Codelco halts El Teniente expansion due to emerging seismic risk

Codelco El Teniente seismic risk Andes Norte Chile

Chile's state‑owned miner Codelco has temporarily suspended development and construction work on the Andes Norte project within its flagship El Teniente underground copper mine after technical studies identified a new, deeper‑seated seismic risk. The decision follows a fatal rock‑burst on 31 July 2025 that killed six workers, the deadliest accident in the mine for decades. Codelco described the hazard as an “emerging seismic phenomenon” linked to the greater depth of the planned works and said it will maintain seismic monitoring, safety protocols and preventative measures while further studies are carried out.

The pause is expected to affect roughly three thousand workers, though the exact number remains to be confirmed. Deputy Minister of Economy and Mining Daniel Mas reiterated that the suspension will not impact overall production at El Teniente and emphasized that worker safety is the absolute priority. Mas also noted that the government continues to review non‑strategic state assets for possible privatization as part of broader fiscal measures.

Entities

Andes Norte project · Andes North project · Chile · Codelco · Daniel Mas · El Teniente mine

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.

[● 3 SOURCES] Codelco suspended expansion work at El Teniente's Andes Norte section due to a newly identified seismic risk. mining.com.au · laprensaaustral.cl · www.prensa-latina.cu
[○ 1 SOURCE] Codelco will continue operating seismic monitoring systems and safety protocols across the mine. mining.com.au
[● 2 SOURCES] Approximately three thousand workers are affected by the suspension. www.prensa-latina.cu · laprensaaustral.cl
[○ 1 SOURCE] A fatal rock burst on 31 July 2025 at El Teniente killed six workers. mining.com.au
[○ 1 SOURCE] Daniel Mas stated the government is reviewing non‑strategic state assets for possible sale. www.lanacion.cl
[○ 1 SOURCE] Deputy Minister Daniel Mas said the pause will not impact Codelco's overall production. www.lanacion.cl
[○ 1 SOURCE] Criminal, regulatory and technical investigations into the July 2025 incident are ongoing. mining.com.au
[● 2 SOURCES] The identified risk is described as an emerging seismic phenomenon associated with greater depth of the works. laprensaaustral.cl · www.prensa-latina.cu