Fatal accident at Radomiro Tomic mine, Codelco partially suspends operations

A worker has passed away in an unfortunate accident at Codelco’s Radomiro Tomic copper mine, located in the northern region of Chile, according to the nation’s mining regulatory body. Initial reports suggest the incident took place near a conveyor belt within the mine, situated near Calama, the capital of Antofagasta Region, as stated by Chile’s National Disaster Prevention and Response Service (Senapred).

Authorities from Sernageomin, Chile’s National Geology and Mining Service, were promptly dispatched to the site to conduct an investigation and implement necessary administrative actions. The identity of the deceased worker and his or her employer have not been disclosed, as the investigation into the circumstances and cause of the accident continues to unfold.

To date, no other emergencies have been reported in connection with the incident. The fatality underscores a growing concern over safety protocols at major copper mining operations in Chile, following a series of fatal accidents that have occurred at major mining sites in recent months. This includes a tragic incident on September 26th at BHP’s Escondida mine, where a worker lost his life while performing maintenance duties.

Earlier, on July 31st of the same year, Codelco itself suffered a devastating blow when six workers were killed at its El Teniente operation, the world’s largest underground copper mine, leading to a temporary halt in production across multiple areas during the ongoing investigation. Radomiro Tomic serves as a critical component of Codelco’s copper production in northern Chile.

The identities of the worker and the company are yet to be confirmed as authorities await further developments in the ongoing investigation. It is expected that both Codelco and the relevant regulatory bodies will release additional information as the inquiry progresses.