Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, also said
Friday that 2022 production totaled 1.446 million tonnes, a
10.6% drop from 2021 but in line with a previous results
preview.
The company on Friday reported its 2022 pre-tax profit fell to $2.75 billion, hit by operational issues that affected sale volumes.
Its direct production costs rose 24.6% to $1.654 per pound from $1.327 the year before.
Sougarret added Friday that major maintenance of its Chuquicamata smelter is expected to be completed in April.
On the price of the metal in 2023, the company said it expects copper to reach between $3.5 and $4.4 per pound.
Chairman Maximo Pacheco said in January that Codelco had
seen a drop in production in 2022 amid operational problems due
to project delays.
(Reporting by Fabian Cambero; Writing by Carolina Pulice;
Editing by Isabel Woodford and Deepa Babington)
