Chile copper, lithium mines rattled by 7.4-magnitude quake
The earthquake struck 45 km outside San Pedro de Atacama, northern Chile, home to country's major copper and lithium mines.
Peruvian miner Antamina produced about 450,000 tonnes of copper in 2012 and expects similar output in 2013, CEO Abraham Chaun said.
Local newspaper La Republica (in Spanish) reports the company will invest $1.3 billion this year to increase output about 30%.
In 2011, Antamina produced 333,700 tonnes of the red metal, or 28% of Peru’s total copper output.
The mine, one of the world’s biggest copper-zinc pits, is run by a group of miners including BHP Billiton, Xstrata, Teck and Mitsubishi.
(Image: Antamina mine. Wiki Commons)
