Centinela strike tests Antofagasta stock as output guidance holds

Published on 10/08/2026 at 12:25 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

Centinela strike involves 709 workers, with guidance at 625,000-655,000 tonnes. Antofagasta stock costs EUR 42.95 on October 8, 2026 versus EUR 44.25.

Aquarell der Atacama-Wüste mit Anden-Bergketten und kleiner Minensiedlung im Hintergrund — Aquarellmalerei der Atacama-Wüstenlandschaft symbolisiert Antofagasta plc GB0000456144 mit Anden-Bergen und ferner Minensiedlung, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

Antofagasta plc (ISIN GB0000456144) was at EUR 42.95 at Lang & Schwarz on October 8, 2026 at 12:18 p.m. CEST, down 2.94 percent versus the prior close of EUR 44.25. A strike at the Centinela mine has become the latest operating test as the company keeps its full-year copper guidance unchanged.

Centinela strike starts

Two unions at Antofagasta Minerals' Centinela mine in Chile launched a strike on October 7 involving 709 workers, according to Shanghai Metals Market on October 8, 2026.

The company said the action had affected mining, haulage and mine-development activities, while processing plants could initially continue receiving ore. The same report said the projected full-year production outlook remained unchanged at 625,000-655,000 tonnes of copper, leaving strike duration as the key operational variable for the fourth quarter.

Strong earnings meet lower output

Antofagasta's first-half 2026 EBITDA rose 27.00 percent year over year to USD 2.84 billion, according to the Yahoo Finance transcript dated August 13, 2026. The EBITDA margin reached 63.00 percent, while cash flow from operations increased 53.00 percent during the same period.

The earnings strength came alongside a lower production outlook after severe weather at Los Pelambres. Management said first-half 2026 copper production guidance was 625,000-655,000 tonnes, while net cash cost guidance remained USD 1.15-1.35 per pound. That combination leaves copper pricing and operational delivery as the central counterweights to the positive margin result.

Euro quote falls in trading

The Lang & Schwarz price stood at EUR 42.95 in trading on October 8, 2026 at 12:18 p.m. CEST, down EUR 1.30 or 2.94 percent against the prior close of EUR 44.25. The primary-market quote was GBp 3,617 on October 8, 2026 at 11:25 a.m. BST, while its 52-week range was GBp 2,496-4,475.

The further course of trading is shown by the continuously updated real-time quote of Antofagasta stock.