Chile, the world's top copper producer, earlier this month sued BHP among others miners over alleged environmental damages.

This could reshape how the world's top copper producer regulates production of the red metal and minerals like lithium.

Prices rose after a spate of production problems that threaten to cut supply, including a state of emergency in Peru.

Company's Q1 production fell 10% year on year, partly owing to operations running at reduced capacity because of higher rates of covid-19 infections among workers.

The world’s biggest miners had a tough start to the year, struggling to hit production goals and keep costs under control.

The company lowered its copper sales forecast by about 1% annually for this year and the next.

Zijin aims to take a 45.9% stake in Mongolia's Kharmagtai copper and gold mine.