The company did not say whether the fire affected production.

Copper mining company profits topped $100 billion two years in a row, but building a new mine now takes on average 16 years.

The use of new digital technology to optimise concentrator performance at the world's biggest copper mine in Chile is expected to improve recovery.  

Data suggest Chilean production may be stabilizing after a series of project delays, mine-specific setbacks and plant maintenance.

The French mining and metallurgy company is due to start lithium production in neighbouring Argentina next year.

Smelting activity in the rest of the world, however, was still lacklustre.

Lawmakers in Chile gave final approval in May for a long-awaited mining tax reform.

The accident occurred during underground mining operations at the Caylloma mine.