Chile’s copper production dropped 12.8% year-on-year in August 2026 to 369.5 metric tons, marking its lowest output level since February 2011 and deepening the 9.4% decline recorded in the previous month. The contraction reflects the lingering impact of a July storm that disrupted mining operations. The sharp fall in output from Chile, the world’s largest copper producer, has intensified concerns in the physical copper market, where signs of tightening supply were already evident.