LatinNews Daily - 02 October 2026

*Chile’s central bank (BCCh) has released the latest figures for its economic activity index (Imacec), showing a 1.0% year-on-year decrease in August, while in monthly terms the Imacec was down 0.7%. The August figure followed larger decreases of 1.5% year-on-year and 1.7% in monthly terms in July and five consecutive months of year-on-year declines prior to that, with the exception of June. It also follows year-on-year GDP contractions in the first two quarters of 2026. According to the BCCh, the August decline was due to mining activity, which fell 17.4% year-on-year and 10.7% in monthly terms, while non-mining activity was up 1.4% year-on-year and 0.7% in monthly terms. Chile’s Economy and Mining Minister Daniel Mas attributed the decrease in mining output to lower ore grade, maintenance work at the mines, and adverse weather conditions.  Moving forward, he stated the need “to double down on efforts to reactivate our economy” citing the ‘Chile Despega’ job creation plan, President José Antonio Kast’s “reactivating” 2027 budget proposal, and increased investment.