One of the five miners trapped following a partial collapse at the world’s largest underground copper mine, El Teniente in Chile, has been found dead, while the search for survivors continues. This incident occurred on Thursday, after a seismic event, the cause of which is yet to be determined as either natural or caused by drilling operations.
The rescue efforts, involving at least 100 people, aim to reach the miners through drilling a 90-meter rock barrier at the mine located 100km south of Santiago, which extends to a depth of 1,200 meters. Unfortunately, Codelco, Chile’s state-owned copper mining company, reported finding human remains during the search, though identification of the deceased by authorities is pending.
The general manager of El Teniente, Andres Music, expressed deep sorrow over the discovery of the miner’s remains, emphasizing that it validates the ongoing effort to locate the other missing workers.
Chile’s President Gabriel Boric visited the families of the miners on Saturday, pledging to continue the search operations. Boric stated that Codelco has the necessary resources, expertise, and technology to conduct the search efficiently.
The discovery of another miner’s body, identified as Paulo Marin Tapia, occurred shortly after the collapse on Friday. Operations at El Teniente, one of the oldest and deepest copper mines in the world, have been suspended indefinitely.
In 2023, El Teniente produced 356,000 metric tonnes of copper, representing nearly 7% of Chile’s total output. Chile remains the world’s leading copper producer, accounting for nearly 25% of the global supply with approximately 5.3 million metric tonnes in 2024. Copper is essential for electrical wiring, motors, and renewable energy technologies.
With Associated Press
