Chilean copper miner Codelco said on Thursday it was suspending refinery and foundry operations at its sprawling Chuquicamata division to prevent further spread of the new coronavirus.
The world’s biggest copper miner said in a statement that the measure was "transitory" in nature and aimed at "reducing exposure, reinforcing preventive efforts and controls for the safety and health of people" working in the affected areas of the division.
It said operations would be wound up gradually as shifts come to an end, and involved the temporary standing-down of 400 people, a mix of staffers and contractors. It said minor production and maintenance work would continue at both operations.