NEWS RELEASE, 15 AUGUST 2016

CHANGE OF SENIOR INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR

AND AUDIT AND RISK COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

Antofagasta plc (the "Company") announces that Mr. Manuel Lino Silva de Sousa-Oliveira (Ollie Oliveira), a Non-Executive Director of the Company since 2011, has been appointed Senior Independent Director and Chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee with effect from 1 September 2016.

Mr. Oliveira succeeds Mr. William Hayes in both roles. Mr. Hayes has served as the Senior Independent Director since 2011 and will continue to serve as a member of the Audit and Risk Committee.