Key Facts
• July 31: Collapse occurred at El Teniente mine, 100 km south of Santiago.
• Five workers were trapped; one death confirmed by Codelco on August 2.
• Incident linked to vibrations; cause (earthquake or excavation) remains unclear.
• Workers were extending the mine to a depth of 1,200 meters during the collapse.
• Over 100 personnel are involved in ongoing rescue operations.
• Codelco reported partial remains found; identification is underway.
• El Teniente mine, operational since the early 1900s, has 4,500 km of tunnels.
• All mining activities at the site are currently suspended.
• Chile, the world’s largest copper producer, accounted for 25% of global supply in 2024.
Summary
A collapse at the El Teniente mine, the world’s largest underground copper mine in Chile, occurred on July 31, trapping five workers. Codelco, the state-owned mining company, confirmed one death on August 2 and reported the discovery of partial remains, with identification ongoing. The cause of the collapse, whether due to seismic activity or excavation, remains undetermined. Rescue efforts involving over 100 personnel are underway. The mine, operational since the early 1900s, features a 4,500-kilometer tunnel network. All operations at the site have been suspended. Chile, the leading global copper producer, supplied 25% of the world’s copper in 2024.
