Mine operator Codelco aims for partial reactivation at the El Teniente mine site following a deadly collapse incident.
The El Teniente mine, a key component of Chile's mining economy and Codelco's operations, has faced a tragic setback after a collapse occurred on July 31. The incident resulted in six fatalities and extensive damage, affecting about 3.7 km of tunnels.
Following the disaster, Mining Minister Aurora Williams ordered a temporary cessation of activities at the mine. Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, has since requested Chile's National Geology and Mining Service (Sernageomin) for approval to reopen the mine in unaffected areas.
The investigation into the cause of the collapse is ongoing, with Chilean prosecutors and Codelco technical experts working diligently to determine the factors involved. The investigation encompasses structural factors, maintenance records, operational decisions, seismic activity, and emergency response procedures. Preliminary findings suggest that a 4.2-magnitude seismic event may have contributed to the disaster, raising questions about the structural integrity of older sections of the mine and the adequacy of current fortification systems.
Codelco is committed to restoring safe production at El Teniente, which represents about 25% of its copper production. To ensure safety, the company is implementing a series of corrective measures. These include detailed structural assessments of both damaged and undamaged sections, using specialized drones for inaccessible areas. International experts are also being collaborated with to investigate causes and evaluate safety practices.
Any required safety improvements will be implemented before full operations resume, along with worker retraining and safety briefings as part of the recovery process. Regulatory safety verifications are also a prerequisite for operation restart approval.
The collapsed area is believed to be part of the Andesita section of the mine, a strategically important component of El Teniente's expansion plans, including the Andes Norte and Diamante projects. The disruption of the Andesita development is likely to ripple through Codelco's project pipeline, which is already under pressure due to rising costs.
El Teniente, located south of Santiago in the Andes mountains, has a history of mining disasters. The industry's worst accident remains the 1945 fire at El Teniente, which killed 355 miners and is one of the deadliest mining disasters in history. Despite this, Chile's mining sector has a low fatality rate. However, a string of incidents at Codelco sites has drawn concern from unions and regulators.
In 2024, El Teniente produced 356,000 metric tons of copper, accounting for nearly 7% of Chile's total output. The mine contains a labyrinth of over 4,500 kilometers (2,800 miles) of tunnels, adding complexity to the recovery and safety efforts.
As the investigation continues, Codelco is pursuing a phased mine reopening combined with enhanced safety evaluations and improvements guided by regulatory and expert input. The company aims to ensure the safety of its workers and the integrity of the mine, while also maintaining its crucial role in Chile's mining economy.
[1] BBC News. (2025, August 5). El Teniente mine collapse: Chilean mine reopens after deadly accident. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-58066578
[2] Reuters. (2025, August 10). Codelco's El Teniente mine begins gradual restart after deadly collapse. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/copper/codelcos-el-teniente-mine-begins-gradual-restart-after-deadly-collapse-2025-08-10/
[3] The Guardian. (2025, August 3). El Teniente mine collapse: international experts to investigate fatal accident. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2025/aug/03/el-teniente-mine-collapse-international-experts-to-investigate-fatal-accident
[4] The New York Times. (2025, August 3). El Teniente Mine Collapse: Chilean Prosecutors Investigate Deadly Accident. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/03/world/americas/el-teniente-mine-collapse-chile.html
[5] Bloomberg. (2025, August 5). Codelco Said to Plan Phased Restart of El Teniente Mine After Collapse. Retrieved from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-05/codelco-said-to-plan-phased-restart-of-el-teniente-mine-after-collapse
- The mining sector and industry in Chile are closely monitoring the investigation into the El Teniente mine collapse, with concerns about the structural integrity of older sections of the mine and the adequacy of current fortification systems potentially impacting finance and energy sectors.
- As Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, pursues a phased reopening of the El Teniente mine, it is working with international experts to ensure safety improvements and regulatory compliance, with the ultimate goal of maintaining a crucial role in Chile's mining economy while protecting the safety of workers.
