Chile posts lowest monthly copper output in 15 years despite booming global demand
Chile, which supplies a quarter of the world's mined copper, recorded in August its lowest monthly output in 15 years, according to AFP. Depletion of the richest ore zones forces miners to process more rock, and expansion and modernization projects suffered delays and cost overruns, especially at Codelco. Heavy rains linked to El Niño and the partial halt at El Teniente after a July 2025 accident added to the decline. The lower supply pressures the market, and the metal has risen more than 16% this year.
In 40 seconds
- Chile recorded in August its lowest monthly copper output in 15 years, despite strong global demand.
- Mine depletion forces companies to process more rock to obtain the same amount of metal.
- Expansion and modernization projects suffered delays and cost overruns, especially at state-owned Codelco.
IASummary generated by artificial intelligence from a story by France 24. It may contain errors: the original source prevails.




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