Chile’s President Gabriel Boric has declared three days of national mourning following a tragic incident at El Teniente, the world’s largest underground copper mine operated by Codelco. The mine has remained closed since the collapse, reportedly caused by a nearby 5-magnitude earthquake. Yet, even under those circumstances, this disaster has cost six workers their lives. Sadly, one of them passed away on impact.
The tragic collapse happened after five miners were trapped deep underground. A local rescue operation that went around the clock for an astounding 70 hours. Throughout it all, a specialized cadre of some 100 personnel searched desperately for the lost workers. The bodies of the trapped miners were eventually discovered, with the final worker, Moises Pavez, found at 3:30 PM on Sunday. President Boric held a press conference to express his sorrow over the deaths and identified each of the miners who lost their lives.
Details of the Incident
The recent incident at El Teniente has raised serious questions on whether safety protocols are being followed in Chile’s increasingly hazardous mining industry. This industry has long been considered one of the safest in our nation, with a fatality rate of only 0.02 percent in 2024. The mine itself produced an impressive 356,000 metric tons of copper last year, underscoring its significance to the country’s economy.
The disaster, which took place just hours after a powerful earthquake struck nearby, led many to question the earthquake’s potential role in triggering the collapse. Gabriel Boric earlier discussed the possible connection between the seismic activity and the mine collapse in his press conference. “We must investigate the cause of this tragedy thoroughly,” he stated, emphasizing the importance of ensuring miners’ safety.
Mourners have continued to line the outside of the entrance to El Teniente. They’ve created this memorial as a way to honor their fallen friend. Mourners have left candles, Chilean flags, and photos of the dead workers at the site. This memorial serves to pay tribute to everyone who died.
Rescue Efforts and Recovery
Codelco’s emergency rapid response team reacted immediately following the cave-in. Thanks to their speedy response, they were the first to find the first likely trapped worker Saturday. Rescue teams located the other four during searches on Sunday. In the meantime, family and friends clamored for news.
Aquiles Cubillos, the lead prosecutor in Chile’s O’Higgins region, is now overseeing an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. This investigation will attempt to determine whether any negligence contributed to the bridge’s sudden collapse. We’re equally interested in figuring out how to stop such tragedies occurring again in the future.
The ability of responders to rescue survivors was limited by moving underground rubble and fear of additional collapses. In light of these challenges, the commitment of Codelco’s personnel made it possible to secure the safe return of all 33 trapped miners.
Future of El Teniente Mine
As relief efforts start to wrap up, focus will turn to determining how and when conditions will allow safe operations to return at El Teniente. Minister of Mining Aurora Williams has been assigned the responsibility to assess safety state before a restart can be allowed. The hope is to improve so that similar tragedies are not repeated in one of Chile’s most crucial economic sectors.
The mood all over Chile is one of mourning as Chileans continue to process the ramifications of this catastrophe on families and communities. The national mourning period serves as a reminder of the risks faced by those working in mining and other hazardous occupations. President Boric’s declaration speaks to this grief, while affirming an intention to raise safety standards across the industry.
