HIGHLIGHTS-Top copper mining executives meet in Chile

April 14 (Reuters) - Top copper mining executives have flocked to Santiago, Chile, to discuss the state of the industry as companies' margins are squeezed by falling prices, which have forced the toughest cost-cutting in years.

The following are some key comments made at the Cesco/CRU event on Tuesday:

DIEGO HERNANDEZ, CEO OF ANTOFAGASTA PLC

On productivity:

"Productivity is a great challenge for the mining industry in Chile. This is not just an issue for the copper industry, but for the country, it affects the whole economy."

On rising costs and falling ore grades:

"Investments to improve extraction capacity and processing have helped to compensate, but have not been enough."

On Chilean labor reform:

"A number of the proposed measures could have a negative impact on the equilibrium between workers and company."

OSCAR GONZALEZ ROCHA, CEO OF SOUTHERN COPPER CORP

On Tia Maria project:

"(It could start production) at the end of 2017, or start of 2018 if we achieve construction approval in one to two months."

NELSON PIZARRO, CEO OF CODELCO

On costs:

"Chile continues being the country with higher costs for copper mining."

On Codelco's plans:

"Codelco expects over $22.5 billion in investment over the next five years."

"We are looking to maintain production of around 1.7 million tonnes between 2015 and 2019 ... and develop simultaneously, or almost simultaneously, up to six large-scale projects."

On a troubled roaster at Ministro Hales mine:

"At Ministro Hales we have still needed to make significant corrections to the process of transforming high arsenic concentrates.

"We are hoping in the next two to three months to have this process finally concluded."

On the Chuquicamata mine:

"We are developing an alternative to feed our concentrator should there be an eventual delay in the 'Chuqui' underground project."

JORGE GOMEZ, HEAD OF ANGLO AMERICAN/GLENCORE (Xetra: A1JAGV - news) 'S COLLAHUASI MINE

On recovery after a difficult 2012:

"We have had two successful years of recovery ... thanks to stabilization already carried out, but we recognize that there is still more to do."

"During the first quarter we had a relatively normal performance but each time you stress the systems you start to see things that weren't on the radar and we have had to go back a little, but that is normal."

JEAN-SEBASTIEN JACQUES, COPPER & COAL CEO OF RIO TINTO PLC

On investment:

"Although it is tempting, we should not get completely lost in the present challenging copper situation. We shouldn't, because none of us in this industry build for the short term."

"We don't live month-to-month, we invest with a long-term view, and in that sense, I am not just not worried ... I am very encouraged."

"We know it is harder ... when money is tight, when uncertainty in the short term makes it hard to plan for the long term, and when it is tempting to batten down the hatches and ride out the storm."

"I firmly believe this would be the wrong thing for our industry to do. Now (NYSE: DNOW - news) is the time to keep investing, keep innovating, and keep creating value at all points of the cycle."

On demand:

"Between now and 2020 alone, just five years, global demand for copper semis will rise by more than 20 percent, as more than two billion people on this planet continue the largest mass migration into middle-class life ever seen in human history."

"Look at China ... its economy is cooling. But it is growing off of a much larger base, and 5 percent growth in copper use today is equivalent to 12 percent growth a decade ago."

"India's power generation is expected to double in the next 15 years. This will require a significant upgrade in grid capacity and associated increase in copper required, particularly in dense urban areas." (Reporting by Anthony Esposito, Fabian Cambero and Josephine Mason (Shenzhen: 002654.SZ - news) , compiled by Rosalba O'Brien; editing by G Crosse and Marguerita Choy)