The workers have complained about a lack of investment at the mining firm's troubled Ventanas smelter.

Union said the company was refusing to share 10% of profits from the 2021 fiscal year among over 3,500 direct employees.

Analyst Barbara Mattos explained that a ban on activities around glaciers could potentially impact 20-25% of current copper production.

The $3.3 billion project has been criticized for its impact on water availability in the populous capital region.

Antofagasta has released the inaugural resource estimate on its Encierro project and a resource update on the Cachorro project.

Codelco last week said it stopped its Ventanas smelter and refinery to carry out maintenance after authorities declared an environmental emergency.