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Good deposits are not enough: Mining labor productivity analysis in the copper industry in Chile and Peru 1992-2009

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  • Joaquín Jara, J.
  • Pérez, Patricio
  • Villalobos, Pablo

Abstract

Chile and Peru produce almost 45% of world's mine copper output. This situation reflects their natural endowment and mining tradition, but is also the result of development processes undertaken over the last decades. As a result, both countries multiplied its mine copper production in more than 3 times in the last 20 years. Mining labor productivity played a central role achieving these amazing growth rates. Although there is a consensus about the relevance of this variable for the mining industry, the specific factors behind labor productivity changes are not completely understood. In this paper we use a panel data approach to analyze labor productivity in the copper mining sector in Chile and Peru from 1992 to 2009. This technique is consistent with heterogeneity among mines and allows us to identify, describe and analyze all the different sources behind labor productivity changes. The result of the analysis shows that better deposits and operational factors are important, but not enough to explain labor productivity improvements in the copper mining industry, and instead, company specific efforts and wide industry changes, such as technology and management innovations, are as important as the evolution of the reserve base or geological features of the operations.

Suggested Citation

  • Joaquín Jara, J. & Pérez, Patricio & Villalobos, Pablo, 2010. "Good deposits are not enough: Mining labor productivity analysis in the copper industry in Chile and Peru 1992-2009," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 35(4), pages 247-256, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:jrpoli:v:35:y:2010:i:4:p:247-256
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tilton, John E. & Landsberg, Hans H., 1997. "Innovation, Productivity Growth, and the Survival of the U.S. Copper Industry," Discussion Papers 10534, Resources for the Future.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tilton, John E., 2013. "The terms of trade debate and the policy implications for primary product producers," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(2), pages 196-203.
    2. John E. Tilton, 2013. "Cyclical and Secular Determinants of Productivity in the Copper, Aluminum, Iron Ore, and Coal Industries," Working Papers 2013-11, Colorado School of Mines, Division of Economics and Business.
    3. Aleksandr Rakhmangulov & Konstantin Burmistrov & Nikita Osintsev, 2021. "Sustainable Open Pit Mining and Technical Systems: Concept, Principles, and Indicators," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-24, January.
    4. Fernandez, Viviana, 2021. "Copper mining in Chile and its regional employment linkages," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    5. Fernandez, Viviana, 2021. "Patenting trends in the mining industry," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    6. Villena, Marcelo & Greve, Fernando, 2018. "On resource depletion and productivity: The case of the Chilean copper industry," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 553-562.
    7. Beamond, Maria Teresa & Farndale, Elaine & Härtel, Charmine E.J., 2016. "MNE translation of corporate talent management strategies to subsidiaries in emerging economies," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 51(4), pages 499-510.

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