Adoption of Industry 4.0 Technologies in Chilean Mining: A Comparative Analysis Between Sectors

Industry 4.0 represents a crucial technological revolution for the modernization and competitiveness of companies, offering tools that enhance the efficiency, productivity, and sustainability of industrial processes. Adopting these technologies is essential, especially in crucial sectors such as mining, where their implementation can radically transform operations. This study investigates the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies among mining and non-mining companies in Chile, using data from the Survey of Access and Use of Information and Communication Technology in Companies. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified the main variables influencing technological adoption. The results indicate that mining companies are significantly more advanced in integrating technologies such as ERP, SCM, and Big Data, which optimize their operational processes and strengthen their competitiveness. In contrast, non-mining companies show a more dispersed adoption, which could limit their capacity for innovation. These findings underscore the importance of developing differentiated public policies that promote technological adoption in SMEs and less advanced sectors, also encouraging the development of internal capacities and collaboration between businesses and government to accelerate digital transformation.