By Fabian Cambero
SANTIAGO (Reuters) – production from Chile’s Codelco, the world’s largest producer of the red metal, reached 1.328 million metric tons last year, according to an internal document seen by Reuters on Wednesday.
The closely watched final number had not previously been reported but Chairman Maximo Pacheco said earlier this week that 2024 output was “slightly higher” than the 1.325 million tons produced in 2023.
Faced with declining ore grades, accidents and mistakes at major construction projects, Codelco has been struggling to boost production from 25-year lows and revved up production at the end of the year to hit its 2024 target.