On Thursday afternoon (July 31), a copper mine belonging to the Chilean National Copper Corporation Codelco experienced a partial collapse due to an earthquake, resulting in at least one worker dead, five trapped underground, and leading to the temporary suspension of operations at the world’s largest underground copper mine. Currently, Chilean rescue teams are intensifying the search for the five trapped miners.
According to media reports, the El Teniente copper mine is located in the central Chilean city of Rancagua. The earthquake, measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale on Thursday, triggered the collapse at the copper mine, causing the death of one miner, trapping five others, and injuring nine more.
According to the US Geological Survey’s earthquake information network, at 21:34 GMT on July 31 (5:34 Beijing time on August 1), a shallow earthquake of magnitude 5.0 occurred approximately 35 kilometers from Rancagua.
El Teniente Mine General Manager Andres Music stated at a press conference on Friday afternoon that at least 100 people have been involved in the arduous rescue operation, which is crucial in the next 48 hours following the accident that occurred nearly 12 hours ago.
He said, “There have been subsequent collapses and earthquakes that have prevented rescue teams from reaching the area where the workers are trapped. So far, we have been unable to establish contact with them (the trapped miners) as the tunnels have completely collapsed and are sealed off.”
It is understood that at the time of the incident, these miners were working underground at a depth of over 900 meters, and their exact locations have been pinpointed through specialized equipment.
Codelco’s board chairman Máximo Pacheco promised at the Friday press conference, “We will spare no effort in rescuing these five trapped miners.”
General Manager Andres Music of the El Teniente Mine area expressed, “This is one of the biggest mining disasters the mine site has experienced in decades. The headquarters is currently investigating whether this ‘earthquake incident’ was a natural phenomenon or triggered by drilling activities.”
Chile’s Minister of Mining Aurora Williams has announced the suspension of operations in the mine area.
The El Teniente copper mine has been in operation since the early 20th century, with a total tunnel length of 4,500 kilometers. Last year, the mine produced over 392 million tons of copper, accounting for nearly 7% of Chile’s copper production.
Chile is the world’s largest copper producer, with a production of approximately 5.8 million tons in 2024, representing nearly a quarter of global supply.