Chile minister: open pit remains operational at Tentente mine

Chile minister: open pit remains operational at Tentente mine

Chile's Minister of Mining, Aurora Williams, has confirmed that the open pit section of El Teniente mine remains operational despite the recent tragedy that resulted in the deaths of five miners. The open pit section, which accounts for a significant portion of the mine's copper production, has not been affected by the collapse that occurred in the underground mine.

The collapse, which took place on Thursday, August 1, was caused by a strong tremor of 4.2 magnitude. The tremor, which was one of the largest ever recorded at El Teniente, resulted in the death of one miner at the time of the incident and the subsequent trapping of five more miners. Rescue efforts, involving specialized equipment and heavy machinery, were initiated immediately, but unfortunately, all five trapped miners were found dead.

The El Teniente mine is the world's largest underground copper mine and a significant contributor to Chile's copper production. The mine's underground tunnels extend over 4,500 kilometers, and it produced approximately 356,000 tonnes of copper last year, accounting for nearly 7 percent of Chile's total copper production.

The open pit section of the mine, which is not affected by the collapse, continues to operate normally. The minister has emphasized that the safety of the workers and the integrity of the mine are top priorities. She has also announced that the mine will be temporarily shut down for further investigation into the cause of the collapse. The investigation will determine whether the collapse was caused by the earthquake or by mining activity.

The tragedy at El Teniente has sparked national mourning in Chile, with President Gabriel Boric declaring three days of national mourning. The president and the mine's state-run operator, Codelco, have vowed to launch investigations to determine the cause of the collapse and hold those responsible accountable.

Despite the tragic events, the open pit section of the El Teniente mine remains operational, ensuring that Chile's copper production continues to contribute significantly to the global economy.

References:
[1] https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/chiles-codelco-reports-death-one-five-trapped-el-teniente-miners-2025-08-02/
[2] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/3/all-five-miners-trapped-after-copper-mine-collapse-in-chile-found-dead
[3] https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-04/chile-national-mourning-declared-after-el-teniente-mine-collapse/105610652