Despite unfavourable global conditions, the country mined about 5.8 million tonnes of the metal in 2013, exceeding Sonami’s own expectations of 5.5 million.

BHP Billiton’s Escondida mine, and Glencore Xstrata/Anglo American Collahuasi were singled out as the main contributors to the improvement in Chile’s mining industry in the past months.

Overall, Sonami said, the sector grew by 5.5% last year, with a value of exports totalling US$ 4.7 billion.

In terms of prices for the commodity, the association sees copper trading between $3 and $3.2 per pound this year.

Chile supplies nearly one-third of the world’s copper demand.