Antofagasta profit beats on better cost management amid weak copper

Chilean miner Antofagasta on Thursday reported a slightly better-than-expected first-half profit, bolstered by higher copper sales, by-product revenue and lower cost of production but offset by lower copper prices.

Prices of the red metal, which is widely used in electrical components and renewable energy, have taken a hit this year by the prolonged Sino-U.S. trade war that has threatened demand and dimmed outlook.