ubflex Debuts at EXPONOR 2026 in Antofagasta, Chile, Delivering Heavy-Duty Power Transmission Solutions for Latin American Mining
May 4–7, 2026 | Antofagasta Exhibition Grounds, Chile
Rubflex, a global specialist in high-performance pneumatic clutches and industrial mining components, successfully completed its participation in EXPONOR 2026, the International Exhibition of Mining, Energy Technologies and Innovation held in Antofagasta, Chile, from May 4 to 7. As Latin America’s most authoritative mining trade fair hosted in Chile’s core mineral hub, the show serves as an irreplaceable business and technical exchange platform connecting global suppliers with major copper, lithium and mineral operators across the Atacama Desert and broader South America.
Organized by the Antofagasta Industrial Association (AIA), EXPONOR 2026 set new industry records, gathering 1,382 exhibitors from 36 countries and the EU, alongside over 60,000 professional visitors including procurement directors, site engineers, operation managers and executive delegations from CODELCO, BHP, SQM, Albemarle, Antofagasta Minerals and more than 70 official technical mining delegationsEXPONOR. With an estimated USD 1.2 billion in projected business deals generated throughout the event, the exhibition centered on core themes of mining productivity, high-altitude harsh-condition equipment, sustainable mineral development, electrification and low-carbon transformation, perfectly aligning with Rubflex’s product positioning for extreme mining environmentsEXPONOR.
Chile’s northern Antofagasta Region produces over 54% of Chile’s total copper output and holds the world’s largest lithium reserves, featuring open-pit mines, high-altitude underground operations and dry, abrasive desert working conditions that place stringent demands on power transmission and auxiliary equipment durabilityEXPONOR. Targeting these unique local operational pain points, Rubflex brought its full lineup of flagship mining components to the booth, including disc pneumatic clutches, VC/CB series heavy-duty clutches, mud pump airbags, drill pipe wipers and wear-resistant solid tires. All products are engineered to withstand severe dust, drastic temperature swings, heavy continuous loads and high-altitude low-oxygen environments common across Chile’s Atacama mining belt, effectively cutting equipment downtime and lowering total operational maintenance costs for mineral processing rigs, drilling machinery and grinding systems.
Throughout the four-day exhibition, Rubflex’s booth maintained steady foot traffic from local Chilean mining contractors, regional OEM partners, and buyers from Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and other Latin American mineral-rich nations. The Rubflex global technical and sales team conducted one-on-one in-depth technical briefings, on-site product performance demonstrations and customized solution consultations, focusing on tailored retrofit and matching schemes for large-scale copper flotation equipment, lithium extraction mud pumps and exploration drilling rigs. Many onsite visitors highlighted Rubflex’s outstanding abrasion resistance and stable torque output as ideal upgrades to replace aging power transmission parts in their existing mine fleets.
Beyond direct business negotiations, Rubflex took the opportunity to study the latest Latin American mining development trends at the exhibition’s technical seminars, covering mining electrification, intelligent predictive maintenance and green hydrogen applications for mineral operations. The team exchanged industry insights with global equipment manufacturers, gaining clearer market demand feedback to drive future localized product optimization for South American mining standards. This exhibition greatly elevated Rubflex’s brand recognition across Chile and the Latin American mining supply chain, establishing long-term communication channels with multiple potential distributors and end-mine operators.
EXPONOR 2026 marks a key milestone in Rubflex’s Latin America market expansion strategy. Moving forward, Rubflex will continue investing in R&D for harsh-environment mining components, strengthen localized after-sales support for Chilean clients, and cooperate closely with regional partners to deliver reliable, cost-effective power transmission solutions for copper, lithium and critical mineral projects across the Atacama and wider South America, supporting the sustainable and efficient development of Latin America’s mining sector.
Short LinkedIn Version (for social media release)
Great success for Rubflex at EXPONOR 2026 in Antofagasta, Chile (May 4–7)!
We showcased our full range of heavy-duty clutches, mud pump airbags and drill accessories built for Chile’s harsh high-altitude copper & lithium mining conditions. Over four days, our team connected with dozens of mine operators, OEMs and regional partners from across Latin America, discussing custom power transmission solutions to reduce downtime and boost operational efficiency.
EXPONOR is Latin America’s premier mining innovation hub, bringing together 1,382 global exhibitors and 60,000 industry professionals. This show solidifies Rubflex’s commitment to expanding our footprint in Chile and the South American mineral market. Thank you to every visitor who stopped by our stand for valuable technical conversations!
