Chile's Copper Shipments Sink to One-Year Low Amid Mine Disruptions

Chile's copper shipments hit a one-year low in August, despite surging prices. The country's mining industry has struggled this year due to operational setbacks and severe winter storms that disrupted mines during July and August.

Copper exports were valued at $4.62 billion last month, down 14% from July and 3.2% from a year earlier, according to central bank data released Monday. This was the lowest monthly tally since July 2025.

The drop in copper shipments came as prices strengthened, with the average price in August more than 40% higher than the year earlier. The production struggles in Chile are helping to underpin copper prices and tighten a global supply picture already strained by disruptions elsewhere.