Codelco warns more restrictions on copper mines would be ‘catastrophic’ – report

Chile’s State-run Codelco, the world´s top copper producer, warned on Thursday any move to ramp up restrictions on its mines amid the coronavirus outbreak would be "catastrophic" for the country, the company´s chief executive said in an interview in a local daily newspaper.

CEO Octavio Araneda said the miner, which turns over all its profits to government coffers, had acted quickly and proactively to contain the virus, despite increasing criticism from unions and politicians in recent weeks.

"Once the pandemic is past, every peso we generate will help to lift our country tomorrow," Araneda said in the interview.