Chile produced 481,700 tonnes of copper in August, down 6.2% from the 513,300t produced in the same period of 2019, according to state copper agency Cochilco.

Production at Collahuasi increased 18.8% to 60,000t. However, output at the BHP-controlled Escondida fell 11.1% to 92,200t from 103,700t in the prior year period and the Esperanza (Antofagasta Minerals) and Spence (BHP) mines also experienced double-digit falls.

State copper company Codelco produced 154,t tonnes of copper in August, a little more than the 154,700t produced in the same month in 2019.