluntary pension savings.

If passed, government officials expect the simplified framework to allow private capital to absorb early-stage geological risks, driving new mineral discoveries that will ultimately yield long-term tax revenues, royalties, and employment growth.