BHP Billiton’s Chilean copper production may drop

BHP Billiton’s copper production in Chile may go down due to power shortage, said Diego Hernandez, president of BHP Billiton’s base metals department. Power crisis in northern Chile grid may exert slight influence on copper production in the company’s Escondida and Cerro Colorado mines, said El Mercurio citing words from Hernandez, adding Hernandez not willing to illustrate the reason for production decline, and some mining companies in northern Chile are considering to use diesel generator for making up power demand. Hernandez said power shortage will through to 2012, when Chile’s coal-fired power stations will have been put into operation. COPYRIGHT All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of WAM News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of WAM.