LIMA -- Chile's Mining Minister Hernan Solminihac Wednesday praised the importance of China as a market for Latin American minerals.

In an interview with Xinhua, the Chilean minister said the Chinese market has become a vital destination for mineral-export countries such as Chile and Peru.

Although during the first half of 2012, mineral exports to China slightly decreased, it will continue to grow in the future, he said.

On the Free Trade Agreement between China and Chile, which is one of the first documents that China has signed with Latin American countries, Solminihac said that it's satisfactory for both countries and that it benefits the Chilean mining industry greatly.

He added that the Chilean mineral producers have established good trade relations with the Chinese authorities and businessmen. He hopes this good relation between the two countries will be permanent.

As part of the smooth relations, Solminihac stressed that Santiago has received important high-ranking Chinese officials in recent years.

Solminihac reaffirmed the importance of the Chinese market in the global economy, especially in the middle of the economic crisis that affects Europe and the US.

"China's economy is currently very important, and that is why we expect it to continue to grow to help the development of the rest of the world," he said.

Solminihac made the remarks during the opening of a three-day Mining Providers' Show (Provemin 2012) held in Lima, capital city of Peru.

Four business delegations from Peru and 26 international delegations from China, Panama, Colombia, Chile, Costa Rica, Bolivia and Ecuador attended the show.

The Peruvian Association of Mining Providers, which organizes the event, expects to close deals worth more than $6 million during the show.