Production in 2020 fell just 5% in 2020 to 5.7 million tonnes, despite the COVID-19 pandemic but with the sector still operating under restrictions, it is continuing to slide.
Year-to-date production is down 2.8% at 882,700t compared to 908,100t in 2020 with BHP-controlled Escondida and Antofagasta Minerals' Los Pelambres, two of the country's biggest copper operations, having a slower start to the year with output down 14.9% and 11.8%, respectively.
Conversely, state copper company Codelco has seen a 10.7% increase in its year-to-date output at 264,800t, with its Chuquicamata division up 23.3% at 128,900t. Collahuasi and AngloAmerican's Sur operation are up 9.1% and 8%, respectively.
