chile copper exports down 22pc in jan

Chile exports 246,000 mt refined copper in January, down 22%

Santiago (Platts)--25Feb2008

Chilean exports of refined copper fell 22% in January to 246,000 mt from
January 2007, the country's customs service said in its monthly report. The
exports were valued at $1.637 billion, down 12% on year.

China was the main customer for Chile's refined copper, buying metal
worth $421 million, followed by Italy, The Netherlands and France, together
representing 36% of the total.

Exports of copper concentrate rose 12% to $1.187 billion in January from
January 2007.

China was also the chief destination for exports of copper concentrate,
followed by Japan, South Korea and India, together buying $879 million or 74%
of the total.

Total copper exports fell 4% to $3.248 billion in January from January
2007, the report said.