Chilean mining production declined 7.1pc in November 2019 compared to the same period in 2018, due to protests and worker strikes at metallic and non-metallic mines, according to the National Institute of Statistics (INE).
Compared to the previous year period, metallic mining decreased 7.4pc in November 2019 because of less copper extraction, the INE data indicated. Copper output fell by 6.2pc to 504,366 tonnes in November 2019 compared to the same month in 2018. The INE explained the decline to be a consequence of ulexite production decreasing.
In a show of solidarity with Chilean protests, unionized workers at BHP’s Escondida copper mine—the world’s largest—went on strike in October 2019. The country’s mass protests have caused private businesses and public infrastructure to lose billions of dollars.
According to data released by the country’s Central Bank on January 2, Chile’s economic activity contracted 3.3pc this past November because of decreased mining activity.