New era in mining: How tokenization can transform the salt industry

Tokenization is reshaping industries, and the mining sector is no exception. As the process by which real-world assets (RWAs) are digitized and traded via blockchain, tokenization introduces a profound transformation to the mining industry where everyone can own a fraction of a massive mining facility — sharing its profits and growth.

The Consorcio Salinero de Tarapacá (CONSA) aims to drive this transformation by tokenizing its mining operations to fund ambitious growth plans. Through the innovative use of blockchain technology, CONSA unlocks opportunities for global investors while positioning itself as a prominent player in the salt market.

A tidal wave in the salt market

Salt is a cornerstone of modern industry, finding use in everything from agriculture to clean energy. Industrial salt enjoys growing demand in parallel to the evolution of the global economy. By tokenizing its operations, CONSA allows investors to benefit from this expanding market without requiring significant capital outlay. Each CnS token represents a fractional share in CONSA’s profits, creating unprecedented accessibility and liquidity in the mining industry.

Projections indicate that the industrial salt market may grow from 233 million tons in 2024 to over 260 million tons by 2029, driven by applications in chemical manufacturing, water treatment and energy generation. Chile’s abundant salt reserves provide a competitive advantage, and CONSA is well-positioned to meet rising demand.

Key Statistics:

• Reserves: 150 million+ tons of high-purity salt
• Market valuation: Estimated at over $700 million
• Growth projection: Production capacity to exceed 100,000 tons/month by 2029

How CONSA is leading the way

Previously known to control more than 150 million tons of high-purity salt, CONSA’s latest assessments suggest that total reserves may surpass 200 million tons. With sizeable mining concessions and plans to increase monthly production beyond 100,000 tons by 2029, CONSA’s growth potential appears impressive. Paired with strong market fundamentals, this operational scale forms the bedrock of the company’s ambitious trajectory.

The organization has received the Marca Chile seal, a coveted distinction awarded to select Chilean enterprises that uphold exceptional standards of quality and global outreach. By carrying this seal, CONSA reinforces its commitment to promoting Chile’s image in more than 110 countries, further cementing its status as a trustworthy and influential player in the mining sector.

To capitalize on surging demand and steadily expanding reserves, CONSA needed a fresh approach to project financing. Traditional routes — like debt or equity raise — often prove cumbersome and limit access to certain investors. Tokenization emerged as an elegant solution: It breaks down a large-scale resource operation into fractional digital tokens, enabling both institutional and retail investors worldwide to purchase a stake in a real-world asset.

The mechanics of tokenization

Tokenization essentially transforms an asset — be it physical property or, in this case, a mining operation — into smaller, tradable units on the blockchain. These digital tokens grant owners partial rights to the asset’s future profits. In CONSA’s case, each CnS token offers exposure to the company’s performance and provides a share of its earnings for a defined period (2025-2034).

Source: CONSA

This structure democratizes mining investment. Instead of needing significant capital to tap into Chile’s thriving salt industry, anyone with internet access can potentially partake. Transparent oversight is a central component, allowing stakeholders to track performance in real time and make informed decisions.

Driving the future of salt mining

A crucial partner behind CONSA’s tokenization endeavor is Brickken, an all-in-one platform built to streamline digital asset creation and management. Brickken’s technology simplifies every phase of the tokenization process — from minting tokens to facilitating real-time monitoring of profits and sales. By offering an intuitive dashboard, Brickken helps investors evaluate whether CONSA’s financial commitments are being met and provides the data to guide buying or selling decisions.

By integrating Brickken’s suite of tools, CONSA can streamline investor onboarding, manage token sales and maintain end-to-end oversight of the entire operation.

CONSA’s platform, built with Brickken’s technology, offers a transparent dashboard that details production metrics, sales figures and a decade’s worth of performance projections. This level of information is typically rare in the mining sector, where data can be opaque, and investor updates sporadic. With tokenholders accessing real-time analytics, trust forms more naturally — making it easier for them to adjust investments or build long-term strategies based on emerging market conditions.

Through this collaboration, tokenization sets a new benchmark for the mining sector by simplifying complex financial processes and broadening investor participation. Brickken’s platform empowers companies like CONSA to bridge the gap between traditional industries and decentralized finance, promoting trust and robust growth through tokenized assets. In essence, Brickken adds technological muscle to CONSA’s mineral potential, ensuring that both corporate strategy and token governance remain transparent and secure.

Social and economic impact

Tokenization isn’t just about financial returns; it’s about creating opportunities. By democratizing access to mining investments, CONSA fosters:

• Financial inclusion: Individuals from diverse economic backgrounds can participate using only a smartphone and internet connection.
• Economic growth: Increased capital enables CONSA to scale operations, contributing to Chile’s development.
• Sustainability: Token proceeds fund eco-conscious mining practices and community development initiatives.

The road ahead

Looking ahead, CONSA envisions all 49 of its mining concessions to be fully operational by 2029, pushing production toward 1.25 million tons annually to meet both national and global demand. By hitting these milestones, the company aims to break even around 2030. Beyond that point, continued expansion could open the door to significant revenue growth as large swaths of the global industrial salt market remain untapped.

Tokenholders stand to benefit from this trajectory in parallel, tracking performance through a suite of digital tools that reveal daily production data and weekly sales numbers. Whether assessing short-term movements or anticipating future price fluctuations, stakeholders have a bird’s-eye view of CONSA’s operational progress.