Climate Adaptation
Water Scarcity Is Starting to Bite in Biggest Copper Supplier
- Chilean court ordered a BHP mine to halt groundwater pumping
- Antofagasta cut annual output guidance on water constraints
Photographer: Andrey Rudakov/Bloomberg
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Water shortages are starting to threaten copper production in a country that accounts for more than a quarter of global supply.
In Chile this week, a BHP Group mine was ordered to halt groundwater pumping for three months, while Antofagasta Plc warned it will produce less than expected this year amid water supply constraints.