Chile, the world's largest supplier of copper metal, recorded its worst monthly copper production in more than 15 years in August.

This has deepened the country's economic downturn and helps explain why global market supply is tightening and copper prices keep hitting record highs.

The August production decline has added to what was already a difficult year for Chile's mining industry.

Following storms that hit several northern mines in July, severe winter weather and port disruptions in August once again affected mine operations.

These disruptions have further exacerbated other broad challenges facing the country, including declining ore grades, as well as accidents and other operational setbacks at some of its largest mines.