Appointment of Non Executive Director

NEWS RELEASE, 28 March, 2014

APPOINTMENT OF NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Antofagasta plc (the "Company") announces that Ms. Vivianne Blanlot was appointed a Non-Executive Director of the Company by the Board on 27 March 2014.

Ms. Blanlot is an economist with extensive experience across the energy, mining, water and environmental sectors and has worked in the public and private sector in Chile. She served as Executive Director of the Environmental Agency in Chile (Comisión Nacional de Medio Ambiente) from 1995 to 1997, Undersecretary of Energy (Comisión Nacional de Energía) from 2000 to 2003 and Minister of Defence from 2006 to 2007, among other relevant positions. Ms. Blanlot is currently a non-executive director of Colbún S.A., an energy company listed on the Santiago stock exchange. She is also a member of the Transparency Council (Consejo Para La Transparencia), the Chilean body responsible for enforcing transparency in the public sector. Ms. Blanlot has a degree in economics from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and an MA in Applied Economics from the American University of Washington, DC.

Ms. Blanlot, aged 59, is based in Santiago and is a Chilean citizen.

Mr. Jean-Paul Luksic, Chairman of the Company said today: "On behalf of the Board, we are very pleased that Ms. Blanlot has accepted our invitation to join the Board as a Non-Executive Director. She brings extensive experience across the energy, mining, water and environmental sectors and I'm sure she will greatly benefit Antofagasta as it continues to enhance its business strategy."

For the purposes of the UK Corporate Governance Code, Ms. Blanlot is considered by the Board to be independent. Save as disclosed above, there are no further disclosures under Listing Rule 9.6.13(1) to (6) required in respect of Ms. Blanlot.

____________

Investors - London Media (Brunswick)

Andrew Lindsay [email protected] Carole Cable [email protected]

Clare Wood [email protected] Robin Wrench [email protected]

Chris Wilson [email protected]

Telephone +44 20 7808 0988 Telephone +44 20 7404 5959

Investors - Santiago

Alejandro Rivera [email protected]

Telephone +56 2 2798 7000

____________