Antofagasta Share Price (ANTO) - Buy ANTO Shares

Antofagasta plc is a copper mining company headquartered in the UK but primarily operating in Chile. The company is listed on the London Stock Exchange and is a member of the FTSE 100 share price index. The company takes its name from a part in the north of the country, near to where operations began in the 19th century.

Antofagasta is divided into three operations: transport, water and mining, of which the mining division is the most significant. The company owns 3 mines in Chile at Michilla, Los Pelambres, and El Tesoro which produce over 400,000 tonnes of copper per year. The company's transport interest is concerned with operating the rail infrastructure in the northern part of Chile which was developed to service the mining industry. Similarly the water part of the company has a licence to distribute water in the area. The company previously had interests in banking and commercial services but these were divested and became a part of Quiñenco in 1996. Outside of Chile the company is a part of a 50:50 joint venture with Barrick Gold in Pakistan, a joint venture with Teal in Zambia and has earmarked exploration targets in Ecudor. Additionally Antofagasta is currently developing gold and copper mining operations in the Esperanza region of Chile, with full production expected to be underway by 2011. In 2007 Antofagasta had a turnover of £1.9 bn, net earnings of £690 million and a pre tax profit of £1.3 bn.