Chilean copper production declined in 2025, falling 1.6% compared to the same period in 2024, according to recently released data from Cochilco. The downturn comes despite increased output from key players like BHP’s Escondida mine and Codelco’s Salvador division, while operations at Collahuasi and Los Pelambres experienced lower production volumes.
Total national copper production reached 5,415,271 metric tons in 2025, marking the third-lowest output of the decade. This figure underscores the challenges facing the Chilean copper industry, a critical component of the global supply chain.
Codelco’s seven divisions collectively produced 1,334,389 metric tons of copper, a slight increase of 0.4% year-over-year. However, Escondida surpassed the combined output of all Codelco divisions, producing 1,345,132 metric tons of copper during 2025.
Including Codelco’s equity stakes in El Abra (49%), Anglo American Sur (20%), and Quebrada Blanca (10%), the total copper production attributed to the state-owned miner reached 1,439,607 metric tons – a 0.7% increase from 2024. Together, Codelco’s divisions and Escondida accounted for 49% of Chile’s total copper production last year, totaling 2,679,521 metric tons.
Over the past decade, Codelco’s production has trended downward, while Escondida has seen increasing output. Comparing 2015 and 2025, Codelco experienced a 23% decrease in production, while Escondida saw a 17% increase.
The 2025 production figures were recorded amidst favorable copper prices, with the metal averaging USD $4.51 per pound on the London Metal Exchange – a 9% increase compared to 2024.
Operational Challenges Impact Production
“This is now the third-lowest production figure of the last decade, following the 5.330 million tons reached in 2022 and the 5.250 million tons reached in 2023,” noted Cristián Cifuentes, senior analyst at Cesco. “Generally, 2025 was marked by structural operational events that affected national production one way or another.” These included lower ore grades, water restrictions, geotechnical instability, accidents, energy risks, climate concerns, and challenges related to tailings management.
Production at Codelco’s El Teniente division decreased by 13%, falling from 356,000 tons in December 2024 to 310,000 tons in the same period of 2025, following an accident in late July.
The Chuquicamata, Radomiro Tomic, and Ministro Hales divisions collectively produced 714,000 metric tons of fine copper. These three divisions increased their combined production by 5%, with Chuquicamata being the only one to report a decrease. Radomiro Tomic and Ministro Hales saw production increases of 56,000 tons.
Codelco’s Salvador division reported 47,000 tons of production for the year, a 724% increase compared to 2024, driven by a ramp-up in operations. This marks the first time in five years the division has reached production levels close to those seen in 2021, when output reached 53,000 tons. Andina produced the same amount as in 2024 (181,000 tons), while Gaby experienced a 21% decrease, producing 82,000 tons.
Among major private mines, only Escondida reported positive numbers. Both Collahuasi and Los Pelambres saw declines in production. Combined, the two mines produced 712,000 tons of copper in 2025, down from 890,000 tons in 2024 – a 20% decrease.
Collahuasi’s production fell by 27%, from 558,000 tons in 2024 to 406,000 tons in 2025, a decrease of 152,000 tons. The mine, jointly controlled by Anglo American and Glencore, attributed the lower output to “lower-than-expected ore grades and a higher-than-expected level of oxidation in the stockpiles, which affected copper recovery, coupled with water restrictions that have limited the performance of the concentrator plant during the year.”
Los Pelambres, which produced 306,000 tons of copper in 2025 – an 8% decrease from the previous period – explained its lower production was due to “lower processing rates due to harder ore areas and maintenance during the period.”
