SANTIAGO: Chilean copper exports soared 40.5% in value in August from a year earlier amid high global prices for the red metal, the central bank said on Tuesday.

The price of copper - a key metal in construction and electric vehicle manufacturing - hit record highs earlier this year and has remained higher than long-term averages, bringing a windfall to Chile, the world's top copper producer.

Total exports of copper jumped to $4.383 billion last month, more than half the value of the country's overall exports, which hit $7.822 billion in August.

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Chile reported a trade surplus of $6 million, the bank said, as imports in August also soared 73%, to $7.816 billion.

Chile's state miner Codelco is the world's largest copper producer and global miners BHP, Anglo American and Antofagasta, among others, also have operations in the country.