Ecuador to resume mining activities

China's central bank commitment to ensure policy remained prudent this year may mean no more monetary stimulus, which could see copper demand growth slow further.

Low share price.

The funds will come from the company’s own 2014 profits, as the state-owned miner gives its profits to Chile's government.

Cuts likely to be announced at the end of the month, when the miner is set to publish its first-half results.

The value of the commodity has fallen by about 35% over the latest 12-month period, hitting Australia’s economy harder than expected.

Mine will produce 50,000 tonnes of copper cathode per year.

Production of the industrial metal jumped up 7.8% in May, when compared to April’s figures,despite dwindling ore grades in several of the country's aging copper mines.

BHP already operates the world’s largest copper mine, Escondida, which sits, quite literally, across the road from Zaldivar.

Analysts from Goldman Sachs, Citi and ANZ predict prices will drop again below $50 a tonne.