The aim of this study is to analyze the innovative potential of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the Region of Antofagasta. The results of a cuestionnaire applied to 50 SMEs considered as innovative according to OCDE criteria show a contradictory situation: there is an increasing awareness of the importance of innovation in the region while many obstacles to innovate are recognized. This constrains can affect negatively the project of creating an industrial and service cluster around mining in the region.