World top copper producer Chile keeps output steady in May even as coronavirus explodes

World top copper producer Chile held its production of copper steady in May versus the previous year even as the coronavirus outbreak exploded in the South American nation, according to data released on Thursday by State copper agency Cochilco.

The fast-spreading pandemic in Chile has rattled markets. The country's Andean and northern desert deposits account for nearly one-third the world's supply of the red metal.

The mining giant has nonetheless managed to boost its production in the face of the outbreak, churning out 492 500 t from its sprawling mines in May, a 1% increase over the same month the previous year. The country´s output since January has risen 3.9%, to 2.4-million tonnes, the agency said.