Copper gets a warning the worst may be yet to come

The decision could set a precedent for similar cases involving mining companies around the world.

The Canadian firm said its Escobal mine remains unaffected by the ongoing political turmoil in the country, which has forced President Otto Perez to resign amid a corruption scandal that gutted his government.

The project is considered key for Codelco, as it is the only one that will allow the state-owned miner to increase production in the coming years.

While other gold companies have been stung by an 11 percent drop in prices in the past year, Colombia’s biggest producer is getting near-record high prices for its output thanks to its sinking local currency.

In today's infographic, we look at how crashing oil prices over the last year have affected currencies of nations that are heavily reliant on exporting oil.

Labour action threatened after half the workers at El-Abra mine in Chile – jointly owned by world's top copper miners Codelco and Freeport – were let go.

The cash injection comes from selling half of its interest in the Porgera mining operation to the Chinese group last May.

Chile's state-owned giant slashes costs 11% and boosts production as it takes the fight to the competition amid slumping copper price.

The miner has responded to deteriorating market conditions by slashing spending and cutting jobs, mostly at its North American operations.