Chilean Storms Disrupt Copper Supply Chain as Caserones Mine Restart Delayed

Copper mining in Chile's arid north is known for its risks, but recent storms have pushed operators to their limits. On July 18, 2026, Lundin Mining's Caserones mine lost power due to damage from a severe winter storm system that destroyed two high-voltage powerline towers.

The outage took the entire processing capacity offline, forcing the site to rely on backup diesel generators for critical safety and environmental infrastructure. Repair teams were mobilized promptly, and access roads to the site were progressively cleared to allow personnel and equipment movement.

Lundin announced a two-to-three-week restart timeline contingent on successful tower reconstruction and transmission line reinstatement. The company confirmed that employees had been safely managed through crew rotations during the disruption period.