Strategists point out that the deadly storm in Chile has disrupted copper mining operations in the country, exacerbating supply tightness in the market and potentially driving up copper prices. Chile is the world’s largest copper producer, and the country has recently experienced heavy snowfall, flooding, and strong winds, causing operational disruptions at major producers such as Anglo American, Antofagasta, and Lending Mining. For example, it may take two to three weeks for operations at Lending Mining’s Caserones mine to resume. Against the backdrop of surging demand for refined copper from AI infrastructure and power grids, any long-term impact on Chile’s copper output could further drive up copper prices.