Fatal accident reported at BHP’s Escondida mine

A worker died in an accident at BHP's Escondida copper mine in northern Chile's Antofagasta region on September 23, according to Chile's National Geology and Mining Service (Sernageomin). Sernageomin ordered an immediate deployment of their regional team to investigate the incident, which occurred while the worker was performing maintenance work on a front-end loader.

Sernageomin's acting national director, Mauricio Lorca, announced the fatality on X. The victim's identity has not been disclosed. BHP, which owns a 57.5% stake in Escondida, informed Reuters that operations at the mine are currently suspended. The union representing the site had previously informed Reuters that the accident involved a front-end loader, a common piece of equipment in the mining industry.

All operational activities at the mine have been halted, with BHP providing no timeline for when they may resume. Escondida is the world's largest copper mine, operated by BHP, which holds a 57.5% stake, with Rio Tinto owning 30% and Japanese investors holding the remaining share. BHP is currently in contract negotiations with Escondida workers, with a vote on the offer set for the end of September. The union has urged workers to reject the offer, and a potential strike could ensue.