An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.2 hit quake-battered Chile yesterday but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.

The quake was centred about 79 kilometres south of the northern city of Copiapo at a depth of 35 kilometres. It was felt slightly in Santiago.

"There are no preliminary reports of any damage," a spokesman at Chile's National Emergency Office ONEMI said.

Chile's Navy said there was no tsunami alert. Local radio said businesses and schools near Copiapo evacuated children and staff as a precaution.

Chile's state copper giant Codelco, the world's top producer of the red metal, said none its mining operations had been affected.