Reporting monthly production figures, state copper agency Cochilco said Codelco increased its production 1.2% to 1.727Mt with gains at its Chuiquicamata, Salvador and Andina divisions. Collahuasi posted an 11.3% gain to 629,100t, while Antofagasta Minerals' El Tesoro increased output 15% to 93,300t.
A number of copper operations experienced significant declines during the year, including Lundin Mining's Candelaria, which fell 14.9% to 94,800t, the Barrick Gold-Antofagasta joint venture, Zaldivar, which fell 16.9% to 96,500t, the Antofagasta-Marubeni joint venture, Esperanza, which fell 21.5% to 153,500t, and BHP's Spence, which fell 24.6% to 145,900t.
