Chile’s state-run miner has made progress in negotiating with local communities over lithium mining and will keep working to win their support, Chief Executive Ruben Alvarado said.

The performance was due in part to a 219.4% production boost from Glencore' Antapaccay.

Mining companies and industry groups have complained about the extensive permitting process in Chile.

Brazil's Para state has won its appeal to overturn a previous court ruling that had reinstated the mine's operating licence.

The company expects “some conclusions” this year from negotiating an operational tie-up between its Andina mine and Anglo American's adjoining Los Bronces.

Codelco and SQM agreed to start talks with a council of representatives from 18 indigenous communities in December in efforts to reach an agreement to form a new state-controlled public-private partnership.

The company also did not rule out the possibility of acquisitions, as long as they are in the Americas.

Larger copper, gold and molybdenum volumes boosted metals mining just over 17%, according to government statistics.