Copper production in Chile rose nearly 7% between January and September
Codelco’s own production down 0.3% recorded in the period
An increase of 6.8% recorded Chilean copper production from January to September, compared to the same period last year.
Thus came from the last monthly newsletter prepared by the Chilean Copper Commission (Cochilco), detailing that with the topside production major export of the country reached 4.2 million tons, exceeding the 3.9 million tons of same period in 2012.
The hike-in percentage terms-was led by Collahuasi, controlled by Anglo American (44%), Glencore Xstrata (44%) and Mitsui (12%) -, which increased its production of copper in 42.8% to 297 000 tons. In August, the company said that the best production results mainly response to the implementation of improvements aimed to stabilize the operation that have been driven by the new administration of Jorge Gómez.
Collahuasi followed by Candelaria Mining, up 41.2%, to 112 thousand tons. While the third biggest breakthrough was scored by Escondida, from BHP Billiton, which in the period increased its output by 14.5% to 901 000 tons.
For Codelco copper production itself (without regard to its holdings in El Abra and Anglo Sur) fell 0.3%, to 1.18 million tons.
Among its operations, El Salvador recorded the largest decline (16.3%), 36 thousand tons. Followed by Andina, with a decrease of 4.5%.
The most productive division of the state company during this period was El Teniente, which saw revenues increase of 7.2% to 327 000 tons.
The state mining company is developing an investment plan by about $ 25 billion in 2025, which includes the launch of five structural projects: Ministro Hales, New Level Mina El Teniente, Chuquicamata Underground, 244 Andina Expansion and RT sulphides.
Source: La Tercera
