Chile copper thieves are undermining security measures on mine train

In a memo, Antofagasta Plc, a miner in Chile, warned that gangs are raiding copper trains across the remote Atacama Desert, becoming more bold and tactically sophisticated. They have breached anti-theft measures which had been effective for years.

In a meeting this year, the copper miner and railroad operator raised alarms.

Chilean prosecutors claim that some 'thieves' jump from trucks to rail cars, crossing isolated desert stretches. They then throw 80-kilogram copper slabs to waiting gangs and escape into the desert. Other people use hook lines in order to remove entire stacks from slow-moving trains.

Copper stolen from illegal scrap yards is sold, melted to remove the identifying marks and sent abroad, disguised as scrap cargo, to destinations such as China.

The memo was prepared by Antofagasta in May as a follow-up meeting to the March meeting with former Security minister Maria Trinidad Steinert.

Copper is essential for manufacturing and the fast-growing markets of electric vehicles and renewable energies. The scale of robberies is still modest when compared with the monthly exports of one of the largest copper producers in the world, which were $5.37 billion last July. But any increase in copper theft remains a serious problem for Chile, which relies heavily on the export of this red metal. It supplies about a quarter the world's supply of copper.

Antofagasta’s subsidiary Ferrocarril de Antofagasta Bolivia (FCAB), operates about 700 km (435 mi) of rail used to transport copper from Antofagasta’s own mines and operations run by competitors?to port.

The thefts take place in isolated parts of northern Chile where trains transport copper cathodes over miles of desert terrain, with little nearby infrastructure or communication coverage.

Antofagasta has not responded to our request for further information.

PICKING UP THE PACE

The rate of robberies is increasing. Antofagasta recorded 86 train heists in 2018, more than twice the 39 reported by local media in 2022. In the first four month of 2026, 34 robberies had been reported, with 169 metric tonnes of stolen goods, or 71% of total 2025.

The train that carries copper from the state-owned Codelco mine in Chuquicamata is a frequent target. Antofagasta reported that it was targeted dozens of time last year. Thieves made off with $2.4million worth of red metal.

Since then, the rail operator has budgeted almost the same amount for the installation of an anti-theft enclosure and the assignment of a security team to the line.

Antofagasta stated that the "most effective control" the company had against desert heists was the cages bolted to train cars. The firm claims that recent attacks have become brazener.

Antofagasta reported that in early 2026 a train equipped with a cage containing ore from Freeport McMoRan’s El Abra Mine was struck twice within two weeks.

The train operator stated that "this shows a higher level in terms of adaptability, coordination, sophistication, and risk appetite from the gangs."

Typically, copper cargo is insured for transit to limit financial losses. The company also said that its employees are in danger. One train was attacked by criminals who stole copper in the past.

COPPER SMUGGLING CRACKDOWN

Security analysts claim that gangs are now quasi-paramilitary organizations, equipped with guns and bulletproof vests.

Authorities dismantled in April a major copper-smuggling network that had allegedly moved $917 million of the red metal from 2020 to 2025. This was the first major bust for President Jose Antonio Kast who took office in March and promised to crackdown on crime.

Andres Jouannet, the then Deputy Minister of Public Safety, promised to make rapid progress in combating copper theft. He also pledged to create working groups to address the problem. Early June, he was replaced.

The ministry has not responded to any requests for comments on the working group or the actions taken after the meeting between the Antofagasta office and the Ministry.

Codelco, and Freeport McMoRan were both targets of the thefts. Both companies did not respond to inquiries for comment.

Legislators are pledging to address the problem. Even as the number of robberies has increased, a bill to make copper theft an offense specific in the lower chamber since it passed the Senate in 2020 is still stuck.

The House Mining Committee did not provide any comment on the actions of several members.

Kast has "pushed for stronger powers to fight crime. These proposals have been met with resistance by Congress. But he also made security improvements an economic necessity, as mining companies are currently being forced to pay for increasing protection costs.

Kast stated last week that mining companies should not have to dig trenches in order to prevent the theft of equipment, or send armed guards into mines to remove product. "That's what we want."

Kast stated that "organized crime has changed." These are transnational organisations that need a different legal frame work. "We need to agree what this framework should be."

(source: Reuters)