The Chuquicamata smelter and refinery complex at the Codelco Norte division will continue to operate normally, state copper producer Codelco said in a statement.

The statement refuted information previously reported by paper Diario de Atacama, which quoted union representatives saying that Codelco had decided to shut down the complex due to high costs.

Codelco clarified that just one furnace – processing scrap material and remaining parts of anodes previously processed – will be permanently closed as a result of high costs at the operation.

Codelco said the division conducted several studies trying to find a way to maintain operations, but they were unsuccessful. The company added that part of the scrap material previously used to feed the furnace will now be used to feed the concentrator plant, while the remaining material will be sold to small operations.

Finally, Codelco said closure of the furnace will not affect the division’s production capacity or development plans.

Union representatives previously stated they were worried about the fate of about 80 workers, without clarifying if they were directly related to the operation of the closed furnace or other parts of the complex, the paper said.

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