The planned production capacity of the new copper smelter is 300,000 r/y of copper cathodes and 1.8 million t/y of sulphuric acid.

The Chilean peso is up 3.4% in April, the only currency to have risen against the dollar in the month.

"We have to take advantage of this super-cycle of copper that has been spoken of positively in recent days," Boric said on Thursday.

Questioned about potential interest in Anglo's assets, CEO Bartolomeo also said that Vale would "clearly" be interested.

Earnings were lower copper, molybdenum and zinc prices.

Vedanta reported a 27% drop in fourth-quarter profit on Thursday.

The Pirdop plant is receiving a total 400 million euros of investment.