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Chile’s miners eye expansion, but wait until political uncertainty lifts

Mining companies operating in Chile are examining restarting projects that were put on hold in recent years due to a copper price slump, the mining minister and industry executives said, though final investment decisions will wait until political uncertainty lifts after the November presidential elections.

The price of copper, by far Chile’s most important export, started to slowly recover in October, after years of weak demand for the red metal. So far in 2017, prices have risen 7%, and analysts expect further increases as the copper market moves toward a deficit.