According to the China Earthquake Networks Center, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the Antofagasta Region in northern Chile at 5:52 AM Beijing time on May 26, 2026 (5:52 PM local time on May 25), with a focal depth of approximately 114 kilometers. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) measured the focal depth at approximately 109 kilometers. Within a 200-kilometer radius of the epicenter, 21 earthquakes of magnitude 3 or above have occurred in the past five years, the largest being a 7.3-magnitude earthquake on July 19, 2024.
The Antofagasta Region is Chile's core mining area and a globally significant copper mining hub. Following the earthquake, the global copper market quickly turned its attention to local mine production and transportation conditions.
Codelco stated that due to low visibility in mine pits and localized power outages, the company had suspended some production activities and initiated safety inspection procedures. According to SMM, Codelco's mine in the region has now resumed normal production. Global mining giant BHP and Antofagasta PLC indicated that their operations were largely unaffected, but they had temporarily halted some operations in accordance with emergency protocols to conduct safety assessments of facilities.
Chile's National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (SENAPRED) reported that the earthquake triggered landslides in some production areas, and Calama experienced power outages and localized water supply disruptions. However, no casualties or major infrastructure damage had been reported so far, and ports and major transportation facilities were currently operating normally.
Although the earthquake was of a relatively high magnitude, its deep focal depth, combined with Chile's relatively mature seismic-resistant mining infrastructure, means the actual impact of this event on the global copper supply chain is temporarily limited, with effects primarily manifesting as short-term sentiment disruptions.
However, as the world's largest copper-producing country, Chile holds a pivotal position in the global copper supply chain. Data from China's General Administration of Customs showed that from January to April 2026, China imported a total of 9.9151 million mt in physical content of copper concentrates, of which 3.0526 million mt in physical content were imported from Chile, accounting for approximately 30.79%. Chile remains China's largest source of copper concentrate imports. Against the backdrop of already tight global copper concentrate supply and persistently low treatment charges (TCs), any production disruption from Chile's core mining areas could trigger copper price fluctuations. Should mine shutdowns persist, port transportation be hindered, or power restoration be delayed, this could further push up international copper prices and the performance of related non-ferrous metals sectors. As of now, major miners in Chile have not yet disclosed any significant facility damage or long-term shutdown information.
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