LONDON, Aug 13 (Reuters) - Chilean miner Antofagasta ( ANFGF )

posted a 27% increase in half-year core earnings on

Thursday as high prices for copper offset lower production, but

a shutdown at one of its mines led it to cut its 2026 output

forecast.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation

for the first six months of the year rose to $2.84 billion from

$2.23 billion a year earlier. The miner, majority owned by

Chile's Luksic family, announced an interim dividend of 30.1

cents per share, almost double the 16.6 cents paid a year

earlier.

Antofagasta's ( ANFGF ) increase in first-half performance mirrors that of

other London-listed miners, which benefited from higher

commodity prices, including for copper that is in demand for the

energy transition. Prices were driven by the disruption linked

to war in Iran, although that has also led to increased

production costs.

The company cut its 2026 copper output estimate to between

625,000 and 655,000 metric tons, from a previous forecast of

650,000 to 700,000 tons, due to a shutdown at its Los Pelambres

mine in July after extreme rains prompted Chile's government to

declare a "state of catastrophe" in the Coquimbo Region.

Shares fell 4.6% in early London trading, underperforming

peers in the resources sector.

The miner said it would need to repair some pipeline

platforms and water management systems even though there had

been no significant impact on major infrastructure.

Cash costs in the first half were 8% lower year-on-year at $1.22

per pound, but the miner in July forecast a 20-cent increase for

the full year to $2.60 per pound, due to persistently higher

fuel prices.

Operating cash flow surged 53% to $2.77 billion on higher

earnings and lower working capital.

Citi analysts said in a note the "solid cash flow position"

should offset the negative impact of the lowered output.