The National Copper Corporation of Chile (Codelco) restarted operations in its El Teniente and Andina mines, after the massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake that shook the country's central-south region on Saturday.

Codelco, Chile's leading copper producer, said in a statement that underground structures of the state-run El Teniente and Andina mines were not damaged by the earthquake.

El Teniente, located about 120 km southeast of the capital Santiago, is the world's largest copper mine and produces more than 400,000 tons of copper each year. Andina's annual production is 150,000 tons.

Britain's transnational mine Anglo American also resumed operations at its Los Bronces and El Soldado copper mines after power was restored.

Chile is the world's largest copper producer. The country's major mines are located in the north, which was not affected by the quake.

(Xinhua News Agency March 2, 2010)