Chile produced 2.62 million tonnes of copper fines in the first half this year, up 1.6% from the 2.57 million tonnes recorded in the corresponding period of 2009, according to data from the country’s copper commission, Cochilco.

 

Copper exports in the first half fell by 1.3% to 2.64 million tonnes, despite the rise in total output.

 

Output at Codelco, the largest producer, reached 798,500 tonnes, a 2% lift, while BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto’s Minera Escondida came next with 526,000 tonnes, up by 1%.

 

Xstrata and Anglo American’s Collahuasi mine and Antofagasta’s Los Pelambres both recorded increases – the former was up 7.6% to 266,700 tonnes and the latter 18.1% to 192,600 tonnes .

 

The next largest producers all registered decreases: Anglo American Sur (El Soldado, Chagres and Los Bronces mines) output fell to 129,300 tonnes, down 0.8%; Freeport McMoran and Codelco’s El Abra fell to 76,000 tonnes, down 4.8%; Anglo American Norte (Mantos Blancos and Mantoverde mines) output dropped to 66,800 tonnes, down 11.1% and Freeport-McMoRan’s Candelaria produced 53,500 tonnes, down 25.8%.

 

Barrick Gold’s Compañía Minera Zaldívar increased its output by 5.1% to 71,700 tonnes, surpassing Candelaria and Anglo American Norte.

 

Export revenues reached $18.1 billion, of which China accounted for $5.75 billion, or 31.7% of the total.

 

Japan accounted for $2.06 billion; South Korea for $1.31 billion; Brazil for $1.05 billion and the USA for $887 million.

 

Cochilco did not disclose export revenues for the first half of last year, but in the whole of 2009 the value reached $26.2 billion.

 

Molybdenum output in the first six month of this year decreased by 0.3% in comparison with the first half of 2009 to 16,856 tonnes.

 

Exports also fell by 4.4% to 19,449 tonnes.