Peruvian copper-zinc miner, Antamina has temporarily suspended its operations effective April 13, in response to the government regulations to contain the COVID-19 outbreak. The miner earlier was operating with a reduced workforce under an exemption from the Peruvian government during a 15-day national emergency quarantine period.
The government has extended its national emergency until April 26, which was initially to end on April 12. The government has also allowed Antamina to rest the personnel who were maintaining critical operations since the past four weeks. Antamina expects to resume operations with fresh crews after two weeks.
Antaminia produced 111,400mt of copper in the Jan-Mar quarter, down by 6,600mt from a year ago and 79,100mt of zinc, down by 7pc. Antamina mining operations are jointly owned by Teck Resources, BHP, Glencore and Mitsubishi Corporation.