Drill Results Map — Chile

Chile — the world's largest copper producer, holding 27% of global copper output and the largest lithium reserves on Earth — is a prime target for junior exploration companies. Here's how to create a professional drill results map using Exploration Maps in 15–30 minutes.

Example drill results map created in Exploration Maps — Example drill results map exported from Exploration Maps — style your Chile data the same way.

About Mining in Chile

Chile is the world's largest copper producer, responsible for approximately 27% of global copper output, and holds the largest lithium reserves on Earth in the Atacama Desert salt flats. The country is a top-tier destination for exploration capital targeting critical minerals essential to the energy transition.

Key minerals: copper, lithium, gold, silver, molybdenum, iron. Notable deposits: Escondida, Collahuasi, Chuquicamata, Atacama Lithium Brine. Mining districts: Atacama Desert, Antofagasta Region, Maricunga Belt, Coastal Cordillera.

The Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN) administers mineral rights in Chile. Claim data is accessible through SERNAGEOMIN Mining Cadastre.

Getting Mining Data for Chile

Portal	Formats	Notes
SERNAGEOMIN Mining Cadastre	Shapefile, KML	SERNAGEOMIN's Mining Cadastre exports concession polygons in UTM Zone 19S (EPSG:32719) for most of Chile. Chile's extreme north-south geography means some large properties span zones — confirm the UTM zone for your specific property latitude before converting.

How to Create a Drill Results Map for Chile

For a full step-by-step guide to drill results maps, see How to Make a Drill Results Map.

Import your drill collar CSV (columns: hole ID, latitude, longitude, depth, assay)
Assign the Drillholes layer role
Import the property claims boundary as GeoJSON
Add callout labels to key holes showing hole ID and best intercept
Use Badge Label type to highlight the highest-grade holes
Configure the title with program name and date
Set the Landscape 16:9 ratio for news release figures
Export as PNG at 2× for email and PDF for the news release attachment

Labelling a drillhole with its best intercept in Exploration Maps.

Tip for Chile: Chilean porphyry copper and lithium brine properties are frequently at high altitude (3,000–5,000 m) in the Atacama Desert — add an elevation note to your title block and use the Satellite basemap to show the stark, high-altitude desert terrain that immediately communicates the project's physical setting to international investors.

Recommended Settings for Chile

Basemap: Light or Satellite
Design theme: Investor — Navy & White
Export format: PNG at 2× for investor presentations, PDF (Letter or A4) for JORC Code / NI 43-101 reports
Coordinate system: Ensure source data is in WGS84 (EPSG:4326)

Common Use Cases in Chile

Exploration news releases
NI 43-101 technical reports
Investor day presentations
Analyst briefings

Frequently Asked Questions

What file format do I need for Chile mineral claims data?

Chile mineral claims boundaries are available from SERNAGEOMIN Mining Cadastre and can typically be downloaded as Shapefiles or KML. Convert these to GeoJSON at mapshaper.org before importing into Exploration Maps.

Who regulates mineral claims in Chile?

Mineral claims in Chile are regulated by the Servicio Nacional de Geología y Minería (SERNAGEOMIN). All tenure and claims data can be queried through SERNAGEOMIN Mining Cadastre.

What minerals are typically mapped in Chile?

Chile is known for its copper, lithium, gold, silver deposits. Key producing and exploration-stage properties include Escondida, Collahuasi, Chuquicamata. The main mining districts are Atacama Desert, Antofagasta Region, Maricunga Belt.

Can I export a Chile drill results map for a JORC Code / NI 43-101 report?

Yes. Exploration Maps exports PNG and PDF at 2–3× pixel ratio, suitable for inclusion in JORC Code / NI 43-101 technical reports as required figures. The export includes north arrow, scale bar, legend, and title block — all standard map elements required for JORC Code / NI 43-101 compliance.