Antofagasta Minerals has decided to temporarily suspend contracts with companies contracted to build the $1.3 billion INCO project of Minera Los Pelambres, said the copper giant in a news release today.
The company said it is acting to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Antofagasta said the suspension has a maximum duration of up to 120 days, and it should not "..lead to the termination of contracts."
"We want to maintain a contractual relationship with most of the contractor companies with which we are working today, but we must accept that, given the current conditions, many cannot do the work for which they are contracted," said Francisco Walther, Vice President of Projects at Antofagasta Minerals, in a statement.