In a tragic incident that has captured international attention, the Chilean state mining company Codelco has launched an international audit to investigate the collapse at its Lieutenant site, which claimed the lives of six workers. This tragic event marks the deadliest mining accident in over three decades at the world’s largest underground copper mine.
During a press conference, Máximo Pacheco , the president of Codelco’s Board of Directors, emphasized the significance of the audit. “We will engage the foremost experts not only in geomechanics and geophysics , but also in underground mining and safety protocols,” he stated. He assured that the findings would be reported directly to the Board, which aims to uncover the failures that led to this calamity.
The collapse , commonly referred to as a ” rock burst ,” occurred after a 4.2 magnitude earthquake struck the Andesite sector of the mine, situated about 120 kilometers south of Santiago . The timing of the earthquake has raised questions about its origin, as investigations seek to determine whether it was a natural occurrence or a result of Codelco’s mining activities.
The sequence of events began shortly after the earthquake triggered a detachment at the Andesite sector, claiming the life of one worker nearly instantly. Codelco promptly reported that a group of five more miners was trapped in a nearby area known as the Lieutenant 7 level . This initiated a desperate rescue operation to reach the miners, whose health and status were unknown, as communication was lost.
By Saturday, hopes dimmed as the first of the five bodies was discovered. As time progressed, the reality set in, confirming the worst fears—none of the miners had survived. The situation reflected the dangers associated with underground mining, an industry notorious for its perilous working conditions.
In addition to the audit, the Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation to examine whether there was any negligence on Codelco’s part. The collapse site has been cordoned off as investigative teams work comprehensively to unravel the circumstances surrounding the tragedy. Pacheco assured that Codelco would fully cooperate in the inquiry, acknowledging the need for transparency and accountability.
If any responsibility is determined, Codelco will implement strict measures, as affirmed by Pacheco, who emphasized the absence of previous complaints regarding earthquake activity from workers. Mining operations in the underground section remain halted, although surface operations are still ongoing, leading to uncertainties about when full operations can resume.
With an extensive network of over 4,500 kilometers of tunnels , the Lieutenant mine produced 356,000 metric tons of fine copper in 2024 alone, making it a vital source of copper production globally.
In the wake of this tragedy, President Gabriel Boric stated his commitment to transparency and justice. He announced a three-day national mourning period and underscored the need for thorough investigations to hold accountable those responsible for this tragedy, ensuring that lessons are learned to prevent future incidents.
(With EFE information)