Chile, Finland to cooperate on mining, energy

Chilean President Sebastian Pinera and visiting Finland's Prime Minister Jyrki Katainen signed agreements on cooperation in the mining and energy sectors, the Chilean government said Wednesday.

Finland will provide Chile with technology and fund to develop innovative mining machinery and clean energy equipments, according to the agreements signed Tuesday.

"Chile is a mining country and we have many things to learn from you (Finland)," Pinera said.

He said Chile has "huge potential in clean and renewable energy," as its deserts have high level of solar radiation.

"We have 25 percent of the world's volcanoes for geothermal energy, and we have more than 6,000 kilometres of coast for marine energy," Pinera added.

Finland is among the best in the world in the use of renewable energy such as bioenergy, wind and hydropower, which accounts for 25 percent of its whole energy consumption.

With geothermal energy as an important source in its green energy plan,the Northern European country has developed state-of-arts expertise in solar and geothermal energy utilisation.