Codelco Output Falls 6% in February as Escondida Rises and Collahuasi Slumps
SANTIAGO – Chile’s state-owned copper giant Codelco saw its copper production drop by 6% year-on-year in February, producing 98,100 metric tons, according to data released by the Chilean Copper Commission (Cochilco) on Thursday.
Despite being the world’s top copper producer, Codelco has struggled in recent years to reverse a steady decline in output as it works through operational and project challenges.
In contrast, BHP’s Escondida mine – the world’s largest copper mine – reported a 16% increase in production, reaching 113,400 metric tons for the month.
Meanwhile, output at Collahuasi, a major mine operated jointly by Glencore and Anglo American, plunged 62% to just 17,000 metric tons.
Earlier this week, Anglo American’s Chile country head, Patricio Hidalgo, told Reuters that production at Collahuasi is expected to be weighted toward the second half of the year.
“Given the current stage in the mine’s life cycle, the 2025 development plan will focus on areas with lower copper content,” Hidalgo explained.
