Chile’s Labor Directorate has sanctioned the partial and gradual resumption of underground activities at the El Teniente mine, operated by Codelco.
This decision comes after an earthquake-triggered collapse that claimed six lives.
Operations at El Teniente, recognised as one of the world's largest underground copper mines, were halted in specific sectors due to the incident.
The approved restart includes the Dacita, Diablo Regimiento, Esmeralda, Esmeralda Panel, Pilar Norte, Reno Panel, Reservas Norte and Upper Pacific, while the shutdown persists in Recursos Norte, Andesita, Andes Norte and Diamante.
The return to operations is being managed through a plan that mandates reflection sessions at the start of each shift to brief workers on the return strategy, support measures, safety protocols and supervisory authority actions.
It also emphasises two-way communication within the mine and enhanced presence control using Tracking & Asset Management and Tipping Point Management systems.
Additional measures include personal protective equipment checks, habitability condition reviews, continuous updates on seismic activity, information dissemination to unions and coordination with partner companies to ensure comprehensive worker awareness.
The reactivation commenced with Shift C, involving 710 personnel, 131 of whom entered the mine, followed by Shift A, which included 1,770 workers tasked with reactivation duties.
During this initial phase, ore shipments to the processing plant were roughly 50% below normal levels, while operations at the plant and smelter were fully reinstated.
Inspection efforts have also been stepped up, with two inspectors from the Chilean government agency Sernageomin arriving on Sunday to conduct evaluations in the Andes Norte sector.
Codelco reported that it has efficiently responded to 21 inquiries from various regulatory and investigative bodies including the the Attorney General's Office, the Chamber of Deputies, the Labor Directorate, the PDI, the Regional Ministry of Health and Sernageomin.
Meanwhile, Codelco's Internal Investigative Commission is continuing to meet to determine the precise causes of the accident.
