Los Pelambres

Antofagasta announced group copper production increased by 4.1% from 135,200 tonnes in Q2 to 140,700 tonnes in Q3 mainly due to higher production at Los Pelambres. Cumulative production in the first nine months of the year was 393,600 tonnes, in line with expectations and 20.0% above the comparable period of 2009 reflecting the impact of the plant expansion at Los Pelambres.

Antofagasta announced the quarterly production report for the first quarter ended March 31, 2010. Group copper production in Q1 was 117,700 tonnes, ahead of the quarterly average for 2009 of 110,600 tonnes. The increase on 2009 was mainly due to increased production at Los Pelambres, reflecting higher throughput and ore grades, and higher metallurgical recoveries at El Tesoro.

Antofagasta reported that group copper production for 2009 at its operations in Chile reached 442,500 tonnes, ahead of the original forecast for the year of 433,000 tonnes. The expected decrease compared with the 2008 production of 477,700 tonnes was mainly due to lower plant throughput at Los Pelambres. Full year molybdenum production at Los Pelambres was unchanged from 2008 at 7,800 tonnes.