BHP plans to replace coal with renewables at two huge copper mines in Chile

Mining giant says contracts will cut energy prices by 20% and save 3m tonnes of carbon

The mining giant BHP has signed four renewable energy contracts that will replace coal-fired power at two of its copper mines in Chile, a move it says will mean both sites are fully powered by renewables by the mid-2020s.

The company said on Monday it had signed the contracts for its Escondida and Spence copper mine operations. BHP's Escondida mine, in Chile's Atacama Desert, is the world's largest copper producer.