CHILE · MINING
Key Facts
- The country Chile is a South American country and a major copper producer, so its mining companies matter to global metal markets.
- What happened Antofagasta, a London-listed Chilean copper miner, added former BHP executive Carlos Ávila as an independent non-executive director on Wednesday 14 October.
- The company Antofagasta has four copper mines in Chile and is chaired by Jean-Paul Luksic, whose family name is also on the board.
- Why it matters Copper goes into power grids, electric cars and data centres, so who advises a big producer matters to investors and buyers.
- Also changing Heather Lawrence becomes Senior Independent Director on 1 November, replacing Francisca Castro, who stays on the board.
- Power Index Chile ranks 3rd of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 63.6 points (October 2026 edition).
- Still open The company has not said what Ávila will focus on or how the new director will shape its copper plans.
The Antofagasta board has a new member from the global mining group BHP: Carlos Ávila joined it on Wednesday 14 October. Antofagasta, a London-listed Chilean copper miner, announced the appointment on Thursday 15 October.
Ávila joins as an independent non-executive director, a board member who oversees the company without running daily operations. Diario Financiero, a Chilean business daily, reported that the board now has 11 members.
What the Antofagasta Board Announced
Antofagasta plc told the market on Thursday 15 October that Carlos Ávila had joined the Antofagasta board the day before. The company’s board considers him independent under the UK Corporate Governance Code, the rulebook London-listed companies follow.
Chairman Jean-Paul Luksic said the company was “very pleased that Carlos has accepted our invitation to join the Board.” He added that Ávila’s “comprehensive mining expertise will be of great benefit to the Company over the coming years.”
The announcement lists no committee role for the new director. La Tercera, a Chilean daily, reported that the company ran a selection process with the help of an outside firm.
Who Carlos Ávila Is
Ávila is a mining engineer from the University of Chile with a master’s degree from the Colorado School of Mines in the United States. He also holds diplomas from Colorado State University and the University of Oxford.
He has more than 30 years in mining, including 19 at BHP, the global mining group that runs the Escondida copper mine in Chile. His last BHP post was Asset President for Non-Operating Joint-Ventures Minerals Americas.
Diario Financiero reported that this job covered assets in Peru, Colombia, the United States and Brazil. La Tercera reported that he was earlier a vice president for mining projects and for planning at Escondida.
Before BHP he spent more than 13 years at Codelco, Chile’s state-owned copper company, in planning, operations and mine development. He has also sat on the boards of the BHP Foundation, Peru’s Antamina mine and Samarco Mineração, a Brazilian iron-ore producer.
A Board in Transition
Ávila’s arrival follows a year of turnover on the Antofagasta board. In January, Andrónico Luksic Craig left after 12 years, saying he was over 70 and wanted to make room for new generations.
Andrónico Luksic Lederer joined the board on 1 March 2026. Until then he was vice president of development at Antofagasta Minerals, the group’s Chilean mining arm.
In August, Juan Claro resigned as a non-executive director with effect from 31 August, after serving on the board since 2005. Chairman Luksic thanked him for his contribution over the last twenty years.
The 15 October announcement also reshuffles board roles. From 1 November, Heather Lawrence becomes Senior Independent Director and joins the Nomination and Governance Committee.
What the Senior Independent Director Does
A Senior Independent Director is the board member that shareholders and fellow directors can approach with concerns about the chairman. Francisca Castro has held the role since 8 August 2023.
She steps down from it on 1 November and leaves the Nomination and Governance Committee, which handles board appointments. She remains a director of Antofagasta.
Antofagasta at a Glance
Antofagasta is a copper mining group based in Chile that was incorporated in London in 1888 as a railway company. Its mines are Los Pelambres, Centinela, Antucoya and Zaldívar, where it holds a 50% share.
On the same day, the company reported third-quarter copper output of 151.9 kilotonnes, up 7% from the second quarter. Output for the first nine months was 436.9 kilotonnes, down 8.3% from a year earlier.
Antofagasta kept its 2026 copper production guidance, its own forecast, at 625,000 to 655,000 tonnes. The London-listed parent also owns Antofagasta Minerals, its Chilean mining arm, and a rail business.
What It Means for You
If you hold London-listed mining shares or copper funds, the appointment is a governance step, not a change in output or earnings. It brings a former BHP asset chief to the Antofagasta board after several changes this year.
For US readers, copper is a core metal for power grids, electric vehicles and data centres, and Chile is a major supplier. The Antofagasta board now includes an executive who oversaw BHP assets that included US operations, according to Diario Financiero.
Readers following Chile’s mining sector can also read about the Antofagasta first-half results and the Chile natural resources guide. Recent labour talks at BHP’s Escondida mine show why mining experience matters on Chile’s boards.
What Is Not Known
Antofagasta has not said what Ávila will focus on, or whether he will join any committee of the Antofagasta board. The announcement gives no figure for his pay.
The company has not linked the appointment to any project, acquisition or change in its copper plans. Whether the new director will sit on the Projects Committee, which oversees mine investments, is open.
More: Chile news in English, every day from The Rio Times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Carlos Ávila?
Carlos Ávila is a University of Chile mining engineer with over 30 years in the industry, including 19 at BHP and 13 at Codelco. He joined the Antofagasta board on 14 October 2026.
Does Ávila now run Antofagasta?
No. A non-executive director oversees and advises management rather than running the company. Jean-Paul Luksic remains chairman.
What else changed on the Antofagasta board?
On 1 November 2026, Heather Lawrence becomes Senior Independent Director of the Antofagasta board and joins its Nomination and Governance Committee. Francisca Castro steps down from that role but stays on the board.
Does the Antofagasta board news change copper output?
The announcement does not touch production plans. In a separate report on 15 October, Antofagasta kept its 2026 forecast at 625,000 to 655,000 tonnes of copper.
Where does Antofagasta mine copper?
Antofagasta’s mines are Los Pelambres, Centinela and Antucoya in Chile, plus a 50% share of Zaldívar. The group is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Sources: Antofagasta plc, Board Changes, 15 October 2026; Antofagasta plc, Q3 2026 Production Report, 15 October 2026; Diario Financiero, 15 October 2026; La Tercera, 15 October 2026; Antofagasta plc, Director Change and Changes to Board Committees, 12 August 2026; Reporte Minero, 28 January 2026.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
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