Directorate Change

Antofagasta plc 

RETIREMENT OF MR. CHARLES BAILEY AS A NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THE NEXT ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

London, 4 May 2011:-

In accordance with Listing Rule 9.6.11, Antofagasta plc (the "Company") announces that Mr. Charles Bailey, a Non-Executive Director of the Company, has informed the Company of his intention to retire from the Board at the end of the Company's Annual General Meeting to be held on 8 June 2011. Accordingly, the Company proposes not to put the resolution to re-elect Mr Bailey as a Non-Executive Director to the Annual General Meeting. Mr. Bailey is currently Senior Independent Director, chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Remuneration and Nomination Committees.

Mr. Jean-Paul Luksic, Chairman of the Board, said, "Charles has been a very effective and distinguished member of the Board and its committees. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank him for his strong contribution to the success of Antofagasta for many years and wish him all the best for the future."

A further announcement will be made in due course regarding a successor Senior Independent Director and any changes to the composition of the Company's Board committees.