In October, 1985, discussions were held in Santiago in regard to the possibility of organizing a minerals industry conference in Chile in November, 1986, under the auspices of the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy and in association with other bodies and organizations. I, in turn, was asked to chair the Organizing Committee and at our first meeting in London in November, 1985, we realized how little time we had if we were to meet the date proposed. In the event, thanks to considerable support from the Organizing Committee and others, coupled with the very good response from authors, we were able to put together a programme on a variety of topics, with some particular emphasis on operations in South America, and with special reference to Chile, that we regard as attractive. This is the first conference to have been organized by the Institution of Mining and Metallurgy in Chile, but it is intended that it should initiate a series to be held in Latin American countries. Chile has a long and healthy mining tradition and it is fitting, therefore, that it should have been chosen for the first such conference.