Most residents had power restored by midnight but the situation remained unstable. President Gabriel Boric blamed power companies for not acting faster.

Chile's state miner Codelco (COBRE.UL), the world's largest copper producer, said on Wednesday it was evaluating the impacts of a nationwide powercut on its production, and that recovery would be its main focus.

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Electricity providers across Chile scrambled to restore service Tuesday after a sweeping blackout plunged 90% of the country into darkness, stranding commuters, knocking cell service offline and paralyzing businesses and daily life.