Codelco relocates 74% of workers as Andes Norte remains halted

Chile's state-owned copper company, Codelco, has reassigned approximately 74% of the workers impacted by the temporary halt of its Andes Norte expansion at the El Teniente mine. This move is due to ongoing safety concerns that have disrupted operations. According to local news outlet BioBioChile, 1,817 out of the 2,460 workers tied to the suspended activities have been relocated.

This development comes as the company faces increasing pressure to maintain production amid challenges in the Chilean mining industry. The Andes Norte suspension began in August after safety assessments identified seismic risks associated with the mine's depth. The company has been under scrutiny for its handling of safety incidents, including two fatal accidents in under a year.

Union leaders have called for more information and better worker protection, accusing Codelco of withholding crucial details about recent accidents. The company's suspension has also led to labour disputes at other Codelco sites, with workers blocking access to the Ministro Hales mine in protest over unpaid bonuses. Despite these challenges, Codelco has yet to announce a timeline for resuming operations at the Andes Norte expansion.