SANTIAGO, Jan 13 （Reuters） - Codelco's Andina copper mine in Chile will resume normal operations within hours and expects no output losses after a fire briefly shut down its underground operations, a company official told Reuters on Thursday.
Ricardo Alvarez, head of Codelco's south-central operations, said the fire was put out and that workers should return to the mine site soon.
Andina, which produces more than 200,000 tonnes of copper a year, has both open pit and underground operations.
The fire, which started at an idled crusher that was being dismantled, did not cause any injuries, the company said.
Workers are usually evacuated from underground mines as part of safety protocol to prevent smoke inhalation.
Copper prices in New York HGc3 were unchanged after news of the fire, trading lower after two days of gains on concerns demand may wane in top consumer China.
No. 3 deposit, has underpinned prices in recent weeks amid views of a supply deficit in 2011.
Codelco [CODEL.UL], the world's top copper producer, plans to invest billions of dollars in coming years to turn Andina into its largest operation.
Smoke from a fire at nearby El Teniente underground mine, which is now owned by Codelco, killed 355 workers by asphyxia in 1945, turning into one of the deadliest mining accidents ever. （Reporting by Alonso Soto）
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