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SANTIAGO, March 30 - Chile, the world's No. 1 copper producer, said Tuesday its output of the red metal rose 3.8 percent to 394,742 tonnes in February from a year ago, reinforcing the view that a massive earthquake on Feb. 27 had no real impact on production.

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Chile, the world’s main copper producing country, said Monday output is likely to reach a record high this year as BHP Billiton (ASX, NYSE:BHP) ramps up supply and state-owned Codelco starts a new mine in the Atacama Desert. Based on the report published by the Chilean Copper Commission (Cochilco), the South American nation expects to generate 5.59 million tons of red metal this year, up 3% from 2012 levels. The country also forecasts world copper supply exceeding demand by 56,000 tons this year and 68,000 tons in 2014. BHP is increasing production at its Escondida mine, in Chile’s arid north, over 20%, while State’s owned Codelco is aiming to lift output to 1.7 million tons with activity starting at its Ministro Hales mine, reports Diario Financiero (in Spanish).

Chile, the world’s main copper producer, sees its output exceeding the 6 million tonnes-mark for the first time this year thanks mainly to privately held mines, the National Mining Association, Sonami, said Wednesday.

Anglo American has declined to comment on reports it is seeking to sell its three smallest copper mines in Chile and one smelter, despite confirming it is reviewing its global assets portfolio.

The price of copper has jumped to the highest level in five weeks after the huge earthquake in Chile.

Production at some of the largest mines resumed on Sunday, although Chile's mining minister said it could take two days for production to resume.

While port activities at San Antonia are closed, the larger and more important ports of Antofagasta and Mejillones were unaffected by the quake. As long as ports are open, the export of copper from Chile may see little disruption. Meanwhile, mines in northern Chile appear to be operating normally. BHP Billiton said its copper mines weren't affected, while a Codelco spokesman said its northern Chilean mines are operating normally.

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. is looking to sell its large Candelaria copper mine in Chile, an asset sale that could raise several billion dollars, according to people familiar with the matter. The mine has attracted interest from Magris Resources Inc., a Toronto-based mining-investment vehicle headed by former Barrick Gold Corp. chief executive Aaron Regent, according to these people. Phoenix-based Freeport, which...