Wild weather disrupts copper mines and ports in central Chile

Copper mines and ports in central Chile curtailed some operations in the face of a powerful winter storm, while major mining installations in the north remained unaffected.

Mining companies including Codelco, Antofagasta Plc and Anglo American Plc activated safety protocols amid heavy rain, snow and strong winds. The wild weather also restricted some vessel movements at ports in central Chile, according to the maritime authority.

Codelco suspended surface activities at its Andina mine northeast of Santiago, while snow forced it to halt ore shipments from the open pit at El Teniente, the state-owned producer said. Anglo American said it is monitoring conditions and assessing risks at its Los Bronces mine, adjusting operations as needed. Antofagasta reduced non-essential activities at its flagship Los Pelambres mine.

The deluge in a country that accounts for a quarter of the world’s mined copper will be watched closely by traders at a time of tightening global supplies of a metal used in everything from air conditioners to data centers. To be sure, there were no reports of disruptions at Chile’s biggest copper installations to the north, with BHP Group confirming its mines were running normally.

The extent of any impact will depend on how far north the storm reaches and how long it lasts. The storm is forecast to persist through the weekend, with heavy rain, strong winds and Andean snowfall easing after Sunday. Chile’s copper output has already been constrained in recent years by operational setbacks and declining ore grades.

Beyond mining, the storm claimed three lives and caused localized disruptions to power and water services. Authorities are due to provide an update on damage to agriculture later Friday.

(By James Attwood)