Chilean presidential candidate Johannes Kaiser has unveiled a proposal to partially privatize state-owned copper miner Codelco, with the proceeds distributed directly to citizens.
The plan, put forward by the Partido Nacional Libertario, would pay each Chilean up to 2 million pesos, roughly US$2,150, from the sale of government stakes in the company.
The proposal introduces a fresh political dimension to the ongoing debate over Codelco’s role in the Chilean economy.
While the government has recently emphasized attracting US$100 billion in mining investment and diversifying export markets beyond China, Kaiser’s plan suggests a potential shift toward asset liquidation and direct wealth distribution.
Codelco remains central to Chile’s fiscal health and global copper supply.
Any move toward privatization, even partial, would likely trigger scrutiny from investors and markets regarding the stability of the country’s mining policy.
The proposal also raises questions about the feasibility of such a payout and the valuation of state assets.