The combination of some of the world's largest copper deposits and a business-oriented regulatory framework has encouraged international mining companies to invest in Chile since legal reforms were undertaken in the 1980s. These reforms resulted in the creation of many new mines and thousands of new jobs and saw a considerable boost to the country's economy. The stability of the country's mining regime, which is one of the best in the South American region, will ensure that the country continues to attract such investment for years to come.