Codelco has partially suspended operations at the El Teniente mine in Chile following a landslide that killed two workers, reported Reuters.
The incident occurred shortly before 2pm local time in the mine’s south pit sector.
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According to the country’s mining regulator, SERNAGEOMIN, the landslide struck three workers employed by contractor Aura Ingeniería, who were inspecting the area at the time.
Emergency responders managed to rescue one worker, while the other two were later found deceased.
In a statement, the state-owned mining company extended its condolences to the families of the victims and confirmed that Chile’s investigative police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office are present at the mine to conduct inquiries into the circumstances of the accident.
The company attributed the landslide to heavy rainfall in central Chile, which affected the open-pit operations at El Teniente.
Codelco stated: “Actions aimed at safeguarding the well-being of the three workers who were in the area at the time of the incident were immediately activated.”
The company is cooperating with authorities as they continue investigations.
El Teniente, located in the Andes Mountains nearly 75km south-east of Santiago, has been in operation for more than a century.
The site features more than 4,500km of tunnels and underground galleries.
In August 2026, Codelco announced the temporary suspension of development and construction work at the Andes Norte project, part of its El Teniente Division, after concerns emerged over rising seismic risks.
The copper producer said recent technical assessments detected seismic activity at greater depths that differs from the risks previously managed in the area.
