Directorate Change

Antofagasta PLC
03 May 2005



                     APPOINTMENT OF NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS


London:  3 May 2005:-  Antofagasta plc announces the appointment today of two
additional Non-Executive Directors, Mr Juan Claro and Mr Jozsef Ambrus.  Both
are Chilean citizens.


Mr Claro, 54 years old, a Civil Engineer, is a graduate of the Universidad
Catolica de Chile.  He has held many important Board positions in major Chilean
companies (particularly in the oil and gas industries - Gasco, Metrogas,
Gasandes and Gasnor) and is currently a member of the Board of Telefonica-CTC
(the main Chilean telephone company owned by Telefonica Espana).


Mr Ambrus, 61 years old, is a graduate of the University of Chile and obtained a
PhD in Geological Sciences at the University of Salamanca in Spain.  He is a
widely experienced geologist with a renowned international reputation and has
worked from 1970 to 1980 for Codelco, ultimately as Chief Geologist.  He has
been a director and consultant of many companies around the world.


Mr Ambrus has been a non-executive Director of Antofagasta Minerals S.A. since
1997 and was recently appointed a member of the Michilla Board.  Mr Claro was
appointed a non-executive Director of Antofagasta Minerals S.A. this year.  Both
Antofagasta Minerals S.A. and Minera Michilla S.A. are part of the Antofagasta
Group.


The Company said today that they are pleased that Jozsef Ambrus and Juan Claro
have agreed to join the Board of Antofagasta plc.  They bring a wide range of
very practical experience of both Chilean and international business to the
Company.



Enquiries:

Desmond R. O'Conor
Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]

Keith Irons
Bankside Consultants
Tel: [phone]
[e-mail]






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