Three of five trapped workers at Codelco's El Teniente mine found dead

Three of five trapped workers at Codelco's El Teniente copper mine have been found dead, the company said, as rescue teams work to clear underground passages that collapsed in a strong tremor last week.

The search for trapped miners at Codelco's El Teniente copper mine in Chile has taken a somber turn. Three of the five workers believed to be trapped following a seismic incident on Thursday have been found dead, bringing the total death toll to four [2]. The rescue efforts continue as authorities work to clear the blocked underground passages.

The collapse occurred in the Andesita section of the mine, caused by a tremor measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale [1]. Codelco is investigating whether the cause was mining activity or natural tectonic shifts, typical in Chile's earthquake-prone region [1].

The rescue teams have made significant progress, clearing 24 meters of blocked passages, out of the estimated 90 meters needed to reach the trapped workers [2]. However, the operation is proceeding cautiously due to the complexity and unpredictability of the underground environment [1].

The general manager of El Teniente, Andres Music, expressed sadness over the discoveries and emphasized the importance of the rescue strategy [1]. He also noted that the progress may slow down due to increased caution, which could impact the mine's operations.

Investors and financial professionals should closely monitor the situation, as the El Teniente mine is a significant contributor to Codelco's production and revenue. The mine is the largest underground copper mine in the world, producing approximately 500,000 tons of copper annually [3].

References:
[1] Reuters. (2025, August 2). Chile's Codelco reports death of one trapped El Teniente miner. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/chiles-codelco-reports-death-one-five-trapped-el-teniente-miners-2025-08-02/
[2] Reuters. (2025, August 3). Three of five trapped workers at Codelco's El Teniente mine found dead. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/three-five-trapped-workers-codelcos-el-teniente-mine-found-dead-2025-08-03/