El Teniente, the world’s largest underground copper mine in Chile, will gradually resume operations on Sunday evening, a week after a collapse that resulted in six fatalities, Chilean state-owned company Codelco has announced.
Mining activities have been halted since 1st August, following an order from the Ministry of Mines to facilitate the search for victims after the accident on the previous day.
Operations will recommence with around 200 workers, which is 70% of the usual weekend workforce, according to a company statement.
Codelco aims to return to normal operations by Sunday.
The landslide, one of the most severe in the past 30 years, was triggered by a “seismic event,” the origin of which—whether natural or related to drilling—remains under investigation.
Chile is the world’s leading copper producer, having produced 5.3 million tonnes last year, accounting for a quarter of global supply. El Teniente contributed 356,000 tonnes, representing 6.7% of Chile’s copper output.
Chile’s mining industry is considered one of the safest in the world.
