Codelco says it will temporarily suspend some of its projects as part of its measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

This will affect construction on the Chuquicamata Underground Mine project, which was previously expected to produce 320,000 t/y of fine copper by around 2026; the early works of Rajo Inca, a 70,000 t/y copper concentrate project; and the assembly works of Traspaso Andina, which will see a new transfer system installed at the Andina division.

The decision will strengthen the health security of the divisions since the number of workers on site will be reduced to a minimum, and air and land transfers will be also be scaled back. Codelco said many of its project workers come from different regions of the country, hence the reason to reduce transfers.

The suspension will be carried out gradually, starting March 25, and will last 15 days, Codelco said. In all affected projects, limited staff will be retained to safeguard the security of the facilities and equipment.

Codelco said the measures will have no impact on production of the respective divisions – which continue to operate with increased safeguards – but will see the number of workers circulating decrease.

It added that it will continue to evaluate the implementation of new measures that protect the health of all workers while also maintaining operational continuity.