Chile copper mine to restart operations after deadly collapse
SANTIAGO: The world’s largest underground copper mine was set to resume operating on Sunday, after a deadly cave-in suspended work for more than a week.
Chile’s Mining Ministry ordered El Teniente to halt activity on August 1 to allow rescuers to search for five miners trapped after a “seismic event” caused the collapse of a tunnel the day before.
All five were found dead.
Whether the cause of the shaking was due to an earthquake or drilling remains under investigation.
State-owned operator Codelco said normal operations would resume on Sunday.
Chile is the world’s largest copper producer, responsible for nearly a quarter of global supply, with about 5.3 million metric tons (5.8 million tons) in 2024.
El Teniente contributed 356,000 metric tons — nearly seven percent — of the country’s total copper.
The metal is critical for wiring, motors and renewable energy technology.
Chile’s mining industry is considered among the safest in the world, with a fatality rate of 0.02 percent in 2024, according to the National Geology and Mining Service of Chile.
